Are you ready to deck the halls and hang the baubles? As the annual festivities edge ever closer, it’s time to get prepared for Christmas…

The evenings are drawing in, the shops are staying open later and that advert has hit our television screens. It can only be time for one thing: Christmas!

Yes, it’s November. But with less than 27 shopping days until the big day, it is time to get ready.

Not convinced? We’ve outlined five reasons why you should prepare early:

1. Budget

As un-festive as it sounds, budgeting is the key to a happy Christmas – there’s nothing worse than stressing about the cost of the celebrations, so spread the cost and start shopping now!

2. Offers

Take advantage of the discounts. Many retailers have pre-Christmas sales so get in there early and bag a bargain!

3. Beat the crowds

No one wants to get involved in a scramble for the last game of Scrabble on the shelf.

4. Find the perfect gift

By starting early, you’ll get people presents that they actually want.

5. Relax!

As it gets colder, darker and wetter, the last thing you want to do is rush around the high street in mid December. Stay inside, light a fire and put your feet up in front of the box. It’s a pretty good feeling when, in December, all you have to worry about is who ate the last mince pie!

Plus, with many families spread across all four corners of the globe, the earlier you start your Christmas shopping, the more likely your presents will be delivered on time.

The good news is, we’re making it even easier to send your gifts this Christmas. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!

Being prepared not your strong point? No problem! Our later posting dates guarantee your gifts will be there in time to be placed under the Christmas tree.

Get a massive 10% off your first shipment when you send with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK. Perfect for sending that dirty washing home!

Times are tough for uni students. Fees are on the rise. Rents are on the up. And the price of a pint of beer is through the roof.

But that doesn’t mean it’s time to scrimp, save and live the life of a Dickensian miser. It’s just about being smart with your student loan come September/October time. The good news is there are loads of offers out there to help you get through the next year without resorting to begging or bank robbery.

We’ve got a great one for you right now: a massive 10% off your first shipment when you ship with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK.

It’s a perfect opportunity to have a clear-out, send your washing home, or sell stuff on eBay. But best of all, it’s a good excuse to pop into your local Staples and stock up on supplies for the new uni year.

The world’s largest office products supplier, Staples is your one-stop-shop for all things stationery – as well as offering free parking, late opening hours and a DHL Service Point in every store! Plus, a host of hot deals to help your student loan go that little bit further.

Click here to find your nearest Staples store

Here at DHL Service Point, we like to give helpful tips and advice to students. And as our parcels travel around the world every day, we thought it would be a great idea to give some useful tips to those of you who are thinking of doing the same!

We asked top online hostel booking site, Hostelbookers, if they’d like to share some top tips for saving money before and whilst travelling, and luckily for you – they said yes! So here they are: 10 top tips for saving money before and during your travels.

Save Before

Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you’ll be able to support yourself throughout your travels. By doing a bit of research and making a few changes to your lifestyle before you set off on your big adventure, the pennies will soon add up.

1. Budget. Do your research and make sure you can afford to visit the countries you want to. The cost of living varies from place to place. For example, a bed for the night in Thailand will cost much less than it will in Australia, so make sure you know the price of accommodation, food and sights before you set off. Many countries also require you to get a visa before entry – you can send visas and important documents around the world using DHL Service Point.

2. Before leaving, you must check with your bank to find out what charges they have for overseas withdrawals – the fees will soon add up. Traveller’s cheques or specialist travel spending cards give you much better exchange rates and are worth looking into. It’s also advisable to clear any debts you may have. If you have credit cards, complete payments where possible or move debts to one account to make it easier to keep track of your money.

3. Don’t buy everything in the shops. Chances are, unless you’re climbing Machu Picchu, you won’t need hiking boots or sleeping bags. They’re expensive, bulky, and difficult to carry around and you’ll probably end up throwing them away when you realise how much space in your bag they take up! If you really feel like you should have bought something, get your ‘rents to buy it and post it to you via their local Service Point – it’s that easy!

4. Although you’ll spend a lot of time waiting for trains, buses and planes, there’s no need to stock up on piles of books before you go. Most hostels have a book exchange service and many travellers swap books and country guides with each other after they’ve used them.

5. Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. Instead of spending a few pounds on a sandwich from the local supermarket, make your lunch at home. Stop going out for dinner and buy a cheap cookbook down the local charity shop and get experimental in the kitchen – you’ll save loads and have fun. Cancel any luxuries you may have, like Sky television – you won’t have a chance to keep up with any programmes whilst you’re away, so we’re sorry to say that now is the time to finally give up watching Hollyoaks!

Save During

It’s imperative that you have enough money to keep you going throughout your travels. Think how upset you’d be if you ran out of money half way through your trip and had to come home. But don’t worry; there are easy ways to save money whilst on the road.

6. Now of course, we’re a little biased, but hostels are a cheap way to bed-hop around the world and a great way of meeting friends!  Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple or a group of friends, staying in dormitory rooms is the cheapest way of grabbing a bed for the night. If you wish to have a bit more privacy, most hostels offer private rooms at a reasonable price. In some hostels, you can also work for your accommodation. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a free bed at the end of the day! Check out our range of hostels here.

