We all know the strain that the holiday season can put on the family budget, hundreds of relatives, demanding children and fussy partners. You want to save money but you also want to give the best quality gifts.

So I thought I’d let you in on a few of my favourite secrets when it comes to saving money on gifts.

1. Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk is a fantastic way to solve the problem of gift buying for things like secret Santa. Work colleagues, charities and extended family. You can purchase 10 of the same product save hugely on costs as well as on time. With you being able to complete your shopping with fewer purchases.

2. Clearance Sales

Don’t be afraid to look for bargains over Christmas. There’s no better feeling then knowing not only did you get a great gift but you got it at a great and unexpected price. OO has huge bargains to be found both online and in the showroom. Reasons for the huge savings vary but can include anything from slightly damaged packaging to excess stock amounts. But with products often being slashed well below cost price its definately worth the look.

3. Shopping Online

The Christmas season brings us joy, it also brings longer ques, crazy parking lines and mall adventures where you feel like a sardine cramped in a tin. So that’s why I highly recommend hitting the online stores for your Christmas shopping. Not only can you get all the products delivered to your doorstep without having to experience the pain of Christmas shopping, but you can often find much bigger discounts online.

4. Getting Sentimental

My last but defiantly most favourite Christmas shopping idea involves getting a little sentimental. Everyone enjoys getting cute little knickknacks and novelty items for Christmas but there’s something more special about receiving a more personal gift. Sentimental gifts can mean anything from making someone something yourself or buying something with a little more meaning behind it. For example things like buying a scrap book and filling it with photos of you and the receiver together, an item that reminds you of a holiday together. Little things like this can save you big time dollar wise, whilst at the same time giving someone a gift they will appreciate.