Best christmas present buying money saving tip...

[WearingPinkPyjamas]

Here's mine - I have done for the last few years. But annuals a year late on eBay for a couple of quid. They are new (usually surplus stock I think) and have the year's date on so the kids don't realise. e.g. last year's annual will have this year's date.

You can usually get them in the Supermarket for a £1 in January which will save you the post. I usually get mine in some sort of deal anyway - never paid full price :)

I've just bought all my great nieces and nephews new swimming costumes/shorts in Next sale for Christmas - always goes down well as they are an year round kind of gift. They are all half price and don't go out of date (obviously other shops will be selling them off cheaply too after the summer hols) I just add in a chocolate lolly or sweet and job done!

You can usually get the anuuals in the poundshop or supermarkets for £1 each in February. Unfortunately my kids always see the annuals at £1 and buy them with their pocket money.
My top tip is dont leave buying anything until December, choice will be more limited and everything will be full price. I buy throughout the year when I see suitable things at reduced prices.
Perfume sets are always cheap just after Mother's Day.
The July sales is great for picking up clothes and toys.
Home bargains has deals in stuff all year round, if you go in once a month you can see what new toys they have in stock.

Make a list of everyone you want to give to. Buy through the year (in the sales) and update your list with the gifts you purchased under the receiver's name. Review your lust regularly.

Review your LIST regularly.

Damn autocorrect!

Use a spreadsheet. Keep track of everything on there what the rrp was, what you've paid for it. Then you know what you have and havent bought

use camelcamelcamel with Amazon. make sure that the price that you are paying is the best price that its ever been.

Don't be tempted to buy stuff just because its cheap. make sure you have a recipient in mind for it.

Start shopping from July onwards if you dont want to start in January. That wawy you get the summer sales and stock changes.

Use Boots and Superdrug reward cards.

Don't forget your cash back sites!

Also never be afraid to google the site you are on plus the words Vouchers, codes, discount

Ie: Book people code

You would be amazed how many times there is a working code out there!

I buy annuals after Xmas too and use them as a distraction from too much TV.

Camelcamelcamel is the bargain hunters god send.

basically you put the link into the item you want on amazon. it tells you if its a good bargain. you can then ask it to email you and tell you when the item drops to that price again.

my tips would be

make a spreadsheet

Make a budget and stick to it for family and friends.

Dont be taken in by supposed bargains.

It's only a bargain if you actually need/want it! I've bought things in the past because they were a good deal but didn't end up having anyone to give them to!

Think about buying less and agreeing with friends and relatives to buy less – eg DCs and your own parents only and perhaps adult siblings. Or do a secret santa, so everyone gets one decent present, instead of lots of small ones. Or token presents, like a bottle of prosecco.

People often think they have to buy for adult cousins and friends’ DCs and Great Aunt Maude etc etc and get stressed thinking about good presents, or end up buying tat just so they have something to give.

And that makes the adult cousins, or Great Aunt Maude feel obliged to buy you something so you all end up exchanging things that no-one ever really wants.

Have a look at that Boots gift set and imagine it without the packaging. Does it make a nice present - some are bizarre - cheap everyday shower gel and deoderant for example. And is it worth the money? Often they are not, even at supposed 'half price'.

But if you are wanting to buy something, M&S always seem to have offers in the weeks leading up to Christmas for half price chocolates, biscuits or other treats, so keep an eye out for those. But don’t buy the ‘tower of treats’ one as it is mostly crap.

Write lists early, save the cash as though you plan to pay full price, wait for it to go on sale, if it does, you save money, if not, you get the thing you want anyway!

I bought lots of gifts sets in Boots with 50% off. Fat Face/Sanctuary/Soap and Glory etc. I dont spend a lot on family TBH. Also bough some Lynx girly stuff for DD's friends. There is always a gift in their bag coming home from school so its here incase.

I got large boxes in Dunelm few weeks ago and I will fill them with bits. Chocolate, deodorant, .Make up, socks, vouchers, DVD, ....... saves me thinking what to get them as they are getting a big present and this box. I can buy through the year. Cheap stuff for a £1 or so. Ill get some bits in Primark/Superdrug etc.

Black Friday! I was amazed last year with how much you can save. This year I will buy small bits and things that won't be reduced and for the bigger items I'll hold off and see what happens to the prices.