Christmas Eve Recon Mission – If you’re really feeling keen, going on a scouting mission on Christmas Eve can be a great way to prepare for the sales. Check the back of labels in your fave stores for any markings or numbers which suggest they’ll be going in the sale! Most shops mark everything on Christmas Eve in preparation for Boxing Day.

Arrive early – Okay, so we’re not saying you have to be up at the crack of dawn. But make sure to arrive at your chosen shopping destination by mid morning at the latest to get hold of … Read the rest

We’ve had an amazing number of students sign-up for stalls at our Pop-Up Market.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll still have a bit of Christmas shopping to get through and the dilemma of what to get for those hard-to-buy-for relatives that seem to have everything.

That’s where we can help.

Our members have some incredible, unique gift ideas, which they will be selling on Tuesday 13 December between 11:00-15:00 on the Redbrick. You can expect:

❄️ RAG Naked Calendar – because who doesn’t want to see in the new year with some naked tushes? All proceeds go to charity, … Read the rest

Find yourself trawling the pages of Etsy and Pinterest dreaming of having your own business?

If you make handcrafted items that you would like to sell, we have the perfect opportunity for you to begin making a name for yourself.

We are holding a Pop Up Market on the Redbrick at our Union on Tuesday 06 December.

Register for a stall by Tuesday 29 November here.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news on our official Facebook event.… Read the rest

Fancy some new clothes?

Christmas is just around the corner and where students across Southampton and Winchester are penny pinching ready for the festive season, we are offering you the perfect opportunity to get yourself a whole new winter wardrobe. How?! – we hear you cry…our Swap Shop is back.

You can watch Planet Earth guilt-free as you save the environment while you shop!

Donate your unwanted clothes on Friday 25 September at 09:00 and then get shopping from 11:00 on the same day.

Fancy volunteering?

If you want to build up some volunteering experience, we’re looking for students to … Read the rest

Out with the old, in with the new!

Did you know, if you own clothes you’ve not worn in over a year, you’re never likely to wear them again? If this is ringing any bells with you, maybe it’s time to have a spring clean and clear out that wardrobe.

But don’t get throwing any of your unwanted items away – bring them along to our Swap Shop!

The Swap Shop is the sustainable answer to shopping – and it’s free! What more could you want?

If you’ve not visited one of our Swap Shops before, this is how it … Read the rest

So it’s that time of the year again when at some point, we’ll all be frequenting West Quay for a bit of Christmas shopping. Your bank account need not suffer though! Fear not, we’ve got the perfect gift ideas for under a fiver just for you! Perfect as secret Santa presents or stocking fillers!

Stationery

Because who doesn’t love a fancy pen or a fun and goofy pencil case?

Paperchase pens are one of the smoothest things to write with, we swear by it! Best thing is, they’re refillable too!

Mystic Rose mechanical pen

Cost: £2.50

Take a look … Read the rest

As we reach the last Friday of November, we also reach the day known as Black Friday, where companies and shops will be going all out to give customers the best deals in order to attract business.

Originating in America in the 2000s as a celebration for the day after Thanksgiving, it made its way to the UK in recent years as a way of celebrating the beginning of Christmas shopping. Not everyone is a fan of Black Friday, with some saying it causes violence and trouble, but others enjoy the cheaper prices of items and say that it helps … Read the rest

The festive season is creeping up and we know some of you might be eager to get started on those Christmas decorations. As a student though, we get that it’s hard to make your place look good on a budget so here are some great ideas for a fiver or less! We know it is early, but we thought you would want time to enjoy any decorations you have before term ends.

1) Paper Snowflakes: A classic way to decorate your windows, which costs you pretty much nothing. All you need is paper, scissors and a steady hand – be … Read the rest

Eating healthily on a budget at university: the struggle is real. Did you know that on average you’ll spend around a fifth of your entire budget on food every year? Here are a few tips to keep your shopping expenses down without resorting to a diet of noodles and rainwater.

1. Don’t Shop Hungry

Let’s get the most obvious tip out of the way first because it’s probably the most common mistake made: don’t shop hungry. Doing your groceries on an empty stomach can tack up to 17% onto your final bill, and a lot of that will be junk … Read the rest