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[AnnMumsnet]

We've been asked by Experian CreditExpert to find out what budgeting plans you have in place for Christmas this year (2 months to go, folks! ).

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?
Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?
Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

Any other thoughts on the cost of Christmas all welcome.

Add your views and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £200 voucher for a major retailer of your choice - in time for Christmas!

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thanks and good luck
MNHQ

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

I just normally try to buy things all year so it's not such a big hit. I do normally end up in a small amount of debt though.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?

I buy things if they are what I'm after during sales. It does help as it means I can get nicer presents for the budget I have set.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?

Yes, I have to as I'm an impulse buyer and would otherwise bankrupt us! The recession has meant we have to tighten our belts so the budget has reduced.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?

I do a mixture. I feel safe buying online as my bank is shit hot on fraud and bans my card left right and centre when it's me buying things!

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?

I wish I had some!

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

we will be spending approx 8-- including all food and drink for 8 people and 4 seperate days, and presents. We have buying all year though so not too bad.

We save £100 each month into a separate account that then gets drawn out mid-November to use for Christmas spending.
That covers presents, tree (real so need one each year), a couple of Christmas days out like a visit to Thomas the Tank Engine or something similar, a couple of meals out. Also generous gifts to family who are hosting.

We don't always spend all of it, and strictly speaking we don't need to do it any longer, but I got into the habit when we were on a tight budget and finding £4-500 over a couple of months would have been really hard. Seems sensible to stick to it.

I never buy any gifts full price, and I do buy a lot online.

I don't do the thing of buying a few bits as I go along all year. I did this once, and started buying Christmas food bits in October and small gifts.
I ended up spending LOADS when I totted it up, far more than I do by saving through the year and spending over a short period of time.

We don't buy things for the sake of it. This year DH and I really don't need anything, so we will just spend about £50-60 on each other to make a nice stocking, and then we are buying something expensive for the house. It is something we need, but we can buy the version we really want this way without feeling overindulgent.

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort? I set a rough budget per person and shop all year round when I see something I think they will like, or if something is reduced.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you? Yes, I buy gifts of toiletries in the January sales and I use sites like moneysavingexpert to find the best deals and to get sales alerts. I get all my wrapping, cards and crackers in January too if I can.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started? I always have set a budget for the 'duty' presents I have to buy and I have a rough figure that I won't go over for DC's, DP and DM. I have stopped doing a food order and make much more myself from scratch. I buy the half price meat offers that major supermarkets usually have in the run up to xmas - last year I got a large piece of beef for xmas day for £10 instead of the £50 I would have spent buying from a 'posher' xmas food ordering service. I have cut down a lot on food items and buy far fewer sweets now as the DC's get them given anyway. I always look in the reduced section in supermarkets for little things that are ideal for stockings, for instance I got some Bakugan reduced from £16.99 to under £2 recently.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online? Both but I use the internet to make sure I know exactly where the cheapest deal is. I only use sites I have used before and trust.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts? This year we have made up some of those photo calendars of the DC's as gifts for family and used codes found online. This meant that I got 3 A4 calendars for £10 plus P&P. I always wait for half price toy sales and if I buy 3 for 2 I make sure that the 3rd item isn't an extra that I wouldn't normally have bought. I buy lots of things in the January sales too and keep them in an 'xmas' cupboard.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year? I don't have a total amount but I do try and buy as cheaply as possible throughout the year for gifts, and look out for deals for food. I aim to have most of my gifts bought and wrapped by 1st Nov.

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?
We plan Christmas spen very carefully, we have a strict budget which we stick to, we used to go mad, but we've now only got a single income and an additional family member to include
Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
We tend to purchase bits through te year to spread the cost, we also purchase all our Christmas cards, wrapping etc in the January sales
Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not?
We set a budget because everyone earns different amounts, and it makes gift giving fairer, we also deliberately set lower limits to make you work harder on finding a good gift.
Has this changed since the recession started?
Yes, we used to just put everything on the credit cards and pay it off in the new yer
Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
I do shop online, but do not feel safe doing so, this is because I work in retail online security and know how bad it really can be. I use a specific card with a low limit to protect myself on line.
What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
We make a lot of our decoration an DD loves seeing her handiwork decorating the house, we also purchase a lot of generic Christmas stuff in January and keep it
How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
This year will be very cheap, as we're only doing gifts for DD, and none of the adults

I have to budget quite carefully, as my DC have their birthday in December so I have to plan for all that is involved there as well as the Christmas expense.

