'Genius' way to save £260 from your Christmas shopping

With the holidays fast approaching it is important to know when to buy gifts and savvy shoppers will be able to save £260 with these genius tips.

If you plan carefully you will be able to make the most of festive shopping by knowing when promotions are on. The next two dates to mark in your diary for big savings are and - and both are coming up soon. is traditionally an American shopping day after , which has become popular in the UK. This year it falls on November 28 and many retailers put on massive sales across a range of categories including , appliances, fashion, beauty and food.

You don't always have to wait for Black Friday because some stores have deals in the days leading up to it. Furthermore, many sales and promotions last through the weekend until Monday - which is called because it is when people start their online Christmas shopping. Big brands such as Argos, Boots and John Lewis have previously dropped the prices for the event.

Other places that are doing big promotions before Christmas are . is expected to shortly launch a sale on toys that will also feature great savings for parents. The post-Christmas and January sales are also a great time to bag a good bargain. However, some brands start their sales before Christmas, meaning you can get great deals on gifts before December 25. Retailers may reduce items early if they haven't shifted stock that isn't selling as well as they had hoped. Each shop is different depending on when they do their sales and it isn't advised to wait for early Day sales for a deal because you may be left disappointed. In the past, Ikea, The Range and Amazon have dropped their prices before Christmas.

Shopping events aren't always the best time to snag a bargain on all items. If you've got a wishlist, knowing when it's cheapest to buy individual products can help you save a bundle. Prices often fluctuate throughout the year based on demand. By knowing what you need and buying when prices are low, you can stash away items until you're ready to use or gift them.

Price comparison site Idealo has analysed the best - and worst - times of year to buy popular Christmas items. For instance, shoppers typically pay £604.73 for a tablet on October 20, but buying the gadget just a month earlier could mean an average price of £643.95 - a saving of nearly £40 just by adjusting your shopping dates.

Conversely, capsule coffee machines are cheapest on November 17 at a typical £135.92; buying them on October 24 would mean paying around £30 more at £165.67. The best price for kids' bikes can be found on November 30 at an average of £271.71. Waiting until just before Christmas on December 20 will see you hit with a cost of £301.52. However, holding off until close to Christmas can pay off for laptops, which average £1,267.05 on December 19 compared to £1,357.91 a month earlier on November 19.

Trainers are also best bought last-minute, with prices at £69.73 on December 24 compared to £74.62 on November 30. If you timed your purchases perfectly, you could rack up savings of over £260. Katy Philips, senior brand and communications manager at price comparison site Idealo, advised: "For those looking to get a bargain throughout the year, we would recommend using our price comparison app, which allows you to search for the best prices across a range of products and set price alerts to get the best deal." She added: "At a time where saving money is paramount for some, being able to check multiple retailer costings at once can prove a hugely helpful resource."

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