Don’t let the last minute panic present buying get in the way of the real shopping event this season: we’ve all been very good this year, and our reward is… the sales.
And there’ll be no waiting until January or even Boxing Day. Many shops have already started slashing prices: you can get up to 40 per cent of at DKNY, 50 per cent off at Laura Ashley, French Connection, Jaeger, Nicole Farhi and Gap (where we especially love Stella McCartney's children's range at half price) and 75 per cent off at Ralph Lauren.
But the fun really begins online on Christmas Eve, when major high street retailers such as John Lewis and House of Fraser join the fray. The shops will be shut on Christmas Day, but that won't stop us spending an estimated £120 million online, while Boxing Day is predicted to be the biggest online shopping day of the year.
For the best instore Boxing Day bargains, head to the first day of the sales at Miu Miu (40 per cent off bags), Mulberry (30-70 per cent off) and Selfridges (up to 75 per cent).
Alternatively you can see in the New Year with some more time-honoured seasonal shopping options. The Traditional German Christmas Market (germany-christmas-market.org.uk), in London’s Hyde Park, open until January 3, is ideal for stocking up on Bratwurst and mulled wine, and Edinburgh’s Traditional Highland Village market (edinburghschristmas.com) running until January 4, is perfect if you’re looking for regional fare from candles to cheeses, or… bowler hats and tarot card readings.
