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

[Ddpunk]

I usually start thinking about ideas in October but I always run out of steam and end up doing an emergency last minute buy on Christmas Eve! I'll never learn!

[elizwall123]

buy presents starting in the january sales

[zoewowie]

I always leave it too late. Next year I intend of buying gift cards and topping up every mth to budge

[Leiajulie]

i dont have a CC as they got me into debt before so i spread the cost through the tear and take advantage of online coupons

[srobbo71]

I start shopping for xmas in the January Sales. I then keep an eye on the bargain deal forums that are dotted around and pick up other little bits here and there. Then I use loyalty points that have accrued and try to maximize their value using the 3 or 4 x options. Then I panic over the last remaining few pressies and the food shop lol.

[kel1981]

I kep a list of what I buy so I don't overspend. I also use cashback websites and shopping toold online to find the best deal, and keep a record of what it would have cost and what I actually paid so I can see what savings I've made. It's a great incentive!

[cluckyhen]

We save money every month to put aside for Xmas so that we don't have to panic financially, but I start buying in August to give me plenty of time to shop for bargains. I use cash back sites and compare prices via the net. I've usually finished in Oct, whereas hubby knows what he needs to buy (for me) but leaves it last minute and panic buys.

[TiggersAngel7774]

I love to buy thoughtful presents but have a tight budget and what i like is usually too much.
So i keep money for boots 75% off sale in january and usually do well there. Im always on hotukdeals looking for bargains and codes for discount.
Plus i spend all my free time entering competitions for items i can gift or give to friends and family. Plus anything i cant i give to local fundraisers

[butterflyuk83]

Start shopping at the beginning of the year in the January sales.
Buy a few presents each month so by the time December comes you're all sorted, presents are all bought and you wont have to brave the shops when they're packed full of panic-buyers!

[JBH316]

I try to plan ahead and make lists of what I want to buy. For gifts, I like to take advantage of special deals or voucher codes and also go through cashback sites if applicable. For food items, I find it useful to just add 1 or 2 things to my normal weekly shop in the weeks leading up to christmas. It may not necessarily save money but it definitely helps spread out the cost. I also keep an eye out for BOGOF deals etc

[compy99]

we buy 4 presents every month starting in January, so by the time we get to Sept. most have been bought.

always look for offers and discounts.

[lynsey1978]

I look out for bargains through out the year to spread the cost. I use hotukdeals for bargains. I try and know what I want to get people so I don't overspend.
I save up m Tesco clubcard and boots points through out the year and use them for Christmas presents.

[snare]

I do a little of xmas shopping from October time :)

[Compermo]

I only buy for immediate family now. During the year, I pick up things that I know people will like when I see them on offer, and put them in my Christmas cupboard. In October I ask for their wish lists, so that they are sure to get something they really want, and I shop around on the internet for these at the best price,

[VickyRsuperstar]

I have a lot of children to buy for so I have to start very early, sometimes as early as in the Christmas sales for next Christmas and birthdays over the next year! If I see something my children or a family member would like on a good offer then I buy it and store it in my cupboard or even up the loft (out of the way of kids rooting around!)
I use the Hot UK deals website to keep up to date with any current special offers across many retailers - new deals are added every day & it's the first place I check when I need to buy a specific item. I am member of Quidco & Topcash back, so I always go and see if they have any other special discounts and/or cash back offers and then finally I check Hot UK deals website for any current online discount voucher codes like Free delivery, 20% off, £10 off etc. That way I can usually find the cheapest way to buy something. I rarely pay full price for anything. Half price toy sales in October/November supermarket are also very useful.

I also make sure I get loyalty points from my supermarket as Nectar points soon add up - some retailers also give you Nectar points for online purchases too. Then at Christmas I use the points to either help towards the cost of toys in the toy sale or else I use them against the cost of our Christmas groceries.

Another thing I do is to visit the supermarket when they are reducing items as they usually reduce all the over-priced top of the range items. I then freeze them and keep the treats for another day. This is even more useful at Christmas.

About a week or 2 before Christmas I get the stored presents out and do a quick check just to make sure everyone has enough and that nothing has gone missing!

For Christmas party trimmings like paper napkins, plates, cups, plastic cutlery, decorations, wrapping paper, crackers and bows we use Poundland as it is the most cost effective place to get most of these items and its no point in paying a lot more for stuff that is barely used or disposable!
All in all it helps to keep the costs down at a time of year when everything can be really expensive!

[AnimalAddict]

I do try to be prepared for Christmas. In my head I do a list and think about who would like what. But then it gets to about a week before Christmas and I still haven't got anything, so I'm in panic mode and feeling sorry for myself. Happens every year! You'd think I'd learn. :P

[jl81]

lists, write ideas down then selectively research them. Buy when I know fully what I want

[sweir1]

i shop around all the time using the tinternet

[smit23]

Get it over and done with by the end of November! Have some idea of what you're going to buy everyone, or you'll end up spending more than you want to!

[yclark]

I start my christmas shopping in the January sales. Boots always have some fab bargains when they drop their prices to 75% off.
Christmas cards that need to be posted I always make use of Funky Pigeons 50% off offers that they do near to christmas, they have some fab cards to choose from that you can add photos etc to and buying more than one card at a time means you also get free postage with them.
Over the year I will use cashback sites whenever I can for purchases like insurance etc and any cashback received goes into a separate account for other christmas presents that haven't already been bought.
Tesco clubcard points are good at christmas time too on their boost and can be doubled up on certain items to save even more either in store or on direct.
This year nectar are doing a double up promotion on various items including frozen desserts which i will double up £10 worth to buy £20 worth of desserts to put away for christmas. I will also combine it with an £8 off £30 spend and save coupon and a £5 brand match coupon meaning i will have £20 of desserts plus another £13 extra to spend on bits that are needed before having to put any real money towards my shop.
My turkey will most likely be a turkey crown from either aldi or lidl as they are looking to be the cheapest. Turkey crown is favoured over a full turkey as no-one eats the legs in our house so less wastage. Veg are also good value from either lidl or aldi.

[lindyloo50]

I do surveys etc all year and save up points and swap them for Amazon vouchers which saves a fortune on Christmas prezzies. So yes I do most of my Christmas shopping online though Amazon. If theres something someone wants in particular, I check TopCash first to see if I can shop through them saving more money.

[louisexxx]

I make a list in January and then keep my eyes open during sales etc for things that I know my family would like. This also helps to spread the cost over the year. That way I can afford to get my family meaningful presents I know they will love while not going into debt at Christmas.

[shellhughes27]

The best advice I can give is set a budget and stick to it shop around price compare and remember loved ones wont care about the value its the though that counts. Prepare by buying all year round to avoid a huge debt.

[sjw01]

I use my tesco clubcard vouchers for the majority of the kid's presents that i've built up through the year - and for everyone else we always set a £5 limit each so the spending doesn't get out of hand!

[hbakfam]

Buy things in advance gradually rather than buying them all at once