DH and I have set ourselve a budget of a maximum of £500 for the whole of this years Birthday/Cristmas expenditure, and we have both done overtime and/or AdHoc work this year to pay for this, as our normal household bills take up most of our basic earinings. We DON'T use any credit cards/loans. We used to, and this caused all sorts of problems in the past. If we hadn't already earned the extra, our budget would have been cut down.

I tend to do a lot Online-These last few years the DC have been wanting more expensive gadgets/gifts than before, and I tend to set a budget and stick with it. This has meant shopping for pre-owned stuff on Ebay and simular sites, as well as planning quite a bit ahead in order to be able to search, bid and win said items before they are needed. I started this process in September this year, and, as of this week, their birthdays are sorted, and also some Christmas stuff.

Food shopping - the past few years I have been given a Christmas bonus in the shape of a supermarket gift card, and so has my DH, and we tend to use these for fancy bits and pieces for christmas,we hope this will happen again this year, but I have a contingency budget set aside just in case.
We dont buy a lot of extras and we dont have a huge shop just before christmas either, especially as the shops are open most of the holidays. Our meat is ordered as part of a locally set up co-op with about 10 neighbours, (this was started 4 yrs agao by a neighbour and is brillient!) we buy in bulk and get better prices!

As for other family gifts, we only buy for our parents and neices and nephews and God-Children up to the age of 20yrs in our family, with a budget we as a whole extended family, set for each child.

I do tend to go for the shops where you buy 2 gifts/get 3rd free, to get small gifts and this year I have been getting a Post Office High Street gift card every couple of weeks to combine with that gift so the teens (and all DN's are now teens or above, mine are the youngest) can club these together with any money they get to buy more expensive items.

This is looking super organised, I know, but having been caught out with overspending in the past, to the cost of really struggling with finances and having to cancel a family holiday that year, I learned my lesson!

I regularly go to TK Maxx and buy gifts at cheaper than their rrp in the few months before Christmas. It is a pain because you need to make many trips to find the odd 'gem' but it's worth it for the saving and I walk there on my lunchbreak so I don't incurr fuel costs to go regularly. Otherwise yes, I try to only buy in sales.

I don't set a budget for food and drink, I just try to keep it as low as I can. I do for gifts though. No more than £15 for friends' children (but preferably more like £10) And for the first time this year my husband and I have set a budget for each other's gifts. Our children are the only ones I'm more flexible about, I'm not sure why

I feel safe shopping online in big stores such as Amazon/toys r us etc, but not websites I've come across say through google. I am always worried about buying stuff and it never appearing.

I don't really have any money saving tips as such, but I do try to look out for food bargains in the run up to Christmas and put aside, as well as start buying presents in September to spread the cost.

I will probably spend in the region of £350 - £400

hey'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort? We don't spend much as there's just the 4 of us and no family around. We only send presents to very close relatives and have a budget of ~£30 for that. We'll probably spend an extra £300 in December, all included and that comes out of the December budget. No surprises for the new year.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you? Yes! Always looking out for sales. The 24th is a very good day for shopping for that reason!

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started? Yes we do so we don't overspend. Since the recession budgets are lower.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online? Shop mostly online as get much better deals. And yes, feel safe.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts? Definitely fewer gifts. Try not to buy when in doubt as that will potentially embarass someone and start a precedent. Most presents are rubbish anyway. I hardly ever get anything I really like and I would say most people feel the same.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
Around £300. I've been buying a few bits but it will mostly come out of December's budget.

