Five last-minute Christmas savings

Christmas is almost here, and for many of us, the pressure to make everything perfect can feel intense – and pricey.

From finding the right gifts to planning the ultimate festive feast, it’s easy to feel like your budget is snowballing out of control.

But here’s the good news: even now, with just ten days to go, there are still ways to claw back your spending.

So, before you reach for your wallet one more time, here are five last-minute strategies to help you stay on budget and enjoy a merry, money-smart Christmas.

1. Entertain the kids on a shoestring

Keeping the kids busy on the school holidays can put a strain on your budget, but with SuperSave Club, you don’t have to break the bank to keep the family entertained.

SuperSaveClub members get access to all kinds of free UK days out when you buy or switch with MoneySuperMarket, with plenty of fun activities for kids and adults to choose from.

Whether you’re planning a day at a theme park, catching the latest blockbuster at the cinema, or exploring local attractions, there’s a good chance you’ll find a deal that helps you stretch your money further.

2. Portion control = Budget control

Christmas dinner is a big deal in most households, but piling plates high often means piling leftovers into the bin.

In fact, research from Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) shows that Brits scrape off 11 million roast potatoes every Christmas. That’s not just wasted food - it’s wasted money.

Want to avoid throwing cash in the bin? Before you do your Christmas food shop, head to Love Food Hate Waste and use their portion calculator.

It’s a simple tool that helps you plan exactly how much to buy for your festive feast by calculating how much of each ingredient you need to buy on your food shop.

3. Get rewarded while you shop

Before you start filling your (virtual) trolley, make sure you log in to SuperSaveClub and do your shopping through our SuperSaveClub cashback portal. It’s like getting a little present for yourself every time you buy for someone else.

Earning cashback is simple - just log in to the SuperSaveClub hub via the MoneySuperMarket app or website, browse the list of partner retailers, and click through before you shop.

Your purchase is tracked automatically, and cashback will appear in your wallet - usually confirmed within a few months.

Once you’ve earned £5 or more, you can redeem your rewards for gift cards or a prepaid Mastercard.

From everyday essentials to big-ticket buys, SuperSaveClub helps you turn spending into savings.

4. Reuse and repurpose

There are plenty of ways to save and sometimes even make some extra cash by recycling.

Are you drowning in Amazon packaging after Christmas shopping and still have piles of presents to wrap?

Here’s a simple way to turn that pile of brown packing paper into a money-saving win: instead of tossing it in the recycling, save it and use it to wrap your Christmas gifts.

Add a splash of colour with some cheerful twine or ribbon, pop on a homemade gift label (cut from last year’s Christmas cards if you’re feeling extra thrifty), and you’re sorted for the holidays.

Your gifts will look stylishly unique under the tree, and you’ll have enough wrapping supplies to last for years - proof that a little creativity can save you cash.

5. Do a present stocktake

Before you start wrapping, take a moment to do a quick stock take of any hidden presents you’ve already bought.

It’s easy to forget what you’ve stashed away in cupboards or under the bed, and overbuying can quickly add up. A quick check now could save you money and stress later.

If you’ve gone overboard, don’t panic: most retailers have generous return windows this time of year, so grab those receipts and act fast.

Keep tags on and items in their original packaging, check the store’s policy before you head out, and make the most of free return options to avoid extra costs.

Returning what you don’t need is one of the simplest ways to claw back cash and keep your budget on track.

And remember, if you bought online, you usually have 14 days to cancel under UK consumer law, and Section 75 protection could help if you paid by credit card.

^{SuperSaveClub T&Cs}

<sup>- You must be a UK resident aged 18 or over to be eligible to join SuperSaveClub and receive SuperSaveClub Rewards
- You are entitled to a gift card of up to £20 on your first Qualifying Purchase if you subsequently join the SuperSaveClub.
- You must join the SuperSaveClub within 90 days of your Qualifying Purchase and you must redeem your reward within one year of the Qualifying Purchase.
- SuperSaveClub members are then entitled to gift cards of between £2.50 and £20 every time they make a Further Purchase on the MoneySuperMarket website or app.
- Qualifying Purchases and Further Purchases include: Car insurance (£15 gift card); Home insurance (£15 gift card); Pet Insurance (£10 gift card); Van Insurance (£15 gift card); Broadband (£20 gift card); Annual or Backpacker travel insurance (£5 gift card); Single trip travel (£5gift card for Backpacker; £2.50 for all other Single Trip, for both if you spend more than £7.99); Mobile phone deal (£5 gift card); Loans (£20 gift card); Credit Cards (£10 gift card), Certain Energy Providers (£10 gift card), Certain Loans (£20 gift card), Certain Current Accounts (£15 gift card).
- SuperSaveClub Rewards are valid for 12 months from the date they are made “redeemable” in your SuperSaveClub Wallet and are accompanied by an expiry date, beyond which they cannot be used or reissued.
- Full T&Cs available here</sup>