It may be August but retailers are already getting in the Christmas spirit and urging shoppers to plan ahead.
Christmas is already an expensive month for most people but this year households will be feeling the strain even more amid the cost of living crisis.
With the UK heading for another recession, supermarkets like Tescos have already got slogans like "Tis the season... soon," on their website along with advice on how to best capitalise on savings for the next few months.
As the website explains: "It's never too early to prepare for festive fun. Spread the cost of Christmas 2022 by planning ahead."
The public is being warned that families will have to choose between being warm and being fed this winter and so a usual merry Christmas may be the last thing on people's minds.
A recent study by product design specialist Quantum Metric found that the majority of people polled said they will spend less than £500 this year, as a result of the "strain of the cost-of-living crisis", according to The Express.
Here are some tips that may be helpful when trying to keep the costs down this Christmas.
Set a budget
It's a good idea to prioritise what you really will need for the season and make a list.
Listing things ahead of time will allow you to evaluate whether or not you really need certain items, as well as how much you would be willing to spend on them.
Once you've got a list, you'll be able to clearly workout just how much things should cost and start to plan ahead as well as avoid any last-minute panic purchases, which can be costly.
Get creative
Things like decorations can be costly, so where you can try to get creative and make some at home.
Rather than buying new baubles, tinsel, and other ornaments, why not make your own? This can be a great festive activity, especially if you have younger children, and will shave some money off of your overall costs in the process.
Cut down on the tree
Reusable items like a tree can really save you some money and be a great investment.
Most supermarkets and garden centres will sell fake trees, in a variety of colours, styles, and sizes and you won't have to make a purchase next year.
Stagger purchases
This is the main tip that supermarkets are trying to hammer home this year.
Big brands such as John Lewis have already released their festive range of products in store so that people can purchase things in advance to avoid a bit hit come December.
A recent study found that almost three in 10 (30 per cent) are already buying items ahead of the festive season.
Shop around
It's always worth doing a bit of research before making a purchase to make sure you're getting the cheapest price.
Charity shops and independent shops offer great alternatives to traditional high street shops which are likely to have higher prices.
Websites like MoneySavingExpert are also great tools for finding discounts, as well as ways to raise extra income.
Cut do wn y our gift list
Last year, MoneySavingExpert issued advice to people worried about the cost of Christmas, asking them to consider who they were planning on giving gifts to.
"Consider not giving this Christmas. We're not talking about gifts from parents or grandparents, but the ever-widening glut of friends, extended family and colleagues," it said.
It's also a good idea to agree among friends and family members whether you are buying gifts for each other to cut costs and reduce any embarrassment.
Loyalty schemes
A lot of shops will have loyalty schemes which allow customers to accrue points which then give you a discount on future purchases.
Most supermarkets and places like Boots offer this so it's always good to enquire.
Make some extra cash
While it might not always be possible, it's always good to consider if you can make some extra cash to support you come the end of the year.
A good way to do this would be to sell off any old or unwanted items such as clothes, toys, or old gadgets.
There are a variety of websites (e.g. Ebay, Facebook ) as well as various apps (e.g. vinted), which will allow you to sell these items and possibly gain some much-needed cash to add to the Christmas pot.
Plan travel in advance
Most people meet up with family over the festive period which usually involves some travelling.
If so, it's good to plan ahead and if you can buy things like train tickets early to avoid the high price the closer it gets.
You can also get group savings if you aren't travelling alone, as well as other discounts depending on age and where you want to go.
Cut delivery costs online
Royal Mail isn't always the cheapest way to send your parcel, especially if it weighs more than 2kg so it's good to think about your other options.
You may get better rates by using an online parcel courier site like DPD or Parcelforce
Sending parcels and letters sooner will also allow you to use 2nd class stamps, rather than 1st, which can save you a few more pennies.
