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It can be tricky to find some great places to shop, especially around the Christmas holidays. To help you with the search that most people dread, here are the Top Five places in United Kingdom to splash the cash or grab a bargain.

It can be tricky to find some great places to shop, especially around the Christmas holidays. To help you with the search that most people dread, here are the Top Five places in United Kingdom to splash the cash or grab a bargain.

1. Oxford Street - Millions of shoppers take their annual trip to Oxford Street every year, it's one of the busiest and most popular places in the whole world to shop. The Christmas lights, the large ranges in the shops and the flagship stores make the street such an attractive option this time of year. Wake up early to avoid the queues and grab the best bargains!

2. Edinburgh - A grand and historical city, Edinburgh is popular with tourists as well as shoppers. Shopping here is world class and the fashion-conscious locals are serious about style. The beautiful streets are filled with famous designers boutiques, independent fashion stores and charming gift shops. Combine your trip with a seeing it's lovely buildings and castle and you have yourself a perfect weekend away - just bring your warmest coat!

3. Birmingham - Birmingham is the UKs official second city and offers a great choice for Christmas shoppers. Most shops can be found in the newly redeveloped Bull Ring and New Street located in the centre of town. The city is filled with major high street shops, a fabulous jewellery quarter and a very impressive 40 million futuristic Selfridges building.

4. Spitalfields market, London - If you're bored of the usual big name shops and are after something a little different for your Christmas shopping, be sure to check out London's Spitalfields Market. It is home to many independent traders, artists and crafts people, and you're sure to find one-offs and quirky presents here. Organic food, eco-conscious clothing and arty furniture are all on offer here.

5. Dublin - It's not in the UK but Dublin is a fun and vibrant city and would make an excellent choice for an easily accessible Christmas shopping destination. With its compact city, all the shops are in easy walking distance of eachother with most of the shopping centred around the pedestrianised Grafton Street, (top-end shops) and St.Stephens Green Shopping Centre (the usual high street shops). When you're all shopped our here head for Temple Bar for trendy and more unusual clothing, music and art stores (and probably also a pint of Guinness).