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

[lissieloo]

I also shop all year. I have a strict budget and I make sure I stick to it. I write a list with the max price I want to pay for something and save a few quid each week to do my presents shop.

[gwencooper81]

I start buying in the summer holidays to spread the cost. I also check prices online before buying.
I save my Tesco points and double them up to buy electrical items .
I like to buy from independent crafters to make a gift unique, these are often found on Facebook.
I Google voucher codes and discounts. Argos 342 is a lifesaver!

[DinoSnores]

I make a list of everyone. With my siblings, once you have children, you don't get presents any more so we each just buy for our nieces and nephews. We give to and receive from our parents. I try to think ahead about what to get as presents and get them as I see them.

In terms of food, I use a veg box for Christmas day veg as that gives me about the right amount of everything.

[jennifercrafting]

I start my Christmas shopping in the January sales! I then gradually buy presents throughout the year to spread the cost. I could not afford to buy all my presents in November/December.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Amazon Black Friday is brilliant for impulse purchases that are then allotted a recipient afterwards.

[Beccie77]

I buy as many birthday and Christmas presents from Boots in the 3 for 2 sale that starts just before Christmas - they are just as quick on delivery, and normally come just before, if not, they go for birthday presents for the year up into the cupboard. I buy on a 'Cash back' site, and collect points that way, and you also get the boots points so you get a double win. Every three years or so I get enough points that it pays for the fourth years' gifts!
I also do the Argos 3 for 2, even if some of them go up for birthdays and don't make it to Christmas. I make my own hampers as the stuff that's in them you can usually get for cheaper from B&M and Home Bargains, or the local supermarket, and that way you can spread the cost across more weeks. Tesco offers usually make it cheaper to get chocolates and things for those in the run up to Christmas, and I always get the free magazine on the way in, as there is usually an extra voucher in there to get another discount.

[10thingsihateaboutpoo]

I think it's definitely cheaper the more organised you are. I keep a b-day/xmas gift list and picks things up when i see them, be that in the jan sales or nearer to xmas.

And for food we make a list and stick to it, otherwise you end up buying stuff because it's tempting not because you need it.

[mamof3boys]

I try to be organised. I sell unwanted items on eBay to raise a bit of extra cash that goes into a separate bank account for Christmas. I try to find any discount codes and make sure that I get the best deal. Online shopping makes it much easier to do this.

I've started keeping lists of what I've got as with three children it's all too easy to forget and then go overboard.

We do try to budget, especially as my husband is self-employed and so we need to cover his time off work over Christmas too. It can get difficult, but we just want our children to enjoy it so we manage. We don't buy much for each other and just focus on the children. We also try not to spend too much on food and drink, and just get what we need.

[DoctorGilbertson]

I do like to buy early so that I know that the cost isn't going to come as a big shock.

My only hint is the list from the mumsnet Christmas bargains thread as I did buy a couple of these offers ...

Oh and all my relatives have had the same Christmas card for the past 5 years as for some now lost in the mists of time reason DH and I bought 400 of them after Christmas that year.

It's quite a nice design, but it is exactly the same every year. I have asked a couple of people who have claimed not to notice, but I do wonder what they think.

[katiewalters]

For my nieces and nephews I will ask their parents what to get them. For my kids I ask and growth ideas from catalogues, online etc. once I know what I want, I will check out all the places that sell it and buy it from the one that's the cheapest. Amazon tends to be cheaper, so use them a lot. Also I try to buy things when on offer, such as toys 3 for 2 etc

[MoogDroog]

I'm a bit of a panic buyer for everybody but my dc's. With them I'm super organised and always look around for the best deal. I use cashback sites where possible and always look for a code to get money off if I can. It really makes a difference.

[choccyp1g]

When I was younger I used to buy lots of stuff that I loved and then share it out among the various recipients. After a few years I realised that I was buying a devore scarf for SOMEONE every year, so I changed tack, and bought one for myself!
Now I think more about what suits the people. For family who I am less close to, I do keep a list every year, as otherwise you can become the aged auntie who gives gloves every year!

For small children I send cheques and/or buy vouchers for the parents to spend. This is because when DS was small I never got to choose his style as so many Aunties used to send him clothes.

