Have you bought all your Christmas presents yet? Here is why I feel conflicted about gift-giving this year

With the cost of living crisis and prices rising, buying Christmas presents can feel a little overwhelming. Writer, Amari Yogendran shares how she has taken over the family gift giving role, and looks at where the tradition came from.

Like many families, mine has been hit hard by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and job instability. Money is tight for us, and yet it seems to be ‘business as usual’ in the shops - with the dubious sales leaving us unsure as to whether we’re getting a good deal or whether the prices were astronomical to begin with. Either way, we’re heading to the shops in fear of prices rising, again.

As a self-professed whizz at finding discount codes and bargains, I have taken over my mum’s role as the ‘family gift buyer’ to help us save money this year - and I’ve been struck by the sheer scale of the task.