Christmas is three months away, and if you’re smart you’ll get started on your shopping as soon as possible.

The problem is that when money is tight, that special person you were hoping to spoil might have to settle for a second rate gift.

Or not…

There’s a new shopping trend that’s hit Australia, China and Sweden, and it’s now made its way to South Africa.

It even comes with its own acronym – BNPL – ‘buy now, pay later’.

The idea is simple. You buy what you want, and pay it off over time without interest.

“The rise of buy now, pay later services like those offered by Australian BNPL giant, AfterPay, have provided today’s shoppers with an attractive alternative to credit cards and retailers an alternative to lay-bye programmes,” says Greg van der Riet, COO of newly launched, SA-born PayJustNow, which offers a three-step interest-free instalment service through online partner merchants.

Services like this are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who don’t have access to a credit card.

Alongside pioneer AfterPay, another company at the forefront of the ‘buy now, pay later’ revolution is Klarna. Founded in Sweden in 2005, it entered the U.K. market in 2014 and now partners with over 130 000 retailers globally, including Topshop, JD sports and Mothercare.

Then there is Laybuy, which lists the likes of Footaslyum and Alexachung on its shopping directory.

PayJustNow is South Africa’s first BNPL company, and it’s already partnering up with some iconic brands. If you or someone you love has been coveting a new pair of Veldskoen or a gorgeous leather bag from Freedom of Movement, then you can select the PayJustNow option at checkout and pay your purchase off over three months, in three easy, interest-free instalments.

“We charge no interest and no fees to the consumer if they pay on time, instead we collect a fee from the retailer for the transaction,” says van der Riet.

“It’s similar to lay-bye but the key difference is that with a lay-bye system customers experience delayed gratification, with the items being paid off in full before being received.”

“As a customer centric solution we look to empower shoppers to buy what they want now and pay it off over time, as they earn.  We don’t look to make money off late fees, don’t encourage a debt culture and don’t encourage shoppers who don’t want it, don’t need it and can’t afford it.

Check out the full list of merchants here.

Once you’ve browsed to your heart’s content and filled that cart, select PayJustNow as a payment option, take a minute to set up your account, and you’re on your way.

Purchasing that perfect gift now gives you enough time to pay off your three instalments just in time for Christmas.

Get ready to incite gift envy on December 25.