Look After the Pennies: Ten Simple Ways to Save a Little This Christmas

With just over a month away, chances are you’re at least thinking about starting your Christmas shopping.

And as always you will want to do things as cost-effectively as possible. To help you, here are our favourite festive cent-saving tips:

1. Buy rolls of paper rather than sheets and avoid excessive bows and ribbons. Also, recycle old gift bags from previous years. Alternatively make use of the free gift-wrapping shops tend to offer at this time of the year to save money and hassle!

2. There are lots of discounts and ‘3 for 2’ offers so take advantage. Whether its gift tags of gift boxes, buying in bulk is key. But do your maths to make sure you are actually saving and only buy what you need. Leftover presents are wasted money.

3. One of the simplest and most effective ways of saving money is to plan. Make a list of who you have to buy and have ideas for them. That way you won’t be tempted to pick up things as you go along which can lead to more spending.

4. Buy joint presents for people. One present, although probably bigger, will always be cheaper than two separate presents. Also, joining forces with siblings or your other half will split the bill. We knew they would come in handy at some point!

5. While it’s nice to actually see and feel what you’re buying, more often than not online prices are cheaper than shop prices. That is why you always ought to compare but make sure you are ordering from a respectable site and that you can return the product if necessary.

6. Browsing encourages spending so rely on your willpower and do not buy anything for yourself. Remember that you’re out shopping for others and that you’re trying to keep costs to a minimum.

7. Secret Santa is a fantastic way of saving money and it’s great fun. Organise it among your friends or your family and enjoy only having to buy one present as opposed to five. Also, agree a suitable price range amongst yourselves.

8. If you are going to the shops to buy gifts, take money as opposed to your card. That way you have a fixed limit and know how much you are spending. However do be careful as thefts are more likely at this time of the year.

9. If you have the courage to (and we don’t by the way), hold off on your shopping. A lot of places will have last-minute deals and cut prices. The only problem is that there is less choice and you are not guaranteed to get what you want.

10. Get creative. When you are buying a gift set, you can end up spending more than what it would cost you to buy a box plus the products contained within it. So do your maths, make more of an effort and enjoy the extra few euros. Simple!