I don't think my spending has changed because of the recession but I am very aware that if you leave it to the last minute Christmas can cost you a lot. So I have been thinking about Christmas for most of the year. In the January sales I brought Christmas cards and wrapping paper ready as it is such a good price. Then throughout the year I have been buying presents as I see them and also when they are a good price too, that way the cost of presents is spread more equally across the year. I am always careful to not spend to much and we have a tradesmen agreement for different family members to how much we would normally spend, and for example my sister has already asked if she can just have the money so I have planned that in.
I don't think we spend much more on food and because we eat with then bigger family we all bring something so the cost is spread. As such I haven't put a physical amount in the budget on Christmas but I feel I do have a handle on it if that makes sense.
I love shopping online and find it so convenient there are some presents that I look at in a shop then order online hopefully at a better price. Kids toys are the easiest to do online for me, as clothes are a bit trickier and sometimes need to be seen! I tend to use well known and reliable online brands. On saying that last Christmas I ordered my sister some perfume from a site that looked legit but I was cautious and so used my credit card to give myself some extra protection in case it wasn't, PayPal is also good for this. I never use my debit card for these transactions.
As for tips I have been trying to keep spending on the kids at bay, and for friends kids. Our tendency is to spoil them a bit but actually I know my two love the box as much as the present!

I don't usually set a budget. I just have in mind roughly how much I intend on spending on each individual (which I then tend to go over). This year will be different. I need to stick to a strict budget - including food / drink etc, as we are feeling the pinch of the recession. I will probably start buying presents soon to even out the financial burden over the forthcoming couple of months. I haven't been saving specifically for Christmas - I just try to squirrel away what I can each month ( not much at the moment - there is not much surplus from my pay cheque after paying for child care).
I don't have any special discount tricks, I tend to just decide what I want to buy in store then look online for the cheapest trustworthy retailer (usually amazon).

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort? All bills are budgeted for, including Xmas for which I put away a set amount per month

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
I do keep my eye out for sales and discounts, I think it would be silly not to, it does make my budget go further (3 for 2 for instance) but I dont rely on them.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not?
I do have a rough budget per person for gifts, and a rough budget for food and drink. I dont tend to spend all of my budget though, I prefer to overestimate and have money left over than struggle, although our budget is small I think compared to most.

Has this changed since the recession started?
No, I have always been budget conscious and in fact, since I started saving in advance for Xmas I would say that actually I spend more than I did 3 years ago as I am not trying to find it all in one go.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
It depends. If I know the exact item that I want to buy then I am happy to shop online if it means I can get a good deal. If I am not sure then I will shop on the high street. I feel safe shopping online as I only use well known and reputable retailers such as Boots, Amazon etc

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
I did a home-made Xmas a few years ago and actually found that it cost me more! The gifts were much more appreciated by the recipients, but the cost of materials etc meant that it would have been much cheaper to buy stuff ready made. In the couple of months before Xmas I start to stockpile food. I always host on Xmas day and although our guests do bring things, I would still struggle to pay for everything in one go. I check use by dates or if things can be frozen, and buy a bit at a time in the 10/12 weeks running up to Xmas. We dont have turkey as no one likes it so I buy 3 chickens which works out much cheaper as I buy them on offer. I dont send Xmas cards anymore, apart from a couple of special ones to older members of the family. That saves me a small fortune. I dont use Xmas wrapping paper either, I use plain shiny paper that I buy throughout the year as it usually works out cheaper and better quality. I make everything food wise from scratch, convenience foods are madly expensive and dont taste as nice. I over cook potatoes, stuffing and veg on Xmas day and we have leftovers for the next two days, saving cooking costs and minimising food costs.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
I have been saving all year, and will have £500 for gifts for my 6 children, my parents, sister and brother in law.

Btw, when I say "over cook" I mean I make far more than we need, not that I overcook them til they are mush!

