I START PLANNING ON BOXING DAY!
For Jaki Burton, 37, next year’s preparations will begin while most of us are still digesting the turkey
Wrapping up another present, I carefully tied a gold ribbon around it and popped it into a Santa sack. ‘Who’s that for?’ my partner, Josh, then 30, asked, confused. ‘Oh, this one’s for next year!’ I smiled. It was 26 December 2021, and as soon as the shops had opened that morning, I’d nipped into town and hit the sales.
I loved bargain hunting all year round, but the Boxing Day sales were the best.
Bath sets, pyjamas, games, jumpers… everything was reduced by up to 90%. Even the wrapping paper to wrap it in!
With my three kids, Finley, then 11, Evie, nine, and Jasmine, three, to buy for, Christmas was always an expensive time, plus Finley and Jasmine both have December birthdays.
So by bagging a Boxing Day bargain, I could get a head start on next year and save myself a fortune.
I sized up, buying matching sets of Christmas pyjamas for all three kids, costing less than £10 in total – perfect for their Christmas Eve boxes, 363 days away! I bought gift sets with a combined value of £200 for just £50, and I picked up loads of novelty toys and games that would be back at full price next year.
Baubles, tinsel, crackers, candles and tableware were an absolute steal, and by buying a few cheap decorations after Christmas every year, I could build my collection and make my home look beautifully festive without breaking the bank.
PERFECT PRESENTS
I’ve always loved the magic of Christmas and I love seeing my children’s faces light up when they come downstairs to a huge pile of presents on Christmas Day.
Every year, I budget £250 per child for Christmas presents and £150 each for birthdays. In one lump, £1,200 would be more than I could afford, but spreading the cost means my kids don’t have to miss out on presents I know they’d love.
Throughout the year, I sign up to newsletters and follow groups on Facebook and Instagram that highlight the best shopping deals. Whenever I see something at a good price, I buy it and squirrel it away, and I get big-ticket items, like Playstation games for Finley or designer clothes for Josh, on Black Friday, so I make sure to hold a bit of budget back until then.
By using cashback sites and discount codes, I always get money off full-price
‘I LOVE SEEING MY KIDS’ FACES LIGHT UP’
The children love Jaki’s early prep (and their PJS!) items, and I love booking experiences, days out and concert tickets as presents – they often have the option of making a deposit and paying in instalments.
FOOD AND FIZZ
As soon as all the festive food hits the supermarket shelves, around October time, I start stocking up on things that have a long shelf life, like panettone and frozen party food. Plus, I pop a bottle of fizz in the trolley during my usual weekly shop and hide it away until Christmas, as buying alcohol in bulk can be pricey. This year, I already have loads of presents wrapped up in the loft, topped with sparkly bows and ready for the big day. On Christmas Eve, I’ll have my feet up and enjoy a glass of fizz in front of a festive film, snuggled up with my kids, knowing that all the hard work is done… until Boxing Day!