I tried & tested my 6 fave shops Christmas ranges – so in a battle of The Range, Poundland & B&M who won?
WHICH stores are in and which ones are out this festive season?
According to YouTube bargain hunter Liyana Leena some high street favourites have upped their game while others are on Santa’s naughty list.
Liyana, 33, who lives in Birmingham and inspects what’s on the high street at least twice a week explains how her tips on saving money this Christmas involve being faithful to no one store.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, she says: In the past I was a B&M and Wilko girl, but with the cost-of-living crisis everything has changed.
"Wilko has gone from the high street and B&M has gone downhill.”
So where does the YouTube star, who has an impressive 14.5K subscribers, reckon we should spend our hard-earned cash in the run up to Christmas?
“My favourite stores this Christmas are Home Bargains and also The Range," she says.
“The Range do Christmas really well. There are so many decorative items in the store with loads of different themes.
“The way their stores are decorated is like an event.
“The displays with fairy lights are amazing. In my local one there is a tunnel of fairy lights.
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"They’ve got animated polar bears and penguins on display. Glittery stags and a dramatic black range too.
“Trains going around the store means it’s a beautiful place to visit.”
The superfan reckons: “The Range is perfect for generic decorations for the living room, like wooden gonks for 89p and chic winter wonderland candles for £1.50.
"And 'classy' wreaths for £14. To add to Christmas cosy vibe there loads of different throws for as little as £5.99 for a cute candy cane one.”
Which stores are out?
“Rather controversially B&M used to be a favourite for me, my YouTube fans and my Facebook group members.
“We do analyse a lot of what they are selling and when their “sell by date” is. It is the sort of thing that every day shoppers wouldn’t pay much attention to.
“As for the rest of their Christmas stuff we are finding that everything is overpriced.
“We’re going through a cost-of-living crisis and it means people are really careful with their money. They’re not wanting to go overboard on their spending.
“It’s why B&M has fallen out of favour this year - it is really overpriced.”
So what should you look out for in B&M? Liyana reckons that their kitchenware is still value for money.
“Gonk coffee cups £2 for a pack of eight. Cake tin liners for £2 with Santa on. Dishwasher and microwave friendly winter themes mugs for £3.50.”
“The kitchenware and that is pretty good for Christmas. There is a huge selection and variety of gifts - to be careful on the food stuff.”
Which other store does Liyana reckon?
“This year’s fairy on the Christmas tree in this year‘s supermarkets is absolutely Asda.
“It used to be boring and no one really cared about it as a retail destination for Christmas.
“Not anymore! It’s brilliant. It’s selling festive tumblers for a pound and I’ve got amazing cushions and really beautiful festive throws.
“I wouldn’t buy tree ornaments there - they are a bit pricey.
“The Stacey Solomon range is great. She has a beautiful autumn one recently.”
Jury is out on Poundland for Christmas Decor
Poundland is another disappointment this Christmas for the discounted shopper superfan.
“It’s proving really disappointing and it’s really tacky for decorations. The Range is absolutely owning Poundland’s products.
“They put in phase one into their stores before Halloween and then phase two of Christmas kicked in after Halloween. I don’t know why they do this because no other store does!
“Especially because Poundland is struggling with their stock. I am in touch with the suppliers to Poundland and I believe that this is down to the distribution process and where they are sourcing their supplies from in the world.
“But the bottom line is the quality just isn’t there.”
…But Poundland is great for cheap gifts!
The bargain hunter, who is putting out regular Christmas themed hauls videos on her YouTube channel showcasing gifts for £5 and under, explains: “I don’t normally recommend Poundland for gifts.
“But they do an ace do-it-yourself hamper for £3. The hamper kit includes basket, cellophane and ribbon.
“You buy things that you want to fill it with. So face masks or nail polish for women. You can spend £10 on items and package it up looking like it’s cost double that.
“The great thing about these hamper gifts is that you can do them for children and for the whole family too.
“It’s an easy to put together bargain.”
Ho-Ho-Ho to Home Bargains
Liyana reckons they have cheap but quality gifts, decorations and a Christmas part range too.
“Their price point really is on point. Miniature house tree decorations and door wreaths for under £5.
“There is a really good selection and it’s really good quality too. They’ve got loads of different lines. Everything from gingerbread theme to a wintry stag line. There are hundreds of items under £5.”
“Home bargains is really impressive this year. They are offering customers a great price point and really good quality too.
For family get togethers Liyana flags the Home Bargains party range too.
“There is a grinch set of plates in a bucket which is a great price.
“Their festive sets are nutcracker tins and train tins and are dead cute – and cheap!”
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Where to go?
“Home Bargains is great but The Range is mind blowing. They’ve got really unique Christmas decorative items which you just won’t find anywhere else.
“Yes pop in to B&M for chocolates and advent calendars – just watch those sell-by dates.”