My other trick is to buy hardback books; and read them myself first!

[Iggity]

I always buy online and use the site where I buy the present to send it as I live in a different country to friends and family. I don't really shop arpund for deals. I tend to buy all children same or similar presents from one website e.g. books and really only buy for adults in my family i.e. My immediate family and generally I give them money rather than trying to choose something.

[goldenretriever]

I leave things to the last minute and only buy people what they want. I don't spoil the kids as they are spoilt by others. I don't stress about it as I am not a worrying type.

[supermariossister]

I am almost done this year thanks to an epic amount of bargain shopping and good luck. I never know what to get for my big brother though he is always left till last.

[4yoniD]

Organized Christmas (website) sorted me out a few years ago. I have a Christmas Book which includes a present list, carried over each year, budget and notes on what worked and what didn't on previous years. Now I know who I need to buy for and how much to spend. I can buy presents during the year when I see something good and tick it off my master list, so I don't need to remember what I have or haven't bought.

December is generally good for special offers on biscuits and chocolates but often worst for prices on presents and wine. And obviously January is best for wrapping paper and crackers!

[Eve]

Write a list

Order online

[Hotbot]

Start early. Advent cake dears bgt last year. Buy online, set up a wish list.
Don't buy for adults, on Dhs family.

[BlackeyedSusan]

buy things all year when they are reduced in sales. i am still using stuff I bought in early leaarning centre when they closed 6 years ago, before ds was even born. if you are buying for you own childen, stuff with damaged packaging is ok as you can remove it and just wrap the present. it is a lot less frustrating when they open it too.

keep a list of what you have bought and check the contents of the present cupboard early so that you can top up on the stuff that is not in there.

[DragonPaws]

I start buying for Christmas in the end of the summer sales in August. Presents are all bought by November and so in December I only have food to buy.
I try to buy as many presents in the sales as possible and regularly check the cost of items I have my eye on until they go on offer. I use wish lists (eg on amazon) so it is easier to check the price of items. Also I regularly check money saving forum sales section to find out any new sales.
I have a list to keep track of what I've bought. For the DC I will buy second hand of ebay if item is expensive.

[ParkerTheThief]

I have an ongoing spreadsheet. Whenever I think of something a person on my list would like I add it to the list.
I try and buy throughout the year, sometimes things on the list are carried over from one year to another (if I had lots of ideas for one person I'd get one gift but leave the rest on the list)

[HootyMcOwlface]

I save up reward points to use at Xmas time for food, alcohol, presents. As for what to get people, I've got quite a small family so its not too stressful. I jot down ideas for birthday and Xmas presents in my diary throughout the year as things come up in conversation, then I often buy online to get the cheapest price.
Having said that I do go into the shops when it all gets mad in mid December as I love the atmosphere, and I like to buy little treats to go with the main presents.

[supermariossister]

Im back again to tell you to look at trading in old electricals , if you upgrade your handset your old one could make you some extra cash towards christmas with some companies if you agree to have an argos voucher you also get a higher amount than you would in cash, also grainger games offer a much higher part exchange ( a balance to be spent at grainger games) than they do cash which is handy if you were buying from there anyway!

[nextphase]

Tesco clubcard vouchers doubled up make for cheaper presents.
Stockings for small kids have fun stuff bulked out with "essentials" like socks, but usually a price bracket up form normal - so patterns rather than basics plain ones.
For the kids presents, we went to Argos 2 for £15, and looked what would suit the kids on the list, and then bought it all with the gift swap for £5 off every £35 - so switched a toy, got a £5, spent over £50, got another £5 voucher, switched another toy, and then spent the last £45, with £10 off.

For the kids, we don't worry about balancing the prices - if someone needs an expensive present one year, and the other just wants jigsaws, thats that happens - it balances out over the years.

[tinypumpkin]

Repeating what others have said I think but:

1. Early Christmas shopping. Grab a bargain when you see it.
2. Devise a spreadsheet with everyone to buy for on it. Note what is bought and cost. Stops me forgetting who I have already bought for (either double buying or missing people out).
3. Quidco all the way
4. Home bargains etc for stocking fillers etc for the children
5. Nose at people's wish lists on amazon and then shop around as cheaper prices for items elsewhere often.