IT may be more of a tight Christmas than a white Christmas this year, with two-thirds of families cutting back on festive spending.
Gift budgets have been slashed by an average of ten per cent and food spending at pubs and restaurants will be down by a third.
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But you can still eat, drink and be merry.
Use our Countdown to Christmas calendar to show you how to save on each day.
Friday, Nov 24: BLACK FRIDAY
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BLACK Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, with deals offering up to 80 per cent off.
Retailers are worried that shoppers will be spending less this year, so we can expect some mega deals.
READ MORE CHRISTMAS 2023
Use pricerunner.com to find top offers.
This Instax Mini 11 camera ice white with ten shots film was £88.99, now £64.99, at Lidl, saving £24.
Monday, Nov 27: CYBER MONDAY
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CYBER Monday sees many stores reduce prices even further.
If your wanted item is still in stock at the end of Black Friday, check back today to see if it’s now even cheaper.
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Tuesday, Nov 28: PAY DAY
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FOR many, this is the last pay day before the big day.
Scour voucher sites for pay day deals and money-off vouchers on gifts and those other Christmas essentials.
Friday, Dec 1: CUT-PRICE ADVENT CALENDAR
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OPEN the door to some amazing savings on advent calendars.
Stores have to shift them by today so they will be half-price or less.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s usually have offers from as little as £1.
Saturday, Dec 2: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
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LOVE to shop local and support traders in your neighbourhood?
It’s Small Business Saturday — smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com — where independent stores offer their best pre-Christmas deals.
Monday, Dec 4: GET PARTY READY
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WITH the Christmas party season in full swing, now’s the time to snap up dazzling deals on party clothes, make-up and perfume.
The Perfume Shop and The Fragrance Shop usually have offers of 50 per cent off.
Monday, Dec 11: GET YOUR HOME READY
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DOING up your home for Christmas?
The Ikea sale starts today, with up to 50 per cent off.
Expect other homeware stores to launch offers on festive ranges too.
Sunday, Dec 17: FESTIVE FOOD PRICE WARS
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WITH only a week to go, the festive food price wars begin in the big supermarkets.
Check out cut-price veg deals, such as Aldi’s Super 6 — cutting the cost of parsnips, sprouts and carrots to 19p per pack.
Frozen turkeys go on offer now too.
Monday, Dec 18: SEND CARDS 2nd CLASS
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GET your Christmas cards in the post to friends and family today to take advantage of cheaper second-class stamps.
You’ll save 50p per card compared to sending them later first class.
Tuesday, Dec 19: FRESH TURKEYS ON SALE
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FRESH turkeys drop in supermarkets today.
Lowest prices start from £3.75 a kilo at Lidl.
What better time to bag a bird before the festive feast?
Saturday, Dec 23: SUPER SATURDAY
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KNOWN as Super Saturday, this is the last main shopping day before Santa visits.
Retailers will be desperate to clear the shelves for Boxing Day sales stock, so grab any last-minute gifts at up to 75 per cent off.
Best buys include gift sets, cashmere clothes, toys and games.
Some stores will also begin their Boxing Day sales online today.
Sunday, Dec 24: YELLOW STICKER SUNDAY
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IT’S the ultimate yellow sticker Sunday.
Pop in store before closing time to snap up fresh Christmas food reduced by up to 80 per cent.
Expect offers on fresh turkeys, veg, Christmas cake and puddings, plus posh starters like smoked salmon.
Monday, Dec 25: XMAS 2024 BARGAINS
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GOT the bargain-hunting bug?
After you’ve finished celebrating, check out the online sales for discounted gift cards and wrapping paper — all ready for Christmas 2024!
