CHRISTMAS is over for another year, which can mean only one thing – time to start thinking about the next one.
Many of us may shudder at the thought, but actually while you don't need to think about making a festive feast or coming up with new Elf on A Shelf ideas quite yet, you could benefit from picking up a few bits.
With the January sales in full swing, if you stock up on certain items for next Christmas now, you could save yourself hundreds of pounds.
Here, mum-of-two Maddy Alexander Grout, 38 – who is also CEO of money saving app My VIP Rewards – shares the items you should buy now to make serious savings on next Christmas…
O Christmas tree
We're only just thinking about putting the decorations away, but if you need to replace any tired and worn items like the tree itself, the time is now.
Maddy says: "You can get some amazing bargains on artificial trees if you shop in the sales.
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"Some places like Very are offering half price trees, while others like The Range have reduced theirs by around £30."
Decoration decisions
The same goes for the tree lights and decorations.
Maddy adds: "Homebase are currently going 50 per cent off tree lights, and festivelights.com now have a 60 per cent off sale."
"Most places do 50 per cent off decoration sales, but just bear in mind that trends change, so the purple spotty tinsel you like this year may be totally out of fashion next year.
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"So if you are buying in advance maybe stick with the more tradition that never goes out of style.
"Re-doing your whole Christmas decoration collection would cost over £50 if you want until next year to do it so if you know your decorations are tired, do it now."
Festive fizz
You might be considering taking a short booze break – but with so many people thinking the same, it's actually the perfect time to stock up on drink for next year.
Maddy says: "Prosecco, if stored correctly in a cool dark place, will last until next Christmas.
"Bear in mind however most flavoured Prosecco is recommended to be consumed within one year.
"Christmas spirits are often on offer in January, especially as a lot of people do dry January, so see if you can pick up some Baileys or Tia Maria on the cheap."
Go crackers
It's also a good time to buy your Christmas crackers, especially if the kids liked the ones you bought this year, as they'll likely be reduced so stores can get rid of them.
Maddy says: "Sheep racing crackers are reduced in Lakeland from £25 to £16.99 and John Lewis Santa's Rainbow crackers are now £12.50 reduced from £25, so a great time to hunt for nicer crackers to save yourself half price!"
Fashion forward
If you're a big fan of that traditional matching pyjamas in front of the tree family pic, why not get your sets now?
Maddy says: "For Christmas pyjamas, places like Peacocks are doing family ones half price.
"Sainsbury's have some super cute kids sets too – just make sure you remember to buy the correct size for how old they will be next Christmas!"
The same goes for Christmas jumpers.
Maddy adds: "Peacocks have currently got up to 70 per cent off their Christmas jumper range."
Get crafty
Get your Christmas crafting supplies now – an absolute godsend next year when you need something cheap to do to keep the kids entertained on Christmas eve.
Maddy says: "Places like The Range and Hobby Craft reduce these massively.
"If your kids are anything like mine they love Christmas crafting, and it saves us a fortune buying in advance."
No time like the present
The idea of Christmas shopping now for next year will make most of us shudder, but if there are items you tend to gravitate towards every year, it could be worth stocking up now.
Maddy says: "Boots are currently doing a 50 per cent off cosmetics and fragrance sale.
"So, if you know your mum likes a certain perfume or you know you have relatives you give smellies to, this is the time to stock up.
Board games
Board games are great to stock up on all year round – either in the sales or in charity shops.
Maddy says: "Lost some of your Monopoly money, or missing a jigsaw puzzle piece?
"Whether it’s a Christmas game or a family board game played all year, it’s a great time to replace with places like The Works doing up to 70 per cent off."
What NOT to buy in the sales for next Christmas
Here, Maddy shares the items she would avoid buying in the sales, and her reasons why…
Some people say you can freeze turkeys, but a whole year taking up space in the freezer with a huge risk of frost blast is not a risk I’m willing to take.
The food standards agency recommends up to six months in the freezer for meat, so I would wait until after July.
Don’t buy canned alcoholic drinks or chocolate in advance either, as their shelf lives are often a lot shorter than you think.
Don’t buy specific toys in advance for your kids, if you don’t want to waste hundreds of pounds.
I bought loads of Paw Patrol stuff in the sales a few years ago for my Paw Patrol obsessed boy, and by the next Christmas Paw Patrol were out of favour, and Spider-Man was in.
Luckily this year I have a Paw Patrol obsessed girl, so they didn’t get totally wasted – just remember kids taste can change from one week to the next!
Cooking utensils
If you need another roasting tin or you got a bit tipsy this year and smashed a plate set, there are some great bargains around at the moment.
Maddy says: "There's 20 per cent off at Dunelm, and The Robert Dyas sale is incredible with £90 off a pan set, and £25 off a knife block set for example."
Bedding bargains
Can you ever have too many towels or bed sheets?
The answer is always no – especially if you're the one that always entertains the family at Christmas.
Maddy says: "If you have agreed to host next year think about extra bedding and extra towels now.
"Bedding can be really expensive and planning in advance and putting it in the loft could save you upwards of £50 for a couple of guests.
"Dunelm and John Lewis have 50 per cent off and Dusk online have 70 per cent off."
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Gift wrap
This one is obvious, but is still worth mentioning as you can make such great savings if you buy your gift wrap now.
Maddy adds: "You can get Christmas cards and wrapping paper everywhere, even the supermarkets, so keep your eyes peeled and stock up for next year."
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