If you're one of those people that spends the majority of year meticulously booking annual leave, only to then find yourself left with two annoying days in lieu which you're forced to take off before the end of the year, you're in need of some help.

According to Gov.uk, most workers in full-time employment who work a five-day week must receive 28 days paid annual leave per year.

For most of us, those 28 days are as valuable as a pair of Gucci Princetown leather slippers or – for those of us who can only dream of such fashion delights – a four-pack of 85p Sainsbury's mince pies.

But, what if we told you that it's possible to almost triple your annual leave, without having to bribe your manager, take multiple sick days or hack the holiday system in Human Resources?

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By now, you've probably used up all of this year's holiday and are feeling a bit uneasy about asking for time off in the New Year. You're also probably one of those people that has already started to wind down ahead of Christmas, taking offensively long lunch breaks and spending most of your time online buying last minute presents on Amazon while your boss isn't looking.

If this is you, here's our guide to making the most out of your annual leave next year:

Step 1: Know Your Bank Holidays

Monday 2 January: New Year's Day

Friday 14 April: Good Friday

Monday 17 April: Easter Monday

Monday 1 May: Early May bank holiday

Monday 29 May: Spring bank holiday

Monday 28 August: Summer bank holiday

Monday 25 December: Christmas Day

Tuesday 26 December: Boxing Day

Step 2: Plan breaks around your Bank Holidays

1. Take nine days off for an 18-day holiday

Using two bank holidays (14 and 17 April), book off nine days from 18-28 April.

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2. Take four days off for a nine-day break

Using the Spring Bank Holiday (29 May), book off 30 May- 2 June.

3. Take four days off for a nine-day break (again)

Everyone will want to take time off around the Summer Bank Holiday so book this one in A.S.A.P. Book off 29 August 29-1 September.

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4. Take three days off for a 10-day break

Most people forget to take time off around the festivities so make sure you book off the time between Christmas and New Year's Day by booking off 27-29 December.

Annual leave taken: 20 days

Total days holiday: 46 days

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This means you have eight annual leave days left over for those last minute weekend breaks, festivals, shopping trips and duvet days. After all, we all need a duvet day sitting in from of the television with a tub of Ben and Jerry's once in a while.

Are those tears of happiness we see? Don't worry, you can thank us in wine/a free trip away with you on your jolly hols.

We bagsy the window seat.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.