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

Always write a list of names, budget and ideas. Always stick to the budget. Look in sales for bargains. Compare prices on the internet. Use the topcashback site when buying online to get cash back on purchases. Don't just go and buy, you'll always find it cheaper elsewhere.

shop everywhere for food and gifts and know your prices so you know if something's a good deal - last year i got alot of the kids pressies from charity shops, good stuff with the added bonus of being greener and easier for them to get into when unwrapping because all of the packaging had gone!

Listen.....people will give you clues without realising it. Then go online and see if you can find what you want, if not get wrapped up against our inclement weather and get out there!

I write a list and then research online. Depending on what the present is I might then buy online or look at the article on the high street and decide whether to buy or go home and order.

Every year I start Christmas present shopping in February to get hold of the best bargains throughout the year to ensure my kids get the best of what I can afford for them

I have a reasonably good idea of what the people I buy gifts for would like to have so I start shopping early (September'ish) when you have more chance of being able to get what you want to buy. I also use 'loyalty points' where possible whenever they are giving double exchange value for them - this can save lots of cash.

I Christmas shop at the end of Christmas for next year. End of the season is where my savings come from. I've also got the loyalty point of my cards to rely on. If all this fails I shop around for the best bargain. I keep on the move for good buys all the time!

I have a spreadsheet with a list of who I need to buy for. I then have columns for ideas / costs and then a brought / received / wrapped / delivered to recipient. Being organised does help me keep a check on my spending so that it doesn't get out of control.

I mainly shop online but we do also do one big Christmas shop session where we pick up bits and browse for inspiration too.

I do wish I started earlier though, I tend to start last week of November.

If your not seeing someone/family until after Christmas then buy their presents in the sales after Christmas - you will save loads and they will never know!

One of the best ways I save money is by not buying presents for EVERYONE. My family plays a dice game on Christmas day in which we roll to win presents. Everyone buys three gifts for the game, costing no more than £10 each. That means that everyone in the family get three presents, but nobody has to spend more than £30. It's fun and a good way to bond too.

I save a little every month throughout the year for Christmas and birthday gifts.

I decide in early Autumn what to get everyone and watch ebay and Amazon for the best prices.

If I see something I know someone would like at a good price, earlier in the year, I get it and put it away.

I start seriously buying gifts in September. I usually have everything bought and wrapped by mid December.

I put my accrued cashback (from topcashback.co.uk) towards larger gifts.

If I know someone wants an expensive item, I may buy it second hand. I'd let them know of course and give them the choice between say, a second hand ipad, or a new Huddl.

I almost never buy on the high street - it leads to impulse buys and overspending. They almost never have what I want in stock anyway. Buying online means that I know I'm getting the best deal.

We do secret Santa with some of the family so we are allocated 1 person, that way, we can spend a little more to get a great present rather than wasting money on pointless things.
We also chose to go to centre parcs as a family, the cost of this was put present to each other.

I decide in advance what gifts I am buying then stick to the list, I also use the internet to search out the best price for the items and look for any money off offers too

I always check online before shopping.I love me and my Hubby making a day of shopping,just us two with a nice lunch.Try and do it all in one day.

i buy items on offer thoughout the year and put them away ,also go thought the christmas book and if i see an item i compare online to see if it cheaper elsewhere x

thank for sharing, i often buy online uk voucher codes at hot-voucher.co.uk/

I look to buy presents from October onwards. I do have a list and then try to stick to it. I try and plan before I go shopping what I want for each person.

I do online surveys throughout the year and get paid in high street vouchers or paypal which I save towards Christmas which is a great help

I always leave it late, always saying I will do it early the following year but never do. I do allocate what each person will get and then go searching the net for money off codes, check different cash back sites to get the best bargains I can. I always buy loads of silly stocking fillers too.

I buy as much as I can through the year, starting with the January sales. I make sure not to buy early for the fussier recipients, as it could be a costly mistake, something which I know they would love in April, they may hate by December!
When I have my list of gifts for people that I still have to buy for, I then hit the moneysaving & voucher websites, to see if I can trim some more off the cost

We start shopping early and are on the look out for bargains/deals from September onwards which helps spread the cost plus gives us more time to look for the best deals. For the adults in the family we set a budget and put the money together and then make hampers which include food, cosmetics and little keepsakes our son makes. This allows us to buy stuff when its on offer or multibuys. This year we allowed £100 to make 5 hampers and so far we have only spent £30 and they are almost finished and look great.

Have a budget and stick to it. Search online for the best price for your items ... but most of all enjoy it!

Start planning as early as possible, I set a budget for each person then look for ideas suited to them and within budget, compare prices online, and most importantly dont leave it until the last minute when you end up paying more.

Think what you want for each person and stick to it, discount codes are your best friend :)

I start looking for presents in early November, and will check prices online to see the cheapest place to buy them. I cashback sites to save a bit of money too.

I keep an eye on discounts posted online, buy any bargains, stash them in the loft and then worry about who is having it later! It's really handy too for last minute birthday party invites, etc. Then when it comes to Christmas, I go up there and choose a selection to gift. The stash never runs completely empty and I only have to worry about the children's main presents nearer the time.