The countdown to Christmas is well underway and with just 74 days to go that doesn't leave us with a lot of time to save the pennies!
Many of you can give yourself a pat on the back for being truly organised, as a third have already started to shop for the festive period.
In a bid to avoid financial stress, parents have begun grabbing the early bargains before the pennies begin to build up.
However, worries of the festive season for 30% of people have been around since August with many revealing Christmas debt will be their main cause for financial concern in 2015.
In fact, one in five Brits will rely on credit to cover the cost of gifts, presents, trips out to see friends and more, according to research conducted by One Poll.
A quarter of financially-minded people invest into Christmas savings schemes to help spread the cost of Christmas while 25% have been stocking up on decorations, presents and even food over the past few months.
The UK's top methods to foot the festive bill are the following:
- Spreading the cost: 50% put money aside or buy items throughout the year to spread the cost
- Savvy shopping: a quarter (25 per cent) use vouchers/points to cut the cost of Christmas essentials
- In the red: a quarter of Brits confess to getting in debt to cover Christmas costs (17 per cent rack up credit card debt and 8 per cent use a loan or overdraft)
- Santa sales: one in ten Brits admit to buying gifts in last year's Christmas sales
Women are proven to be the savvier sex when it comes to Christmas shopping, with 31% buying gifts throughout the year as opposed to just 19% of men who plan ahead.
Claire Davenport, Managing Director, VoucherCodes.co.uk said: "While the recession may be easing, it's clear Britons' mind sets have shifted with many planning ahead to ensure they have the Christmas they want without the monster financial hangover traditionally associated with January.
"With just 75 days to go until Christmas it's encouraging to see so many Brits getting organised. Now's the time to start making lists of everything you'll need, from decorations to dinner so you can stock up as deals and offers go live. To make the most of the money saving opportunities out there sign up to receive newsletters from retailers and offer sites so you can grab Christmas bits and pieces as you go."