When it comes to Christmas presents, shoppers often ask themselves what to buy - but should they really be asking 'when' to buy it?
That's because savvy shoppers can save their pounds this Christmas by snapping up their presents at the right time.
And penny pinching might be the order of business this year, with lorry driver shortages and increased shipping costs sparking warnings of empty toy shelves and inflated prices this Christmas.
Families have already been warned to start shopping for Christmas now to avoid disappointment, while panicked parents have reportedly been phoning toy shops in tears as they bid to get ahead of the curve and beat any last-minute rush.
Now new analysis has revealed how Christmas shoppers can save more than £150 off expensive purchases depending on when they buy them.
Those hunting for laptops and yoga mats this winter might be best to wait until December to make their purchase.
But shoppers searching for hair dryers, juicers and bikes should probably get pedaling, because prices could be about to rise.
The figures come from comparison site, Idealo, which analysed the items likely to be popular presents for this Christmas.
By using data from how much those same items cost last year the comparison site has managed to work out which month is the best to buy the items at the top of your wishlist.
Here This is Money breaks down the best and worst times to buy your Christmas presents...
Consumers could save on their Christmas presents by researching what month is cheapest
October
Customers looking for a smart watch are better off buying in October when prices average £172, compared to in December when they reach an average of £198.
Other tech items such as games consoles and wireless ear pods are at their most expensive in December, and could cost £56 and £8 more, respectively, than in earlier months.
Home gadgets are also typically cheaper in October. Those looking to snap up a juicer this Christmas can save as much as £70 by buying in October, with average prices around £180, rather than in December, when average prices rocket to £250. Hair straighteners (library image) cost an average of £62 in October, the best time to buy, but rose to £71 in December
October is a good time for DIY enthusiasts in the hunt for a new drill kit (pictured: Library image), with average prices around £300, compared to December, where the average price is around £377
Lego kits are, perhaps unsurprisingly, cheaper in October than in the run up to Christmas, where demand sky-rockets for toys. Figures from Idealo's price comparison feature, which have been analysed by This Is Money, show the popular Lego City Police Station (pictured) saw an average price rise by £2.30 in two months
Lego kits are, perhaps unsurprisingly, cheaper in October than in the run up to Christmas, where demand sky-rockets for toys.
Figures from Idealo's price comparison feature, which have been analysed by This Is Money, show the popular Lego City Police Station average price rise by £2.30 in two months.
According to Idealo's data, Lego kits an average of £80 in October. But by December, that has shot up to £94. The Lego City Police Station kit rises from an average price of £65 in October to £67.30 by December - with the highest single day price of £70 in November.
Home gadgets are also typically cheaper in October. Those looking to snap up a juicer this Christmas can save as much as £70 by buying in October, with average prices around £180, rather than in December, when average prices rocket to £250.
Hair straighteners cost an average of £62 in October, the best time to buy, but rose to £71 in December.
October is a good time for DIY enthusiasts in the hunt for a new drill kit, with average prices around £300, compared to December, where the average price is around £377.
Hair dryers are also typically cheaper in October, with the average hair dryer costing around £60 now, compared to September, when they are most expensive.
November
Despite Christmas drawing nearer, November provides ample opportunity to grab a bargain still - particularly for those looking for an espresso machine.
