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

[YoniRotten]

I shop around a lot before any purchase of more than say, a fiver. And do most of my shopping online, it's so easy to price compare. I use voucher codes wherever available. I buy enough to qualify for free shipping, and store anything for later use if I don't need it immediately.

[CheeryCherry]

Lists lists lists! And start early...that way I can be looking out for bargains and offers. I keep a notebook from year to year so I don't buy the same items each year for the neighbours/great Aunts etc!
I use my nectar points and Tesco points to buy gifts, have just ordered 3 tops and some slippers for free (well, sort of) from Tesco, plus some Thorntons chocolates. Very pleased!

[SiameseIfYouPlease]

I've been so much more organised this year due to been on maternity leave: more time; less money.
The best thing I've done is buy a second hand dolls house for DD and I've had many happy hours after bedtime 'pimping' it up with off cuts, haberdashery etc. it now looks like her room! Cost not important i think, personalising is way more important. That takes time.

[florencebabyjo]

Ebay is great for cut price often new toys and clothes. For food shopping, I make a list and buy a couple of things each week and keep in a cupboard.

[Maiyakat]

Decide early what you want to buy, then keep an eye out for sales, 3 for 2 offers, bonus points offers etc (even better if you can combine these!) Use voucher codes and top cash back or quidco.

[missorinoco]

Have an idea of how much you want to spend on each person. I start looking early to spread out the cost; it also means I catch early sales, although they drag them out for longer now.

If relatives are going to visit you pre Xmas, make sure you have your gift in for them to save postage; the ones who turned up on the first week of December caught me out once.

[sabretiggr]

I try to work out what each person will want in advance and then hit the (online) high street. Use reward cards where possible, and a cash back credit card, I find I end up saving money overall... And never have to waste a day or two in the shops queuing and waiting!

[janekirk]

I always plan to pick up some bargains in the January sales but like the majority of people my finances become stretched by that time. Pre christmas I always google the items I'm looking for.

[Lurleene]

Don't go over the top buying in food -people seem to buy food like they are preparing for a siege but the big shops are only shut for a couple of days and there will usually be a local shop open on Christmas Day for at least the morning in case of emergency.

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I buy bits throughout the year to spread the cost & to avail of bargains when I see stuff on sale. I keep an eye on sites like Hot Deals and Groupon as well as the Xmas bargain threads on MN!

[ataraxia]

Where possible with friends we go for low-cost but high-fun gift options such as pound store challenge (e.g. £5 to buy 5 items - weirdest/biggest/best value or whatever agreed theme is).

With family, I use internet to look for ideas and compare prices. High street if it gets too last minute!

[Titsalinabumsquash]

I keep track of annual events, Sainsbury's/Tesco/Amazon/ELC etc for toys/electricals.

I also save my club card and nectar points until Christmas towards gifts/food.

I use quidco or top cash back every time I shop online too.

[Purplehonesty]

I usually make a list and think of a suitable present for each person before I start shopping.
I start around November time and pick up bits that I find in the sales and shop online for specific items.
We only buy for the children in the family which really helps keep costs down and means we have that bit extra to all spoil our own children. After all its really all about the kids! I couldn't care what I get I just love seeing my little ones faces when they open their presents.
If there was a specific item I wanted for one person I would spend ages tracking it down. I also tend to make a lot of my Christmas gifts, decorated cakes, cushions, pinnies - that kind of thing which definitely saves lots of money.

[FrantasticO]

I know in the main what I want to by and use comparison sites and camelcamelcamel .
Have joined quidco and topcashback
Follow reasties thread and picked up some great bargains!
Look at hduk and mse
Food shop is harder as they eat it!
Have started to put by extra bits and freezer is filling.
Couldn't afford it all off one pay its just too much.

I love christmas though!

[starlight36]

For the first time we bought Christmas cards and gift tags in the sales last year and got good quality cards for a bargain price.

I also picked up a few bargain toys which we put aside. Reastie's bargain thread has also helped a lot - particularly with some great books. The 3 for 2 sales at Boots using advantage points stored during the year has also helped.

