I’m known for my bargain hunting – where to buy the best Christmas gifts
IT’S that time of year again when we have to spend money – and sometimes a little more than we’d like.
In Britain, the average amount spent per person around the holidays is expected to range from £700 in the North East to £973 in London. according to a study by Statista.
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The average British household is expected to spend a whopping £1,811 at Christmas – equivalent to an astronomical 80% of the average monthly income of millions of people across the country.
But to help you cut costs is Liyana Leena, from Birmingham, who regularly shares tips and tricks to spruce up your home without spending a fortune.
Despite first going viral for spending the most in Poundland ever, leaving staff baffled with her £500-a-week habit, the shopper has now revealed her best buys to create your own Winter Wonderland with a limited budget.
“You don’t actually have to spend a lot on decorating your home or on gifts, as long as you know what to do!” Liyana said.
From stylish gifts at Home Bargains to the best stocking fillers at Poundland, the thrifty home decor fanatic has visited the hottest stores on the high street – and here are her best cheap finds.
Off we go to Home Bargains
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“This is the bargain store where you will save the most money, but most importantly, DON’T LOOK at it!” Liyana told Fabulous.
According to the cash-savvy shopper, whose YouTube channel Home Bargains has over 17,000 fans and offers the best gifts ”where you don’t have to spend a lot, but get something that looks much more valuable”.
While Liyana felt that the men’s gifts, such as the typical Lynx sets, “lack some variety,” the women’s options are much better.
”Home Bargains also offers the best toys and gifts for kids, for boys, girls… and even babies across all age groups!”
When it comes to your home’s porch, the popular retailer will ”again have the upper hand,” Liyana said.
”Their range always looks high-end, a good variety and the best prices.
”They have many candy cane themed items and great party selections too.
”I found one for comparison Scandinavian LED forest scene for £28.89 in The Range and the same EXACT product was on sale in Home Bargains for just £9.99.”
How to Save Money on Christmas Shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the number of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not host a Secret Santa among your inner circles so you don’t have to buy multiple presents?
Plan ahead – if you have the stamina and the budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for next year during the January sales.
Make sure you shop for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you don’t spend more than you need to.
Buy on sale on Boxing Day – some retailers are starting their Christmas sales early so you can actually score a bargain before December 25th.
Delivery may cost you a little more, but it could be worth it if the savings are significant.
Shop through outlet stores – you can save a lot of money by shopping through outlet stores such as Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually the wear and tear is minor.
Some of the cheap goodies the savvy home decor enthusiast spotted included 35 gold baubles for £8, candy canes for £4, £2.49 for a large lollipop stick and £2.99 for the fake sweets.
Do you also want to add a festive touch to your kitchen? Check out Home Bargains’ ‘Merry’ oval plate for just £6.99, milk bottles for a handbag-friendly £79 and Christmas-themed mugs from £1.79.
”They have lots of arts and crafts kits to keep the kids entertained too.
”I found some really good Christmas books for €1.99, activity packs for €99 cents, a huge bin of craft supplies for €5.99 and lots of other craft kits for €2.49.”
Travel to Poundland
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If you have a little one waiting patiently for Santa to arrive, be sure to visit Poundland’s toy event, where half-price bargains are on offer.
‘I found baby toys such as a guitar reduced from £5 to £3, four tubs of playdough for £1, a pony set reduced from £5 to £3, block toys that looked very similar to Lego priced at £2.50 from £4 and many more deals,” Liyana told us.
While the prices may be lower, the superfan said the range of gifts is ”very limited, there’s just not a lot of variety and the quality is still quite good, especially when comparing Home Bargains gifts”.
“I did find a box of candles (three for £9), a collection of crystal stones for £8 and diffusers for £5.”
But if you’re looking for budget-friendly stocking stuffers, the popular discount retailer is the place to be.
“You can get masks, perfumes, bath bombs and candles for a bargain price.”
After browsing the stores, Liyana also discovered that Poundland is also the best choice for hosting the ultimate festive party, with heaps of delicious party food items, napkins, disposables, as well as sweets, popcorn, crisps and fizzy drinks.
”They have an offer on sweets in the tube: 2 for £2.50 or £1.50 each. These include Haribo, fruit lozenges, jelly tots and more,” said the thrifty shopper.
In addition, Poundland has also rolled out a Perks app – something similar to Tesco’s Clubcard – which allows you to buy certain items at a lower price.
“All items are marked on the shelf, so you can see via the app what discount you can get.”
Save at B&M
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No home makeover, whether in time for Christmas or in the summer, is complete without a visit to B&M – and according to Liyana, the retailer has reduced prices from last year.
”You see a lot of items with labels, where you compare last year’s price with this year’s price.
“It’s good to see because I definitely noticed their prices skyrocketing last year and that’s why I only bought a few things from them.”
Liyana, who was amazed by the sheer variety, bought a small gingerbread house that lights up for €2.50, a beautiful gingerbread house mug with lid for only €4, and a gingerbread snow globe for only €6.
While Home Bargains seemed to be missing from the gift department for men and boys, B&M seems to have it all, from Harry Potter gifts, PlayStation, Pokemon, grooming supplies, perfume and electronics.
”It’s also great for teens and children. They have a two for £20 deal on the toys and you can currently buy 12″ Squishmallow cuddly toys for £5 (was £12.99) and the large 16″ half price for £10 was £20!’
Buy magic at The Range
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”The Range has the most magical Christmas. I’ve only been going to The Range for the past two years – I’ve never had one near me so I didn’t know they existed!
”I can’t believe what I’ve missed, it’s like a Winter Wonderland. If you’re looking for lights – indoors or outdoors – they have what you’re looking for!”
Where the store really wins, Liyana said, is in the sheer amount of tree decorations, ornaments and other festive supplies you’ll need for an epic glow.
”I have a beautiful gingerbread train for £14.99 and I always pick up craft supplies.
”They don’t just focus on children’s crafts, which I absolutely appreciate.
”Not many other stores do this and some of the things I would find here would be much more expensive at Hobby Craft.
”They have decorations, ribbon £1, wreaths, craft kids and much more.”
Other great value bargains found by the money-conscious shopper included a Naughty or Nice card for £1.29, activity books £1.49, sticker books for 99p, wooden decorations for 89p and £1.29 for Grinch gift bags.
”You can also find some AMAZING gonk items at The Range, from uprights to ceramics and wood.”
Don’t sleep on Asda
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For many of us, Asda is the place to stock up on groceries, but Liyana says it’s also worth taking a look at their festive range.
”I had to have their whole gingerbread theme! Towel for £4, soap dispenser, £4, gingerbread house storage box, £4, gingerbread mug £3.50 and gingerbread tablecloth for £6,” she raved about the monster catch.
”They also make an AMAZING Nutcracker Snow Globe for £6, with pastel colors and it is absolutely beautiful! These items are so affordable and easily look twice as nice!”
Visit Liyana’s Facebook group for more tips and tricks, as well as shopping tours Bargain lovers.
