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

We spread the cost throughout the year - we keep an eye out for bargains here and on MSE forums and then put them away. We need to get better at making a list of what we actually have, though.

With my parents and my grandparents, we recommend them things to buy for the children. We know what they have and what their current interests are, and if we can't think of anything they are happy to send a cheque for the bank accounts instead, or they buy one of the gifts we have bought already. It's much easier, we find that the toys all get played with for a long time (rather than used a couple of times and forgotten) and it limits the amount of tat stuff we have lurking in the house.

Agree with earlier posters -

• start early, gives time to find the best bargains and reduces the risk of the dc's must have toy being oos and you then having to pay £££ for it on ebay been there
• I do make a list of everyone I have to buy for, then jot down ideas next to their name and tick off once I've bought, and once pressie has arrived (if online shopping). This avoids the situation of getting all the presents out on Christmas eve and wondering who the hell I bought that for yes, been there too
• definitely google for codes for money off and the bargain thread here is fab!

The biggest part of my Christmas is thinking about how someone will feel when I give them their present and spending as much time with my loved ones as possible.

I will ask friends and family if there is something special they would like and then hone my ideas down to two each. The internet is a wonderful way of finding the best prices for presents and I will pick the item that is right. I don't actually buy the presents until a week before the big day because that is when I feel most Christmassy. As well as this working in a London department store means I can get the best deals and get them gift wrapped all at once.

With the food shopping I am much more prepared, every week for the two months before we add in items that will be part of the festivities like the meats, chestnuts, goose fat, fish, biscuits and chocolates. This is a great idea for two reasons it is cheaper with earlybird deals and it means less stress in the week of Christmas.

If you're super-organised and buy pressies during the year when they're on offer / MSE announce a glitch, DON'T forget where you've hidden them, or be so chuffed at getting a present you know your loved one will adore that you can't resist giving it to them early... Slinks off in shame

Work out your budget, work out what you can get for that budget that is suitable, then search around for the best deal. Don't forget Cashback sites to shave a few more pounds off.

Set a budget and they do comparisons online for the cheapest...

Start early. Stockpile prizes. Have a nice safe secure hidey-hole. Plan ahead. Enter lots of competitions. Read Mumsnet for more advice!

I tend to do the majority of my shopping online for various reasons, the main one being you can usually find it much cheaper than on the High Street. I also go through a cashback site for all my purchases and over the lad couple of years I have made £1500+ by doing this. It really is 'money for nothing'!

I look out for my favourite items when they're on offer, either BOGOF or 2 for 3 etc then stock up so I never run out & get them at the best possible price

I enter as many competitions as possible for presents that my kids would love throughout the year. If I win it's a bonus and one less thing to worry about! I look out for bargains at the start of the year to put away and tend to share the cost with family members on 3for2 etc. as for food, I buy what I need to buy at Xmas and not go overboard on stuff that will go to waste and I freeze what I don't use if I can.

I buy bargains I see during the year and also take advantage of offers where you buy one get one free etc. Some items have a good expiry date and it is not as if they eat any bread or cheese, so I am happy to bring them home! Some items are bought in the January Sales the previous year, if they are not perishable items. I also do competitions throughout the year which brings a few bits and sometimes, I buy shopping vouchers throughout the year as and when I can afford them, which is handy to top up presents or if you get unexpected extra visitors over the festive period you can write them a card and give them some vouchers!

I write a list of what I want to buy and also what I have already bought its easy to overspend because you forget what you have already bought. I research online for the best prices and use Moneysavingexpert and hotdeals to try and get the best prices

ebay is my best friend - i can get it delivered to somewhere else.

hate shopping

I shop around on line and note the best deals on food and if there are foods which can be frozen, I stock up on those in my freezer. I take advantage of deals such as buy 1 get 1 free and a couple of months before Christmas, I often look in the shops for some bargains. I do competitions which brings a lot of bits and pieces throughout the year which I can use for Christmas and birthday presents. I sometimes buy gifts by bidding for them on e-bay if they are new and unused. I also recycle some presents given to me!

I really get a huge amount of joy and hapiness when I see my favorites to open my gifts and Christmas is a great opportunity...........

I try to make lists throughout the year of things I think people will like then keep my eye open for bargains throughout the year.

I try to buy on-line because it easier to compare prices and find discount codes ... I try not to leave it too late though because delivery becomes more of an issue as you get closer to Christmas and savings can be wiped out by expensive delivery charges,

We have a strict budget for both food and presents, and I buy gifts throughout the year whenever I spot a suitable bargain!

The key is to spread the cost - start buying presents on an opportunity basis early. We start buying ours in the post Christmas sales (some great bargains to be had) and throughout the year. Come Christmas it's all done - and more importantly - paid for!

dont wait until christmas season.if i see something i get it because the price can sometimes be lower when they dont want it to seel as a present.
quidco for if they want mobiles or bigger items.
online food shopping is very helpful.and better for not getting carried away by isles of chrismtas goodies.
starting a xmas shelf in the cupbarod to put jars of sauce,non perishable etc.
amazon are great.and i try to wait until there are a few items i want so i dont get charged delivery fee over and over.
chekcing amazon against play.com too as that can have offers.
check comparison sites for big items.espceically technology.making sure you have a made thew right choice is important.

go online to check prices before hitting the highstreet

I start my shopping early then use a supermarket price comparison for my food shopping. I also use comparison sites for gifts too - to check which stores, either online or offline sell the items I want at the cheapest price. I also use coupons and discount vouchers and I save points throughout the year on my Sainsbury's Nectar card and put a £1 a week on my Iceland card - then spend at Christmas!

I always shop around for the best prices and ifi see something throughout the year I'll get it

Make sure you just take money with you that you can afford to spend, leave your credit cards at home that way you won't be tempted to go over drawn it's so easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and after Xmas when your credit card bill lands on your mat you will regret it if you have run up a Huge bill on your card.

I Christmas shop from October onwards and use my loyalty store points built up over the year. Other gifts are bought on impulse but I rarely stray from the same few shops and generally try to either use a discount card or get more loyalty points.

Start stocking up on food and presents early and I'm also more likely to shop around and visit discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl.