A little forward thinking can add up to big savings when it comes to shopping the January sales. Find out which 5 things you should buy now so you get the biggest bargains.
1. Christmas cards & wrapping paper
By the start of January these will usually have dropped to at least half their pre-Christmas price so although it seems a little early to be thinking about next Christmas already, stocking up on festive cards, wrapping paper and tags while they're cheap makes sense.
Store them away in a cupboard ready to get out next December but just remember that you have them so you don't end up with double. For this reason it's best to keep them separate from Christmas decorations if you're likely to need them earlier in the month.
2. Christmas cake & puddings
Buying food for next Christmas may seem a little pre-emptive, but Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings often have lengthy shelf-lives so can be bought now for a fraction of the price and stored until next year.
It almost goes without saying that you should check the 'best before' dates of anything you buy to make sure it will still be edible come next Christmas. Storing it in a cool, dark cupboard is also a good idea.
3. Gifts
Buying gifts for any birthdays, weddings, Christenings or any other special occasion you have planned for the coming year in the January sales can really help you to save on the cost of celebrations.
Write a list of the friends and family you would buy birthday presents for, along with any other special occassions and set a budget for each. Then shop the sales to find presents to suit and store them away in a safe (but memorable) place until you need them.
If you're being extra organised you could stock up on stocking-fillers for next Christmas too as this is when festive items are likely to be at their cheapest!
4. Christmas trees & decorations
Whether you prefer real or artificial, the best time to buy your Christmas tree is in the January sales when stores are desperate to shift stock.
Real Christmas trees with roots on can be re-potted and kept in the garden ready for next December (remember to acclimatise them by bringing them indoors next Autumn once it starts to get cold).
Christmas lights, decorations and artificial trees can simply be stored in the loft until you're ready to start celebrating again.
5. Genuine bargains
It's all to easy to get overwhelmed by the big-banner discounts on offer and end up splurging on things you don't want or need in the sales. But if you need to buy big ticket items - like electronics, white goods, bathroom suites, kitchens and holidays - you can save a significant amount, especially if you shop around for the best price like you usually would.
It also makes sense to think ahead and buy swimwear, sunglasses and skiwear now while it's at its cheapest.
Read our article How to Get a Bargain in the Sales for more top tips to help you make the most of the sales.
