If you’re hunting for innovative presents that won’t break the bank, then take a look at these high- and low-tech gizmos. Friends and family will love their money-saving potential
Christmas is a time of the year that means big outgoings for many people. But it is possible to be sensible and buy presents that will be appreciated both during the festive season and all year round.
Research conducted by Halifax says that 18% of people are preparing to spend more this Christmas than they did last year. It found the average person spent £452.41 on Christmas in 2016, with the majority of spending going on gifts, food and alcohol.
Consumers across the UK are expected to spend a record £20 billion this Christmas, but there are ways to make your gifts save money throughout the year.
Moneywise has rounded up gadgets that would make ideal Christmas presents and stocking fillers for money-conscious friends and family.
GOOGLE CHROMECAST
£30 at Currys and Google
Store Currys.co.uk
Store.google.com
If you’re looking to cut the cost of your home entertainment, consider ditching your paid-for TV subscription packages and getting a Google Chromecast instead. This nifty device attaches to your TV using a HDMI port and allows you to access video apps through your wireless internet connection. You can access free apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4, the catchup service offered by Channel 4. If you’re looking for a movie fi x, then there are services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix which charge a subscription, but are much cheaper than Sky, Virgin Media and other pay TV providers.
Live sports are streamed via the BT Sport app and also through Now TV, which lets users buy day passes to access the Sky Sports range of channels when they wish. This is also perfect if you have an older TV, but want the bells and whistles offered by the latest smart TV devices, without the cost of purchasing a new set.
NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT
£199.99 at John Lewis and Screwfix
Johnlewis.com
Screwfix.com
If you fancy giving your house the ultimate Christmas present,then look no further than the Nest Learning Thermostat.
This device learns when you turn your heating on and automatically adapts as your lifestyle changes to ensure you’re always warm when you want to be while minimising energy usage when you aren’t at home.
Even if you come home from work early, Nest’s technology will recognise that you’re back in the house and change the temperature accordingly.
As well as getting a physical temperature gauge, you can also control Nest through your mobile and tablet devices. Simply download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play and you can change the temperature or hot water from anywhere – inside or outside your home.
At £200, this is not the cheapest gadget around but, with potentially huge savings from your gas and electricity bills, it is likely to pay for itself over time.
TP-LINK WI-FI SMART PLUG WITH ENERGY MONITORING
£29.99 at Argos and £29.69 at Robert Dyas
Argos.co.uk
Robertdyas.co.uk
If you want to make your home smart but don’t want to shell out on the costly Nest devices, there are cheaper ways to help bring down your energy bills.
The TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug fits into a normal plug socket and records exactly how much energy your devices are using. This can help you understand how much power is being consumed by your television when it’s left on standby or your washing machine during a long cycle. The device then analyses this data to help you make lifestyle changes and cut your bills.
The smart plug can also be controlled from anywhere through your Android and Apple devices and gives users the opportunity to power on electronics and lights whenever they see fit.
For instance, you can schedule the smart plug to turn your lights on and off at certain times. That’s ideal if you’re going away on holiday but want to give the impression that someone’s home. It also works with voice services such as the Amazon Echo or the Google Assistant tool.
PANASONIC ENELOOP
£29.99 for smart charger and four AA batteries at John Lewis and Ocado
Johnlewis.com
Ocado.com
The last thing anyone wants to happen on Christmas Day is to run out of batteries. Whether it’s kids’ toys, video game controllers or television remotes, forgetting to buy enough batteries is a big festive no-no.
Stock up ahead of the festive season and then save money all year round by purchasing rechargeable batteries.
The Panasonic Eneloop range is one of the best around as each battery can be recharged more than 2,000 times.
The initial outlay is high, with a pack of four AA rechargeable batteries and a charger setting you back £29.99. However, this will pay for itself in time and is also more environmentally friendly than buying disposable batteries.
NEXTBASE DASH CAM 212
£69.99 at Argos and Halfords
Argos.co.uk
Halfords.com
For drivers, using a dashboard camera – or dashcam – can make it easier to make a motor insurance claim and lower your premiums. These cameras are positioned at the front of a car and record what the driver can see out of the front windscreen.
Many insurers will now accept dashcam footage as evidence if you ever need to make a claim. This can make it easier for the insurer to identify the party at fault and help them process your claim quicker. Some firms – such as Sure Thing and Swiftcover – offer discounts if you have a dashboard camera installed. But do check that your insurer has approved your particular model. The Nextbase Dash Cam 212 has been approved by both these insurers. Others providers, such as RAC, require you to buy a device directly from them.
The Nextbase device records in full HD and provides a wide viewing angle to capture both sides of the road. The camera automatically turns on when you start your car, making sure every second of your journey is captured.
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