7. Travel like a local. After all, you’ve gone abroad to experience life in other countries, so why fly or take tourist buses or trains, which are often overpriced? Transport is very good in many countries. For example in South America, the bus services are fantastic, even in second class. You will get reclining seats, films to watch and sometimes even a hot meal, for a fraction of the price of a first class ticket.

8. Eat like a local. Many people shy away from trying the local cuisine or street food, and opt for the tourist restaurants. Big mistake. Street food is often freshly caught or prepared that day, and as you can see them making it in front of you, you know what’s going into it, unlike in a restaurant. Of course, common sense comes in to play here and you should always choose the busiest stalls – if the locals are eating there, it’s sure to be good. Another alternative to eating in restaurants is using the kitchen facilities that many hostels have nowadays.

9. Haggle. It may seem like a strange concept after coming from a country where everything is a fixed-price, but it is often expected in many markets and cultures around the world. Lose your inhibitions and give it a go – you never know what bargains you might pick up.

10. Finally, if you are a student, make sure you get an International Student Card, which is valid in 120 countries and can save you money at many attractions, stores and restaurants around the world.

Now you’ve got your money in check, there’s only one thing left to do – go out there and have some fun!

Remember to visit www.hostelbookers.com, a cheap and easy way to book accommodation around the world.

DHL Service Point is available in many locations around the UK. It’s ideal for sending important documents, including visas and passports, at a reasonable price.

Saving coppers, keeping an electricity meter reading diary and refusing to flush the toilet for fear of unnecessary water consumption. Once upon a time, three or four years ago, these were the kinds of activities guaranteed to draw comparisons with Scrooge McDuck and mark you out as a penny-pinching social pariah, owner of a bathroom best avoided. Fast-forward a few years and now, post-economic global meltdown, watching what you spend is the necessary norm. Which is great news for those of us who’d rather stick to a daily diet of crumbs and the occasional delicacy of peas on toast than risk the culinary and financial unknown of healthy, balanced and moderately appetizing cuisine.

2011 is the year of cutting back. To help you have a prosperous year in the face of all the economic trouble, the @DHLServicepoint Twitter stream has dedicated itself to delivering tips on great ways to save money, as well as letting you know about all the latest deals on parcel delivery available through DHL Servicepoint.

Last week, to let everybody know about this new direction, we launched our May money saving competition, giving you a chance to win £100 in high street vouchers in exchange for your top money saving tips.  You didn’t let us down. Here, in no particular order, are some of our favourites…

Money and spending

Don’t get married! And if you do, hide the credit card from the wife! @Ivy106

Only go shopping with cash. Leave your cards at home – that way you can’t overspend what you don’t have @cyderapple

This money saving tip works in my home: buy BOGOF bargains and put the second product in the freezer to keep until you want it @LondonBirdLucy

Shop at outlets for clothes and use Vouchercloud on the Iphone for discounts on pretty much everything else! @Tinky_Pink

Set yourself a budget after compiling a list of your incomings and outgoings & STICK TO IT. Stop smoking and drinking too! @CRYSTALmse

Energy savings

Save money when having a shower & flushing the toilet – request a water saving device… @JoMaries86x

With regards to flushing the loo…if on water meter…if it’s yellow let it mellow…if it’s brown flush it down @onelittlewonder

Save energy: bring pasta to the boil, turn heat off, put lid on, leave for 18 mins. Perfect cooked pasta. @mrsmildredroper

Save money on petrol. Drive slow & people will crash into the back of your car. You get a new rear end or a new car @gumbie23

Only put enough water in the kettle for the drink you are making @shazpaz

Use price comparison websites…Saved over £1000 a year on gas/electricity @melandjake99

Food

Do you need that coffee? A latte each day at £2.50, 5 days a week, for 48 weeks a year costs £600/yr. Cutting 2 a week out saves 240/yr! @V1cki_Lou

Invest in a gastric band. You’ll save cash in the long run because you’ll have no food bills! @Paul4Rach

Top tip: take your own lunch to work and homemade coffee. It saves at least £5 per day. X5 days x52weeks = £1300 per year! @GAarcade

Save money by taking turns with friends to make lunch and taking it to work. It’s like eating out but much cheaper. @aratology

Entertain at home rather than eating out – everyone brings a course to share the costs & no babysitters required! @Hertschick

And the winner is…

Some great ideas we’re sure you’ll agree, but sadly, there can only be one winner. For its combination of wit and hard-hearted practical advice, the title of DHL May money saving competition winner goes to this little gem:

Tell your kids that when the ice cream man plays his tune, he’s run out! Guaranteed to save money @sassyele

Thanks to everyone who entered. It was a real close call in the end, but rest assured we’ll back with another great competition in the not too distant future.

For more information on DHL Servicepoint www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

To follow us on Twitter and hear about all the latest practical money saving tips, @DHLServicepoint