Watch our last episode of Shop Talk where CarrieMumsnet discusses surviving the Christmas shop with Ruth Langsford. NOW CLOSED

[KatieBMumsnet]

Last week MNers were asked how they get the best deals on Christmas food and present shopping.

Watch episode 4 of Shop Talk now for tips on savvy seasonal shopping.

Barclaycard Freedom Rewards, in association with Mumsnet, created a new weekly online chat show, Shop Talk, and this is the last episode.

Here's what Barclaycard have to say about the show: "This is the final episode of Shop Talk, a weekly chat show where weve tackled the big shopping stories that you're talking about. A different presenter has hosted each show, and for our last show it was Ruth Langsford. Two panellists, including shopping blogger Emily and Carrie from MNHQ, joined Ruth to discuss surviving the Christmas shop and stocking filler saviours.

With regards to the Barclaycard Freedom Rewards credit card, Barclaycard say: Freedom Rewards is a credit card designed to reward you for the way you already shop. Collect Freedom Rewards points everywhere, and double at UK supermarkets and petrol stations, to turn into vouchers to spend at our huge range of high street and online shop.
If you loved Shop Talk and want to see the highlights from all four shows watch out for them here from Monday 18th November.

Thanks,

MNHQ

1. I shop during the year, stocking up on presents like books etc for the Kids.

1. Pound stores are great for less expensive stocking fillers. After all, for a lot of kids, presents are about quantity not quality.You can get great colouring stuff, books, toys etc for younger children. Got some great Horrid Henry books for £1 from Poundland plus lots of other novelty items to keep them amused on the day. Then i get a few good presents for them from Amazon or Ebay. I have bought them some great watches on Amazon.

1. Lidl - excellent for stocking up on Smoked Salmon (much cheaper than normal stores) and other luxury christmas items like stollen, Prawns, Lobster etc.

1. I start serious shopping around October and am usually sorted by early December. Much easier on the purse to start early and less stress. Nothing worse than that January Credit Card bill with all the over spending. Need to keep the credit card clear in January for the Sales!!!

1. I always have emergency present wrapped and ready. Chocolates are good for this.

I used to think I was getting bargains by buying things in the sale but in reality I wasn't keeping track of what I had bought and would end up with ridiculous amounts.

I now have a list of people I need to buy presents for in a small jotter I keep in my bag. If I see a bargain I check my list. If it is suitable for someone on the list I buy it and cross them off, if not I walk away.

I also look for days out vouchers and use points I have saved on loyalty cards etc to reduce the cost.

I look out for deals on Christmas food and try not to buy everything in sight.

My main tip is if you don't need it then it's not a bargain no matter how cheap it is! It will just sit gathering dust until you take it to the charity shop.

We always make a list of all the people we need to buy for. We then look around for deals, instore and online. We take advantage of 3 for 2 offers as well as half price sales and tesco boost points.

God that video is lame and cringeworthy.

I browse online selecting ideas for people and sometimes order online sometimes go into town to buy them

I do my christmas shopping in September looking for offers and using the points on my Boots Advantage card which I have saved up throughout the year. I buy the alcohol and store cupboard items in November, again shopping around for the best price using comparison websites. That leaves just the fresh food in December. I spread the cost over 4 paydays which is better than taking a big hit in one go.

I start looking for presents in October and buy something that would be suitable when I see it reduced. Failing that its Clubcard double ups if Xmas is getting near.

I buy items through out the year, as and when I see something suitable.

I do most of my Christmas shopping online. Great to compare prices and keep an eye on offers while being cosied up on the sofa

I find out what people want then shop around looking for the best deal. I use Quidco , MSE , emails , discount codes to get the price down. I am constantly looking out for deals as all companies have some kind of half price, BOGOF, % deals happening.

My Mumsnet top tip is to plan during the year, don't leave it until November and then think I've got one pay day until Christmas (for those paid monthly), panic and get a payday loan. I buy some Christmas presents in the January sales and look for bargains throughout the year, online, in the shops and on my local FB selling page.

I search for the best deals online then search for voucher codes before heading to a cashback site :) It's very satisfying to save a little or earn a little on what you were going to buy anyway :)

I christmas shop all year, mainly in sales so to get value for me and my family - some great offers around and spreads the cost

I start buying for xmas in january when all the xmas gift sets get reduced in price. Then i just shop throughout the year before prices become inflated for the xmas period.

I like to start early and make a list of what I want to get for everyone.
I check around the shops and online for the best prices. I spend a lot of time trying to choose the right present and sometimes just rush around at the last minute buying anything suitable.

I try to do as much comparison homework before I make my purchases so as to get the best deals. I tend to focus on what I am going to buy for each person rather than just heading into a shop and picking on any old thing, the best thing to do is plan well and ensure you stay within your budget by using cashback websites, clubcard/nectar rewards and so on.

We get the children to make a list, from pictures out of the toy section of the argos book. It has to fit on a A4 sheet of paper which makes them really think about what it is they want.
Once the list is done we then let family and friends know what it is that they have on their list, it makes it easier to buy something that is really wanted and saves us spending money on all the little rubbish bits and bobs that won't ever get played with.
We then shop around and wait for the discounts from toy stores to start.

I do a lot of online research for their main presents (price comparisons, reviews, etc) and trawl the charity shops for the stocking fillers - it really is quite astounding what lovely items people throw away.

I'd say the same as most people, set a budget and stick to it, write a list (no extras!) and stick to it, save as much money as you can monthly and put away for Christmas. Buy bargains, use discount vouchers and points cards and more than anything~have fun!

I like to decide what I am buying for each person ie Pj's for sister, then I look online at the major stores. decide how much I am going to spend for each person. I then start Xmas shopping about the end of November with everything wrapped and under the tree by the beginning of December, Bring it on lol

Last minute and then panic buy :-S every time!
Ooops!

I enter competitions throughout the year for kids toys, vouchers etc and it helps towards the cost if i win. i use comparison sites to find the cheapest around. i also shop for bargains 3 for 2's, spend so much & get a voucher.I recently spent over £50 on peppa pig and got a free peppa pig item which cost £20 alone :) bargain. I would never spend more than we could afford.

I ask most people what they want so I know they're getting what they want but I always buy surprises too. I have a budget and I do stick to it, I like to get things when there is money off but I then spend the savings on the surprises. I like to be all done by the end of November so I'm not running round in a mad rush.

I start shopping in October - or at least thinking of ideas. Then shop around, mostly online.

I use MSE, camelcamelcamel and Reastie's Bargain thread on here to watch for good prices. I set myself a budget per person, try really hard to stick to it and I if I see something great that is outside of budget I often buy presents jointly with my brother or sister-in-law. I have all my present shopping finished by the end of November so we can use Decembers pay packet to pay for food, drink and any last minute expenses.