Woman outlines 12-month Christmas preparation plan that 'could save her £5k'

Laura Hampson
Updated ·3-min read
Tahnee Beck starts preparing for the following year's Christmas as early as December 27. (SWNS)
Tahnee Beck starts preparing for the following year's Christmas as early as December 27. (SWNS)

A woman who begins shopping for Christmas presents in January says spending a full year preparing for the festive holiday has helped save her over £5,000 over seven years.

Tahnee Beck, 33, estimates that by buying presents, food and decorations early, she saves up to half compared to people who prepare for Christmas last-minute.

"I just can't bear to part with the money and then see everything reduced," the mum-of-two from Norfolk says. “I still enjoy looking round the shops in the run-up to Christmas – I just make a list of what I want and then wait for the prices to go down.

"Sometimes I miss out, and occasionally I forget what I've bought for someone. I even buy things for next Christmas on my birthday, which is December 27."

Tahnee opts for heavily discounted items and often shops car boot sales. (SWNS)
Tahnee opts for heavily discounted items and often shops car boot sales. (SWNS)

Read more: Half of Brits already worried about affording Christmas 2023 - Yahoo Life UK, 2-min read

Beck estimates that she spent £1,000 in 2022, including trips and outfits for Christmas, but wants to cut this price in half this year.

According to data from the Bank of England, Brits spend an average of £700 more in December than during other months of the year. A separate 2022 poll from YouGov found that 25% of Brits are unable to have the Christmas they want due to the rising cost of living.

Beck also uses Mary Berry's Freezing for Christmas book to make sure she has all her food in the freezer before December hits.

"I like being organised so we can really enjoy Christmas," she adds. "Everything is bought by the time December starts, then I get wrapping.

"The cookbook has you start cooking in October. I'll have everything for Christmas week, including Christmas dinner, from the turkey to the bread sauce, in the freezer by December."

Read more: Easy 1p challenge will save you £667.95 this year - Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read

Other money-saving hacks include using fabric Christmas crackers instead of disposable crackers, and keeping an eye on big summer sales from retailers.

Beck’s 12-month guide to preparing for Christmas

  • January - shop in the sales for durables you know you need next year (pyjamas, decorations, paper, etc).

  • February - put money aside, if you can, to use when you spot bargains across the year

  • March - book panto/theatre tickets

  • April - start thinking about Christmas plans. Invite family and plan December weekends to visit others

  • May - shop the small business Christmas releases and pay now for delivery nearer Christmas

  • June - buy long-life reduced holdables, such as alcohol, dried food, napkins, tablecloths. Update your address book ready for cards

  • July - look for small business deals. Exchange any old postage stamps

  • August - keep an eye on sales. Some retailers offer their biggest reductions in the summer months - you can also buy unusual gifts on holidays

  • September - buy and bag presents for teachers to save an end of term rush

  • October - use half term to get kids to get prepared by writing their Christmas cards

  • November - bag Black Friday deals - especially for the kids' main presents. Write your cards. Prepare and freeze Christmas food

  • Dec - Finish wrapping. Sit back and enjoy the season

Additional reporting by SWNS.

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