As a self-confessed Scrooge/Grinch/general Christmas-hating misery guts, I usually I refuse to even think about Crimbo until mid November. (I don’t actually hate Christmas – it’s just lost its magic for me in recent years).
But, having recently discovered a website that is perfect for saving money on Christmas presents, I figured I’d best write about it quickly just in case things change and part of the offer I’m about to share with you ends.
Whether you want to buy your boyfriend a pair of trainers, your sister a handbag, ship your parents off on a spa break or find something shit (but not too shit) for that colleague you hate cos you drew his name in Secret Santa, this trick ought to free up some cash so you can spend what’s left on better stuff like whiskey and mince pies.
So here we go…
Step 1: Use Zeek to find discounted gift cards online
I recently discovered Zeek, an online marketplace for buying and selling unwanted gift cards at a discount. (I like the concept so much that I’ve been banging on about it loads, here and here)
Zeek is particularly helpful if you’ve got shopping to do and you want to save money on the gifts you buy. For example, you can pick up a £100 Next voucher for just £90 or a £40 Ernest Jones gift card for £36.
Scroll further down this post for more examples.
Step 2: Save a further £5 with this code
The fact you can buy gift cards for less than their actual value is just one perk…
If you’re a new Zeek customer, you can save a further £5 off your first purchase by using my promo code: 2LINA2YS before you purchase.
Zeek used to offer new customers £10 off their first purchase but that offer was reduced to £5 a few months ago. So it may be worth snapping this up now in case it drops again.
It literally takes seconds to sign up to Zeek (no lengthy sign up forms) and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to saving money on Christmas gifts. I’ve used this myself and it’s legit.
**Please note that once you type the promo code into Zeek, you have just 10 days to make a purchase before the code expires**
Step 3: Use the gift card to purchase the gifts you need to buy
I’m not suggesting you give people gift cards as a present (let’s be honest, no one wants them. That’s why Zeek exists). Instead, snap up these cheap gift cards and use them to pay for actual material gifts that you’ve put thought into.
It’s rare that I promote this sort of thing on Can’t Swing a Cat but I’ve been banging on about Zeek quite a bit in recent days because I honestly believe it’s worth using – especially when you use the £5 promo code.
(I also get £5 every time one of you signs up 😉 but as you can probably tell from my scathing Swagbucks review, I’d never recommend something I didn’t actually believe in for money. I will tell you if something is shit)
Obviously there’s no point in splurging on tons of gift cards you’ll never use, but if you know you need to buy something from a certain shop, you may as well look for a discounted gift card first! Since these gift cards can often be used alongside other discounts such as coupons, promotional codes and student discounts, you can really maximise your savings if you’re clever about it.
So where can I use these gift cards?
You can buy gift cards for hundreds of shops on Zeek and there’s an option to choose between in-store vouchers that will be sent to you in the post and promotional codes that can be used online. Here are just a handful of discounted gift cards you can find…
(Information below correct at the time of writing this on the 4th October 2016)
Mango
Zeek is currently offering £100 Mango gift cards for just £80. Team your purchase with my promo code 2LINA2YS and you’ll save an additional £5 off your first purchase.
iTunes
At the time of writing, £100 iTunes vouchers cost just £89.50. Add my promo code and you’ll knock this down to £84.50.
Next
£100 Next vouchers are currently 10% off at just £90. With the promo code, you can slash this down to £85.
Schuh
Save money on shoes and trainers this Christmas by snapping up an £80 Schuh voucher for just £72.50. Don’t forget to add the promo code on the end to save an extra fiver and knock this down to less than £68.
Do you have an NUS card? If so, you might be able to save even more money on your purchase by presenting your student card in store. You don’t have to be studying for a degree to get an NUS card, by the way. Take a look at my guide to getting an NUS card when you’re not a student.
Halfords
Looking for a gift for a budding cyclist? Treat them to a new helmet and other cycling accessories at Halfords. Halfords £100 gift cards are going for just £90 on Zeek. Whack the promo code on and you’ve brought that down to £85.
Check out Halfords gift cards here.
River Island
If you’re buying your Christmas gifts at River Island, gift cards are up to 10% off. At the time of writing, the cheapest is a £40 voucher for £36. Bob the promo code on and that’s just £31.
H&M
Fill your boots with £100 worth of stuff from H&M for just £85 by teaming a discounted gift cards with the promo code.
WH Smiths
Need to find a gift for a book lover? Gift cards at WH Smiths are 10% off so you can get a £20 gift card for £18. Whack the promo code into the box before purchasing and that’s brought down to just £13.
Vue
Save money on cinema trips this Christmas by snapping up a £35 Vue gift card. By teaming the gift card discount with the promo code, you’ll get it for just £27.
Red Letter Days
You can reduce a £250 Red Letter Days gift card to just £212 with the help of Zeek & the promo code.
Ann Summers
You can get £40 worth of dildo at Ann Summers for £31 with the help of the regular discount and the promo code.
