Instead of joining one of those Christmas Clubs

[LordOfTheFlies]

Like the one colon Colleen Nolan advertises, I might buy a few store gift vouchers each month.

Boots, M&S, Next ,Debenhams, Game.

Then if I have to find an emergency present, I've got some to hand.
If not, I can spend them. Having paid for them up front.

Only fly-in-ointment (apart from losing them ) How long are they valid for from date of purchase?

They vary. Some are 12 months, some 2 years. Can you set up a savings account so at least you'll have interest as well? Or get some premium bonds, then cash them in before Christmas? You may win some cash with these also.

Premium Bonds are a good plan (supposed to be a higher chance of winning than the Lottery but not so much money)

I like the idea of having the vouchers just in case I need them. And with a bank account, the interest is so piffling at the moment. And 'real' money would get used up, whereas shop vouchers have to be spent. On nice Christmas things.

I'd do premium bonds. You can get internet savings accounts which have around a 5% interest rate though so it's best to look around. I don't think vouchers are a good investment at the moment, there's too many shops going into administration.

Regular savings - yes, a good idea. Premium Bonds - another good idea. I think you have to buy a minimum amount though, maybe £25? Or open an online account and set up a monthly direct debit, makes it easier all round.

I wouldn't buy vouchers, for all the reasons given, plus some of them do have expiry dates (in very small print). I know someone who got £100 in vouchers for her birthday in the summer, saved them until Dec then when she tried to spend them they'd decreased in value by £2.50 for every month she'd had them.

i think the money into an account is the best idea so you can get interest. But if that isnt an option then the money into a tin that cannot be opened is also a great idea, we did that for the 1st time last year and we had £502 come Christmas! And the best thing was that we didnt even have to use it as i had also been shopping through the year, so instead we did the flat up & changed the theme in the boys bedroom.

With those shop vouchers, like you i thought it was a great idea, i hadn't even thought about them having an expiry date (yep very daft i know lol). If you can check the expiry date & you don't mind be stuck to 1 shop then i guess its OK x

i'm doing parc - if I give the money to MIL she won't give it back lol. likewise DP my mum as she won't give it back, but our respective parents would give it back to us if we asked so this way the money's not our to spend if that makes sense.