Christmas is the time of year when you expect to be spending more than usual. With all the different people to buy for, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of your savings.

Make a list

The first thing you need to work out is exactly how many people you need to buy for and what type of gift you would like to buy for them. A great way to work this out is by creating a list. You can list the gifts next to each person’s name and set a budget for each item. This will help to keep your Christmas spending on track.

Be organised

Being organised can help you save money and time, you won’t need to battle through the crowds on your local high street if you plan ahead. Adding a couple bottles of wine to your supermarket shop won’t hurt as much as buying them all the week before Christmas. Keep an eye out for deals on items you specifically want to purchase and buy them when the price is low. Google shopping is a good tool to find the best price for different branded products online.

Black Friday can be your friend

Black Friday is often thought of as people fighting over giant TVs and spending money on unneeded items, but it can be a good day for online shopping. More retailers are getting involved in Black Friday in the run up to Christmas with discounts on many popular items. Saving up to purchase gifts on this date may help to save money on your Christmas spending in the long run.

Have a clear out

Do you have some items which you haven’t used since last Christmas? Now is a good time to have a clear out and sell any of those unwanted items to boost your Christmas budget.

Send your Christmas post early

Avoid spending more on sending parcels and cards by sending out any post in good time. Christmas cut off dates can vary depending on where you live. Visit the Post Office website to find out the cut off dates in your area.