As the year steams ahead, Christmas small talk has started, and let’s be honest — we’re all reaching for extra layers and hiding from the festive sweet aisle. But this year, things feel different. What once was just a weekly temptation may now be an unaffordable treat.

The C word

So, what did you think when you read “the C word”? Is it still a cheeky festive nod to Mariah Carey, or has it become a reminder of the cost of living crisis we’re facing?

Savings are no longer a luxury, they’re a necessity. I’m receiving scam warnings daily, my mortgage rate has hit new heights, and gone are the days when £26 would fill my car to the brim. As a lifelong bargain hunter, even the smallest savings bring me joy. I grew up with boot sales, cashback sites, discount stacking — you name it.

Christmas planning

I’ve been told I start Christmas planning too early. But those same people are usually the ones rooting through the sofa cushions in December, trying to scrape together enough for a last-minute selection box for mum’s second cousin.

Money-saving isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s in my DNA. I grew up watching my dad hit up Wilko the week after Christmas, loading up on reduced decorations and gift wrap to stash for next year. Why pay £4 a roll and risk those December trolley wars when you could be sitting smug with your 50p bargains from last year? After all, it only ends up in the bin, right?

Christmas campaigns

Campaigns at Christmas make for some of my favourite conversations. I love seeing the ideas beaming from marketing teams, I love seeing brands putting the customer first and I love that for the next few weeks I will be able to use Christmas as my excuse for every little sneaky treat.

And speaking of marketing, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) are always pushing for brands to be responsible and fun and their recent Christmas focussed blog does just that . It’s a great reminder that as marketers, we have the power to influence how people spend, and we should do so responsibly.

If you’re like me and love a good bargain, start planning early. Look for discount codes, use cashback sites, and never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned price comparison. Even small savings can add up, and wrapping up gifts feels even more exciting when you know you’ve grabbed a bargain.

At the end of the day, Christmas isn’t just about what we can buy or how much we spend. It’s about moments of connection, a warm home, and being kind to ourselves.