What plans do you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?
Finances are in order as had/have good savings - but need to work on getting more income into the house.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
Always check for deals and try to buy "general" gifts when there is a 2 for 1 or 3 for 2 offer on.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?
Have an approximate budget (using Flylady's "Getting Ahead for Christmas" plan). Never borrow to get gifts though. Also try to start buying small things during weekly shops in the months before hand to spread the bill.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
Mixture of the two. If I have something specific in mind, that I know I can get on-line, I will look there to see if I can get a better deal. If I'm not sure what to get, I will go into town to have a wonder and hope to be struck with inspiration. Sometimes I will then go home and search again on-line, rather than automatically buying in the shop.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
Have started making hampers for friends and family, with homemade jam, biscuits, spicy almonds, tablet, spiced salt and so on, all wrapped up nicely. Have also knitted things. Effort is often even more appreciated than the monetary cost of a gift. :)

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
On gifts, probably about £500. Food, may £200 more. Have started putting "extras" into my weekly shop. The jam was made earlier this summer with fruit from the garden!

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

I don't save throughout the year for Christmas, but what I do is to make sure that all the major bills have been paid and also paid in advance so that my salary the month before Christmas is all available for Christmas shopping. So, although I dont save a bit as I go along each month, I save it another way by paying extra for bills in the 11 months previous so I have spare money.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
If I see a major bargain from say September onwards then I will buy it, if not then I tend to just buy everything in November/December.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?
Yes I do set budgets for gifts for each person and also try and budget for food/drink. It has changed since recession - prior to recession I didnt worry too much if I went over budget because I could recoup it, however now it is much harder to do that so have to budget.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
I do shop online where possible to avoid the crowded shops at this time of year. I do feel safe shopping online, however, I only use sites that I trust.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
I always agree a budget with family/friends so we stick to it, this helps. Also, I collect supermarket points throughout the year and use this for food shopping - they really add up and make a huge difference to me. We also agree that we only buy for children and do a secret santa for all the adults.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year?
This year we will probably spend about £1500 on Christmas.

Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
I have only bought 2 gifts so far this year, however I will have the money saved by the time I do my Christmas shopping.

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

Normally I decide on the amount I would spend on people and work it out from there - or if there is something specific that I know someone wants or needs then I price it up and work out the budget from there. But his year is the worst year we've ever had with DH redundant , a move north of the border for family illness reasons and my freelance work suffering as a result and TBH I have no idea how we will even sort out the kids at the moment. just praying that one of us gets a job or significant contract fast. Additionally, my eldest daughter has her birthday in December and my mother in law on Christmas day so it feels like a double whammy!

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?

Yes absolutely. I have seen several groupon offers for example that I would love to go for but I can't afford to do that right now. I'm hoping something comes up work-wise fast and there will still be some good offers around. Also looking ion gumtree and ebay for kids stuff as earlier in the year we promised DD that we would get her a new bike for Christmas or birthday ( also December) because hers is too small!

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?

I have always set a budget but then, when earning well, usually ending up adding in a few extras at the last moment and breaking the budget - it will be very different this year!

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?

online usually easier for most things. although about 2 years ago was disastrous as the weather was so bad half the stuff didn't arrive till after Christmas and some of it didn't arrive at all. Once, I ordered a load of different things through Amazon and must have pressed the order button twice or something as I got two of everything! went massively overdrawn and had to bear the cost of sending everything back - horrendous! I have learned from my mistakes...! I do like to go to a shop and touch, smell etc but sometimes it is so much quicker to do the online thing and you can search for bargains easier that way. I have only had one bad experience on the security side of shopping and learned from that too - always check there is a contact address/phone etc on any website - if there isn't then it is immediately dodgy ( and illegal!).

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?

Once I know what the children really want I do a list and ask relatives who would buy them things anyway to choose one item off the list. That helps get them get what they need/really want (rather than just a load of stuff they didn't want but will happily squirrel away in a corner of their room anyway!) but means we don't feel that we have to buy everything. Kids today seem to have too much overall and it's hard to teach them to lower their expectations when it seems the norm with other kids at school etc. It's also got just too commercial now. should be about so much more than presents. In my view, parents shouldn't be teaching their kids to write a list for Santa - they should be allowed to only ask for one or two presents and that is the end of it.

