Side view of a couple doing some window shopping at christmas. The mid adult male has his arm around the mid adult female and they are talking about wats in the window.
As any parent can attest to, Christmas can be a really costly time of year. From getting the house ready for the festive season to buying everyone that perfect gift it can soon rack up. However this year we’ve managed to keep costs as low as possible and saved money whenever we could.
I try and buy presents throughout the year so we’re not faced with a huge amount to pay in December. However if you have left things a little later there are still ways you can save on your Christmas shopping. Here’s just a few ways to cut back and save.
One way of ensuring the spending doesn’t get out of control is to create a budget and stick to it. It can be a total budget for all presents, however I find it easier to allocate a budget per person. Once you’ve reached that budget, stop! In the past I’ve found it so easy to keep buying small items here and there, long after my official gift buying has finished. Those small items soon add up so remember to stop when you’ve hit your budget.
I’ve done probably around 90% of my Christmas shopping online this year. It’s so much more convenient when I’m juggling work and the kids. Plus I usually find that items are cheaper online, because you can add coupon codes. Don’t Pay Full offer coupon codes for all your favourite stores and even highlight any sales and promotions that can be running. Remember before you checkout to check whether there’s any codes available.
Another reason I prefer to shop online is because I’m able to earn cashback on my purchases. Top Cashback is a fantastic way of earning money on items you would have bought anyway, and even they offer cashback on places like Amazon and Ebay. It all adds up! Plus when you withdraw your earnings you can also have an additional bonus if you choose a gift card.
Big sales events can be tempting but it’s definitely worth doing your research to ensure the deal is as good as it looks. Research suggests that many of the Black Friday “deals” this year, were actually available for the same or lower price at various points throughout the year. Therefore before you bag yourself that must-have “bargain”, check that the deal is as good as it seems.
Secret Santa isn’t just for work colleagues! If your budget is tight why not suggest Secret Santa to your friends or family? Nobody is left out but it also saves you money.
Places like Ebay and Shpock are great for picking up bargains. From tech to books and toys, you can find most things you’re looking for at a cheaper price. Facebook selling groups and Marketplace is another place you can find bargains, especially in the run up to Christmas.
Buying Christmas gifts for your kids can be expensive. Don’t be afraid to buy second hand. When you think of second hand you may think of old tatty items that have seen better days but that isn’t always the case. You can pick up some great items, especially toys, that are preloved at a fraction of the price. Young children in particular would have no idea if the toy was bought new or not, and honestly probably couldn’t care less! Car boot sales and school fairs are a great way of picking up second hand items, plus you get to see the items before you buy which is a massive bonus.
A lot of big stores, especially supermarkets, have loyalty cards. Use them! They don’t cost anything and you simply scan every time you shop. Some of the loyalty cards, including Nectar and Boots also have their own app where extra discounts can be found.
Hopefully some of these tips will come in useful when it comes to getting your Christmas shopping sorting. For tips on how to save money all year round, check out this fab post by More Than A Mummy.
Have you any tips I’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!
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I use all my points and money that I have saved up on my loyalty cards and I am always on the look out for vouchers and special offer codes
I'm so lucky that a few years ago, our family collectively decided to not do Christmas presents for each other but to donate a small amount to a charity of our choice. It takes so much pressure off the finances and we enjoy sharing our charities and their causes with each other every Christmas.
C x
Secret Santa is a great one instead of buying a zillion presents. I use sales throughout the year too to be prepared
Great tips here, I get things throughout the year for the younger ones and then look around for discounts and use vouchers for the older ones x
Some really great advice and tips you’ve got here . Definitely write a list . That’s our top priority and second hand is always great
I have used Top Cashback for my shopping and saved quite a bit of money. Shopping around is key
We tend to save our supermarket and store loyalty points up all year to use at Christmas. Plus shopping throughout the year via a cashback site really helps build up a pot of savings too
Brilliant post with lots of tips on how to save money at this time of year. I always try to make use of discount coupons. I agree it's wise to be wary of sales.
Such great suggestions over here. It's easy to get lost into the shopping spree during the holidays.
Such great suggestions over here. It's easy to get lost into the shopping spree during the holidays.