For food bargains I stock up on biscuits and chocolates when we see them. For the last few years we have bought turkey crowns, rather than a whole turkey, which drastically cuts the lunch budget. We also buy prosecco and wine /beer whenever there is a good deal on.

[woodchuck]

I also try to stay out of the shops as i only buy mmore than I need, with all those tempting displays which leads to budget disaster. I tend to shop online, and usually get only what i need using a list. I also collect loyalty points and rewards such as tesco Clubcard, nectar, advantage card and Topcashback to get a few extra little treats for Christmas. I like to hit the shops with my vouchers and bring home a couple of bags of bits that cost nothing.

Saying that i do love the shops at Christmas and used to do a big shopping day out to one of the big retail centres. i just can't afford to do that anymore so have to plan much more carefully. I usually shop for Christmas from my October, November and December paydays to spread the cost. DH gets a small bonus in Novemvber which gets the kids pressies and means I don't end up owing anything on my credit cards after Christmas.

[melmo26]

We start present shopping in Oct so by the time Xmas comes we are not running around trying to find everything at once. We always go to shops, hardly ever do present shopping online. We like to see first hand what we are buying.

For food shopping we have a seperate chest freezer we only use for Christmas food. We start putting bits and pieces in at the start of November. We always end up with too much food for the day :)

[Meanderer]

..buy bargains throughout the year as and when I see them and especially in January sales.

[MissRee]

Amazon Black Friday deals are where I buy most of my Christmas presents crazy discounts!

[AtticusMcPlatypus]

I do most of my shopping online and search for vouchers/glitches/offers first. I also use loyalty points and vouchers for presents. Tesco Boost has really helped out this year. I also keep an eye on HotUKDeals and MSE for deals.

Hate the stress of real shopping at Xmas so unless i absolutely have to force myself to a shopping centre, all my purchases are online and I find this helps to control the budget and its much easier to resist a lot of the festive crap stuff that is churned out by the barrel load at this time of year.

[feelingcalm]

I have found Reastie's thread sooo helpful

[MrsCakesPremonition]

DH has converted some of his wages to Sainsbury's vouchers - so our food shop is 10% off.

We still have some Tesco vouchers left from pre-Sainsbury days, so we'll be doubling them up to get the DCs some toys.

I use Quidco everywhere I can. I plan to never pay RRP.

I have a list of people I am buying for and I spend hours surfing for ideas and then looking for the best prices.

This year we are doing up DS's bedroom to make it into a proper boys room - some of the extra accessories (which I would have bought anyway) will be appearing as Christmas presents to bulk out the number of presents he gets to unwrap. TBH I often slip in some presents that I would have bought anyway (new PJs, pants etc.) to add to the mound of wrapping paper.

I buy wrapping paper and labels in the January sales.

[NotCitrus]

If you're going to buy food/drink/toiletries type generic gifts for people you aren't going to see until after Christmas, buy them after Christmas. Ditto most of your food and drink for the festive period.

And just don't over-buy. Unless you risk being snowed in.

[whattodoo]

I have a list of people I need to buy for. Start early(ish), Aug/Sept and pick up things as and when I see them. Or find ideas then look online to get them cheaper.
I use reward deals (such as clubcard boost) and special event such as Sainsburys toy sale.
I then generally have one day in a shopping centre, finishing up all those gifts I've yet to find. Looking at the stores for inspiration but mostly getting ratty and frustrated.
I'm usually still panic-shopping for the sticking right up until the last minute.

[IAlwaysThought]

I put a LOT Of time and thought into getting presents. I use MN bargain threads, Money Saving Expert bargain threads and HotDeals. I don't buy anything unless I actually want it.

I don't buy stuff just for the sake of it. I can afford to spend what I like but I hate to be wasteful so I only want yo buy things people will like and use.
I keep receipts just in case I am wrong. I won't buy for companies with a poor returns policy.

I generally shop online but if I am in a store I will double check the online price. I don't mind paying a little more in shops though.