What do you buy in January for this Christmas?

Debbie_S

Is there anything you buy each January in the sales and keep all year to make a saving for Christmas?

sophiesmum_2

i buy cards,paper,tags, reduced gift packs of toiletries etc. Decorations, paper serviettes and disposable cups/plates etc.

There are loads of bargains after xmas,which you can get for the next xmas or birthdays during the year. If you stick to plain silver/gold gift wrap or foil gift bags you can use them for birthday pressies too.

Xmas puddings often have over 12 months use by date on them too so can safely be bought for the next year.

sophiesmum

tinselfairy

I have a certain amount allocated each month from my wages towards Christmas and this is either spent or saved depending on the bargains around. In January I buy as many gifts as I can and I used to buy wrapping paper and special cards for my family. I'm now running down my paper stock so in the future I can use home decorated plain brown paper and my family cards I will be making from this year onwards. It's the best time of year to buy the joke table present we give as all santa themed hats, masks and the like get hugely reduced.

Becles

Crackers and tablewear is usually half price or less.

Cards and wrapping paper.

Any decorations that I like.

Any gifts that can be used for next Christmas or birthdays. Check dates on food/drink items.

Festive food like crackers and wrapped biscuits that work out cheaper than regular crackers/biscuits. They get used up in the childrens lunchboxes.

A big tin of sweets to put out at Easter. Will get two this year, so I have one to pass round visitors coming to see my new baby in May!

morganb

I am a real believer in making my money go as far as possible; I buy everything in sales throughout the year. Cards, paper, gift tags, etc., in January. NEXT sales in January tend to provide the majority of Christmas presents for the following Christmas. My friends and I now have a 'stocking filler' only pact for the children, as they already have a lot of toys, so these are purchased as and when throughout the year, as well as clothes ... I picked up a gorgeous blue coat in the Mackays sale for my toddler, £2, and he is still wearing it to school this year!!!

Why pay more? Surely the fact that items are reduced by sometimes a huge amount is an indication that they are overpriced in the first place?

Bring back bartering, that's what I say!!!

freebie_junkie

i got:
3 x tubes winnie the pooh wrapping paper- reduced from £2.49 to 10p
3 x tubes winnie the pooh gift tags- reduced from 99p to 2p
3 x packs crackers- reduced for £10 to £1.25

thats what i got in january, i buy all my gifts throughout the year when theyre reduced or on special

i find that theres usually really good clearance sales on gifts around november for some reason, i usually get some great gifts and some stock for my stall too, i got some bayliss and harding gift sets rrp £6.99 for 29p each and sold them for £3 each!

apple_mint

I bought all my wrapping paper, tags and Christmas cards reduced in Tesco's in January. I deliberately bought plain gold or red paper and this has doubled up as birthday wrapping paper through the year too.

I saved my Boots points for after Christmas and 'bought' some reduced gift sets (they had loads of their stickered 3 for 2 gift sets reduced to well below half price last year).

comping_cat

I also look out for the reduced wrapping paper, tags and cards. I also look for stocking filers and things i can pick up for birthday pressies throughout the year.

Debbie_S

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have quite a shopping list for the sales. I love the plain paper doubling as Christmas wrap idea. I'll do that one for sure. I will get our crackers too. I also hadn't thought of getting peoples Birthday presents in the sales. Excellent!

this_is_it

i usually wait untill just before the sales finish then you can get wrapping paper,tags cards etc for pennies. i also get hats gloves ect in the sales and get loads of stocking fillers and birthday presents.
food wise i get the reduced chocolate, bisciuts and cakes ect then i dont have to add these things to my weekly shop for a while.
I get the kids new winter coats in the sales as well .
.you can get good bargains on christmas trees, lights and decorations too.

tiff

I got 2 kids fleece dressing gowns in the sale at Instore last year for £1.50 each, thats for this year and the next size up! They are really lovely and wash well so was really pleased.