Another thing I love to do is when I know that say, youngest daughter wants a particular dolly, and oldest wants a science set, I go to somewhere like toys R Us (worst service in the world in my experience), scan the barcodes into a RedLaser app or something and then see where I can get that toy cheaper. i also do this when I see things that I think others might like - it acts as a list of possible things as well as giving me the info to get a bargain. I've already started doing this now. These apps are also really helpful for those supermarket bargains that look irresistible - I have used it several times on this and discovered a better deal for the same product elsewhere and it has stopped me buying it at the supermarket or sometimes meant I haven;t bought it at all ( which just goes to show how easy it is to be drawn in).

Groupons are good too and Social Shopper - start looking out for things now. and of course e-bay and gumtree if you don't mind something that is slightly second hand. most things are in good condition and if you only buy local then you can see before you make your final decision.

I also save up my nectar points and tesco points and then use them either on the Christmas grocery shop or for wine etc - either as presents or for the gluttonous part of the festival! I do this with boots points too but I have a rule that they are mine only - for buying perfume or nice foundation etc! ( i used to use them to buy nappies and then thought what am I doing?!)

My husband came home with a kids telescope the other day for £3 from a charity shop and eldest daughter is science/space mad so we have put it away for either birthday or Christmas. You can still find good stuff that way.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

Nothing to save this year! But I have started buying really small things (like boxes of biscuits/chocs) that I know I like to have as gifts for nursery, school etc. I've learned that if you don't pick up the bargains form about now they are usually not on any longer in the week or two before Christmas.

I think it's also really important that we try to teach children that Christmas should be about giving rather than just receiving. Of course, I'm not completely Victorian , of course they should have a few pressies! But I do think that our culture has gone a bit mad with that one and we need to reverse the trend.

I start thinking about the next Christmas on Boxing Day of the Christmas just gone! That's when you can grab some bargains in the sales. As people have got married and had children, I've found that we're having to buy for ever more people.

I try and buy all our presents online if I can, as going Christmas shopping with two little ones is not much fun! I feel totally safe with online shopping and is definitely my preferred method of shopping.

I try and buy presents throughout the year so that I have less to buy near Christmas time. Otherwise, I find present buying not very enjoyable, if I have to buy lots all at once. It also helps with the finances, if the purchases are spread out.

I used to make some of my own gifts before I had children. Now, I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old, I just don't have the time.

We will probably spend £250 on Christmas this year.

I pick up presents ( including clothes ) during the year from charity shops / jumble sales / boot sales and also re-gift ( take something like toiletries out of it's packaging and repackage, putting in a nice mug in cellophane looks good ) I also make up hampers and ask a local florist to put cellophane and a bow on which usually costs about £3.
I read all the supermarket grocery booklets coming up to Christmas and shop around.
My partner wants an exercise bike which I'll probably get off ebay.
My daughter of 9 loves books ( probably because she didn't grow up with electronic games ? ) and I get her box sets from Book People ( I save points during the year )
I save points from The Mail during the year to use on gift vouchers for Christmas.
I do a lot of competitions and put the prizes aside.
I did a cardmaking evening course so will be making the cards.
I have to do this even though myself and my partner work full time because everything is Sooo expensive.

In previous year's I've been ultra-organised and had presents bought by Mid October. With a strict budget I bought all presents as DH used to panic and buy rubbish and spend a fortune. We never got into debt over christmas, both of us were earning well and could afford the budget reasonably. I would prefer to shop online, but also found

DD will be two this year, the week before christmas. Last year I left my job after a period of maternity leave.

Last Christmas I decided to speak to my relatives [there are lots of them] and see if we could come to some arrangement. Distant relatives are happy with a nice card, a note and some pictures of our family [they will do the same from now on].

Closer relatives were more awkward, as they felt that gift giving is an essential part of Christmas and were upset by my suggestions. They only buy us beer, I don't drink, so it only ends up being passed on [usually back to them]. Or a box of roses, which to be honest I could do without. The gifts really are not personal so thought they wouldn't be that bothered.

Last year I decided to suck it up and make some hampers of home made goodies. Jam, Chutney, Marmalade, Biscuits and Sweets. It wasn't expensive and was quite rewarding to make. They were very well received [surprisingly]. I will be doing them again, DD loves making things, so can't wait to get her in the kitchen with me.

