Financial expert reveals clever ways to save money on Christmas shopping

In the UK, we spend an average of £476 on Christmas gifts¹. And if you aren’t prepared for how expensive it can be, the most wonderful time of the year could become the most stressful.  

After spending last Christmas in lockdown, it may be tempting to go bigger and better than you ever have before, but you don’t want to start the new year on the wrong foot and soon live to regret it. 

If you are determined to make the most of Christmas and treat your loved ones, then read on as Local Financial Advice shares their expert Christmas shopping saving tips.

(Image 1. Christmas Shopping)

Make a list and check it twice

Organisation is the key to avoiding overspending and eliminating unnecessary purchases. Write a list of exactly how many people you are buying for and how much you are going to spend on each person, and make sure you stick to it!

Agree on a maximum spend 

Agreeing on a maximum spend with your loved ones will help to eliminate stress for everyone. You could even agree to participate in Secret Santa, where everyone receives a gift, but you only have to buy for one person within the group. 

Set yourself a budget and stick to it 

It’s not just Christmas gifts you are shopping for. There’s also decorations, Christmas party outfits, food, and drinks! So, plan how much you can spend to take some of the Christmas stress away. There are apps such as Santa’s Bag that have useful tools to help you budget.  

Shop around

That festive shopping feeling needn’t be hampered by battling through the crowds. Online shopping can still feel festive too whilst saving you time, energy, and money. You could even use hotukdeals, a great deal-sharing community where people share voucher codes and deals online and in-store. This is very useful if you have a particular gift in mind.

Earn cashback as you spend

Cashback and voucher sites like Quidco and TopCashback help you earn back some pennies from high street and online purchases. 

Give something back to charity

Shopping for that dazzling Christmas party outfit at your local charity shop can help you stay under budget and make a positive difference. You may also get lucky and find the perfect Christmas gift, which was an unwanted gift donated by somebody from last Christmas!

Get crafty

If you have the creativity and the time, homemade gifts such as candles, or a cosy knitted jumper, are thoughtful gifts that can be easy on the wallet whilst having a big impact on your loved ones. 

Nigel Borwell, founder of Local Financial Advice said “We want to take this opportunity to stress that you should not feel pressured into spending more than you can afford at this time of year. We hope that these simple tips will help you budget and save money whilst Christmas shopping. 

We would also like to encourage shoppers to support their local Christmas artisan markets, shops and suppliers. Shopping locally reduces your carbon footprint and helps your local community thrive.”