Christmas SIM only deals

The strongest SIM only offers tend to cluster around Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November, then run through December and often into the January sales.

If you can wait until the festive period, you'll usually find boosted data allowances and reduced monthly prices as networks compete for new customers.

A SIM only deal can pair perfectly with a phone bought as a gift, or stand alone for someone who already has a handset they're happy with.

Look for a rolling 30-day plan if you want to keep things flexible, or a longer contract with a festive discount if the recipient wants to lock in a low price for the year ahead.