CHRISTMAS will be more expensive than ever due to a cost of living crisis – but if you plan ahead you could save up to £408.
From watches to perfumes and toys, you could save as much as 70% if you time your shopping hauls right.
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The Sun can reveal the cheapest times to buy your Christmas presents based on research from comparison site Idealo.
The figures are based on analysis of thousands of product prices over the gift-giving period last year and the average cost at hundreds of retailers.
There are big savings to be had on high value items if you shop at the right times.
We explain exactly when to buy your hauls – including the worst times to go shopping too.
It’s important to note that costs change throughout the year, and you should always compare prices online before splashing out.
Bear in mind that just because it was cheaper last year doesn’t mean it definitely will be in 2022.
But it is a good indication of roughly when stores start to discount stocks.
If there’s a particular item you’ve got your eye on, keep checking back to see if the price has changed or if it’s in the sale.
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The exact price you pay will depend on the size and quality of your chosen item, where you buy it from and whether there are any sales on.
Always do your own research before buying to find the cheapest price.
What to buy between now and October
Here’s the key dates for when you should buy a number of popular Christmas presents between now and October.
BMX
You might want to get any thrill seekers in the family a BMX.
Make sure to buy yours on September 24, where you can get it for £159.
Buying it on the most expensive day – December 12 – could see you shelling out £408 more with prices at £567.
Printer
If you’re looking for a printer, buy yours on October 28 as it will cost you £634.
That’s £183 cheaper than if you left it until the most expensive time to buy on December 14, which will cost £183.
Mobile phones
Buy a mobile phone on September 23 for £245 – it will be £152 cheaper than what it would cost on November 1.
Game consoles
Gamers can get consoles for £164 on October 8.
That’s £101 cheaper than buying it on December 22, at £265.
Smart watches
Time it right, and you could save £30 off your smart watch.
The cheapest time to buy is on October 16, when it will cost £176.
Leave it until November 3 could see you pay £206 for it.
Video games
Video games are a great way to keep the kids entertained on the big day.
Buy them on October 9 for £18. The most expensive time to buy them is on December 20 when they cost £30 – so shop early to save £12.
Coffee machine
Buy your coffee machine on October 10 for the best deal.
It will cost £87 – £11 cheaper than if you bought it on November 27.
Hair straighteners
Shop on September 28 for your hair straighteners.
They’ll be £10 cheaper at £65 compared to if you bought them on the most expensive date, which is December 12.
Headphones
Don’t wait to buy your headphones.
Get them on September 21, and they’ll cost you £64.
Leave them until Christmas Eve – the most expensive time – will see you fork out £73 for them.
Barbies
Barbies are cheapest on October 27 – they will cost you £47.
Waiting to buy them on December 5 will mean paying £9 more for them at £56.
What to buy between November and December
Here’s what you should buy between November and December to get the best deal.
Laptops
Wait to buy your laptop until December 23 – it’s the cheapest day to buy them and you’ll be paying £957.
The most expensive time to buy them in on November 2 – they cost £152 more at £1,109.
Wireless speaker
If you’re planning on throwing a Christmas party and you’re in need of a speaker, buy one on November 30.
If you bought one on November 5, it would cost you £37 more at £313.
Airfryer
With energy bills soaring, air fryers are becoming increasingly popular as households look to cheaper ways to cook.
If you’re looking to buy one, November 25 is the best date to get one – it will cost you £160.
Wait until December 21 to buy one will see you pay £21 more at £181.
Lego
Get your Lego hauls on November 26.
They’ll cost £81 to buy – £8 cheaper than if you bought them on October 3.
Woks
If you have a budding chef in the family, woks can be a good present – but get a move on if you want to buy one.
The cheapest date to buy a wok is on November 19, where it will cost you £65.
Buy it earlier on September 25 could leave you £7 out of pocket.
Earrings
Looking for some bling? Buy earrings on November 19 for £58.
They’ll be £7 cheaper than buying them on the most expensive date – which is November 1.
Trainers
Wait until Christmas Eve to buy your new trainers.
They’ll cost £66 on the day – a fiver cheaper than the most expensive date on November 1, when they’ll set you back £71.
Beard trimmers
It’s the perfect present for dad, but make sure you buy beard trimmers on November 19.
They’ll cost £52, but on October 6 – the most expensive date to buy – they’ll cost £56, which is £4 more.
