With 85 days until Christmas, money-saving expert Jasmine Birtles is urging Britons to start their festive shopping early to avoid a financial crunch. According to American Express research, 16.5 million Brits have already begun, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge.
Birtles recommends charity shops as a first port of call for unopened gift sets and creative finds. She suggests making hampers using boxes, cellophane, and old ribbons, filled with homemade treats or budget items from Lidl's Italian range, all under £2.
Freecycle.org and Gumtree offer free or cheap gifts, including a 5ft Christmas tree for £20. The Young Planet app provides free second-hand children's toys and clothes. Cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback can yield up to £100 back at Currys or 10% at Boohoo.
Loyalty points from Boots, Nectar, and Tesco can be redeemed for gifts or experiences. For food, Birtles advises booking a turkey early via Countrysideonline.co.uk, as prices may rise 13-25% due to feed costs. A frozen bird or crown is more economical.
