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The festive season is fast approaching, and, for many, Christmas is all about making memories.

People assume that making something memorable means you have to throw a lot of money at it, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Christmas isn’t just about opening presents and creating a wonderful spread for the dining table, it’s also about spending time with loved ones and being there for family and friends.

With this in mind, we’ve created a series of blogs which we’ll share with you over the festive period. In them, you’ll find out how you can save money in different areas this Christmas.

In our first blog, we’re looking at Christmas gifts in particular, an area that can soon become costly without a plan in place.

When’s the best time to buy Christmas gifts?

Just before Christmas is one of the biggest money-saving days to buy gifts, as many in-person and online stores offer significant savings on their products. This year, Black Friday will be on November 29th, so mark that date on your calendar if you’re looking to get some gifts at discounted prices. Cyber Monday, on December 2nd, provides another opportunity for getting some discounts.

Some shops and websites even start their Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts a week before, so you may not always have to wait until the day.

You can also check out price-tracking sites if you have a specific gift in mind. That way, you can be notified when prices are at their lowest.

Where’s the best place to buy Christmas gifts?

It may seem early for some, but high-street stores are already selling Christmas gifts. For example, The Works and Card Factory have many gifts for under £5.

For those who don’t have time to go in-store, you can check out online stores such as Amazon, Etsy, and many more.

Christmas gift sets can also help you save money as you can buy multiple items at discounted prices.

Plan a Secret Santa

Instead of buying gifts for all your family and friends, why not suggest a Secret Santa? That way, each person gets a surprise gift, and you can set rules, such as a £5 limit per gift (or whatever amount you prefer).

Homemade Gifts

Why buy a gift when you can make one yourself? This makes it more personalised and saves you money.

Contact us

We know that the festive season can bring with it added money worries. If you’re struggling with debts, call us on 0800 316 1833. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can visit our advice page to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your money, BudgetSmart has hundreds of easy actions you can take to improve your monthly budget.