I refuse to get into debt over Christmas, with DD's birthday so close it can be quite tight, but we put money aside throughout the year to use for this season. If we can't afford it we won't get it. But we still make sure we have fun.

DD is so young and gets lots of gifts from our relatives that to be honest we hardly have to buy her anything. She gets a gift from us and some odds and ends in her stocking. It's the same at her birthday, we tend to buy her a gift that she may enjoy later in the spring.

Me and DH have reduced the budget we spend on each other. I like to get him a book, CD/DVD and a little luxury. He does spend a little more on me.

I did buy things in the sales last year, bits to make christmas cards and decorate the hampers, cookie cutters and other odds and ends for DD's presents. I will again this year.

As to food over christmas, as I now have the time, I buy from local producers at farmers markets, or local shops. It does reduce the budget, as long as I don't mind the footwork. We are lucky that our families live close by and we all host different meals over the period. We also get a fair share of the leftovers.

I think homemade doesn't necessarily mean naff, it can be really personal. Our families love food and the hamper really did mean they all enjoyed it. I also knit gifts for people who will appreciate it.

I take advantage of the free local events. A voucher in the paper last year for a free glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine at the Bath Christmas Markets. We all had a lovely [but cold] wander around looking at all the pretty things [while I made a note of the pretty things to make for next year]. Turning on the lights in Bath, we loved the wander about afterwards checking out all the sparklies. Even going for an evening drive around the houses checking out the christmas lights. Christingle Service at your local church [it's very child friendly and it's quite festive feeling].

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

-We start buying bits from about sept but bigger things nearer the event.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?

• if it's something specific I'll try and find the cheapest online.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?

We have a budget per family member. It'll prob be less this year.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?

Often buy online but we will have a trip to York in dec to buy a few of the more personal gifts.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?

I'm expecting a baby a Christmas so that might be a good way out of gift buying, but maybe a bit extreme. Our family have started to really just buy for the children.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

We'll spend about 250-300. We've already bought a few bits.

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

I manage it pretty well I think, therecertainly isn't anything to "sort" in Jan.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?

sales are useful so if there is something specific and i know there is a sale i might wait but in general i prefer to get what i want when i want rather than endure the hell that is a major toy sale.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?

it has not changed. i don't really budget as such but i never spend more than i can afford and try to but sensible choices.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?

mixture. if i know what i want i go online but i prefer to browse in store. if buying from a website i don't know or have not used before i tend to use my credit not debit card to add an extra layer of protection.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?

Just be sensible. christmas is about spending time together so don't spen what you can't afford, make memories not debt.^

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

I'll spend arount £10-£15 per child all in. family presents tend to be homemade so minimal costs. dinner this year is at my mum's so we are spared that expense but if we host we get nice things yes but it is just a fancy roast so no need to go mad. I've bought most presents already but i don't specifically save i just keep within my budget for housekeeping etc all year so i know the money for school shoes, clothes and special occasions is always there.

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?
I put £10 aside every month so that I have £110 come December.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?
I buy a lot of Christmas presents in the January sales. I also buy my Christmas cards and wrap at that time too. I buy non-perishable items and am able to buy people much better presents for less cash.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not? Has this changed since the recession started?
I set a budget as we don't have loads of spare cash. I also find that friends want to agree a maximum budget for present spend which means that no one feels they have underspent. For friends with kids we often buy gifts for the kids and just a bottle of wine/nice chocs for parents. We are all skint :)

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?
Both. I tend to buy online from larger retailers and often get delivered to store so that I can get a refund right away if I'm not happy.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?
Agree budgets with close friends and family. Don't buy 'all the trimmings' buy what you need and will use. So much goes into the bin around the 30th Dec! Often smaller more thoughtful gifts can have a bigger impact than a routine item. Don't feel bad about buying things in the sale if it is what the person would want. Put decorations away carefully and store, can be resused for many years if you take a bit of time.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?
I save and spread the cost. In total about £200 on presents and then around £100 on food and drink. Another £100 on social activities

I don't have a set budget but have an idea of how much I will spend on each person.

I try to buy things as I go along in the months running up to Christmas, especially stocking fillers etc so that it doesn't all come at once. I bought Christmas cards last year in the sale fro this year. I save money on postage by sending local one with the Scout Post.

When it comes to presents for the children I will look in shops then look on line to find the best deal. I often shop on line but usually only use reputable companies that I know well.

I will only spend what I can afford and will not get into debt. I don't spend a great deal on presents for anyone.

I usually spend a bit more one food, buying some sepcial things but I also make quite a lot.

Why do they want to know/
We live hand to mouth.I work in London in week and home weekends I earn 29500 before tax...London Weighting is taxed I pay for 2 places.We have very little indeed.
Hand to mouth and wing and a prayer!

They'd like to know what plans you have to get finances in order - or is it something you manage well, try to avoid thinking about or leave 'til the new year to sort?

Well, we definitely don't have the money this year for Christmas, as we have been trying to get money together to purchase the odd kitchen cupboard every month. So money is tight. We will probably purchase the last 2 presents for the children the week before christmas and put it on the credit card so that we can pay off the following month.

Do you wait for sales or discounts when buying gifts - does this help you?

I do keep a eye on the sales, have been looking for a cheap leappad etc and if it was on sale and I had enough money in vouchers then I would probably purchase.

Do you set budgets for gifts, food, drink etc - if so, why? If not, why not?

As money is so tight this year, my parents in law have mentioned that they have a voucher for us for food from Tesco - so I have asked for it not to be spent on choccies, biscuits for the children and have asked if I can forward a shopping list for essentials for christmas i.e. stuffing, gravy, custard etc. as we have a few items in the cupboard from last year that we didn't use. Drinks we might buy a nice bottle of cava or wine for christmas day, but that will be it.

Has this changed since the recession started?
Yes - we have always been careful, but now worry about how we will pay off if we buy presents.

Do you shop online or do you prefer to buy gifts in person? Do you feel safe shopping online?

Yes I do buy online - but have saved up Amazon vouchers online and tend to purchase presents if any online - so it doesn't actually cost any money.

What money saving tips can you pass on to others at this festive time - for example - do you make your own gifts? Do you buy fewer gifts?

Make your own gifts I made nice small scented cushions last year filled with lavendar for presents. I tend to recycle presents that I receive - especially for the children - if they dont use them or need them then I put them in the cupboard and wrap up to give to their cousins for next year.
Last year I save money and didn't post any cards but sent email cards. Might do this again next year to save money.

How much will you and your family spend on Christmas this year? Have you been saving for Christmas or buying things over the last few months or year?

I think in total we will spend £300 in total for presents and about £20 on the food.

I shop online, but mostly on Ebay; I think often you can find great second hand toys that will last. My children are still young and I only work part time but I will also buy a couple of new toys (the ones they see on the adverts and want!). I love car boot sales and often find new toys earlier in the year, so will put them aside for christmas. I do the food shopping online when the kids are asleep, so I can see all the offers easily and make the best choices without any distractions. I am careful to not spend too much more than normal on food- I just buy christmas type food instead of regular food- Turkey instead of Chicken....I also try to buy things they really need, but get extra special ones (such as: pants, socks, clothes). I feel fairly safe shopping online and use a credit card that is covered for fraudulent use. I don't really buy for adults, (with the exception of small gifts for work colleagues) but I do make hand cream for myself-so give a small pot to close family wrapped in tissue paper with a nice ribbon. I must admit I have never added up what I spend.

My husband and I decided two years ago to set up a separate account of Christmas spending. We put 50 pounds a month starting in January into this pot and so have close to 600 by the time Christmas arrives. It does mean that we tend to do all our shopping in December and miss some sales and promotions but it feels right to know we have saved all year so we can splurge a little bit. All our tesco and sainsburys points are saved through the year and are spent only on treats and extra gifts, chocolate, etc. This is what works for us and we are keen to begin our christmas preparedness! Only 2 months to go!