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

Follow the MN Xmas bargain threads...Reastie must've saved us all a fortune by now!

I tend to plan out what I want to give to each person and then spend a lot of time researching on the internet before purchasing. I do tend to save up all year long so that nothing goes on credit cards and we usually have everything paid for, wrapped and ready to go weeks before Christmas so we don't impulse buy items at the last minute.

I guy gifts early on, especially for my boys. If I can find them on offer, all the better.
I buy wrapping paper, cards, decorations etc in the sales after Christmas so I don't have to worry about them or how much they'll be next time.
Most of the food will be bought with supermarket vouchers.
I also shop Boots 3for2 gifts in the sales with points so I can get good bargains for smellies.
I always use a cashback site if I'm buying online and use a comparison site to check I'm getting the best deal.

I spread the cost over November and December, buying gradually, using coupons and shopping around. I look up comparisons of prices on the internet before buying larger items. But I think the biggest and best saving is just by not buying much extra! Meal plans and treats are only slightly adapted for Christmas and we don't buy many presents. Its just not necessary and not what its all about for us.

Buy things as and when I see a good deal, have an idea for what I want for each person and try to get the best price possible. I put some money away on a separate debit account during the year which is only for presents and emergencies, so everything doesn't come out of my main account and give me a shock.

Some people are spur of the moment, but bigger items I pricecheck and look/wait for the best deal.

I start buying things in the January sales...normally just little things for my own dcs (like 'fancy' scarves/hats/gloves that I wouldn't normally consider buying), then try to pick up nice cosmetics/wash stuff/cook books etc in the summer sales.

Apart from that, its a bit more ad hoc, but MN is always a good place to start: it's a great source of inspiration, reviews and suggestions for tricky dh family members. I'm enormously grateful to the MN Christmas bargains threads as there are some brilliant bargains to be found on them and to the discount codes topic....!

I get a rough idea in my head of what I'd like to buy people (eg I might think Barbie, but haven't decided what Barbie toy to get) then in October/November I keep my eyes peeled on money saving forums for any deals that people post that I can snap up quickly. I save money, and starting earlier means you won't have the disappointment of shops being sold out

I pick things up throughout the year a bit at a time and save a little every month for larger presents and food but I always have everything done and dusted by the end of November present wise

I always know what I'm going to buy early then look for it on offer from September onwards. I use a combination of online and high street to get the best deals!

I start looking for what i need to buy in october, first purchase generally made then, then in November i ensure the products like tablets, game consoles etc are bought from black Friday deals on amazon, the only problem with this is you have to know a product but not a specific item. other than that i use UK hotdeals to try and get things that are relivent to the person i am buying for.
All my shopping is done online unless a better deal can be found in store, and as nearly 95% of stores have a website with prices its easier than you think.

I spread the shopping out, get a little each month, spreads the cost that way

I start early and buy bits and pieces throughout the year.

I try and pick things up as we're going along, and try and plan things such as home made gifts like oils and spirits as far in advance as possible to allow them to infuse

I make a list, and use quidco when buying online.
I buy presents when I see them - esp on offer - and save them til Christmas. Mainly buy online, as can't think of much worse than crowded shops.

careful sifting of comparison web site and strategic use of vouchers and coupons, maximising 'price match' offers from large firms such as john lewis ensures i pay as little as possible for the bigger gifts at christmas.

I do my best to get things throughout the year, but if I'm missing presents for anyone I do tend to panic buy at the last moment.

I save all year so I don't have to use credit, then I buy bits and pieces during the year (especially if I find things on offer) and put them away. Then I shop around as much as possible.

I use smartphone apps to scan the barcodes of items that I would like to buy as presents which then compares prices with other shops

I decide what I will buy each person getting a gift then price check against websites where I could buy that item. I usually buy for my children first their main presents then move into the other family members.

I check price comparison sites daily, and the grabbit forums on MSE to take advantage of any sudden price reductions or online glitches. Over the year I build up loyalty points and try to hang on to them till the January sales so I can re-stock my present drawer really cheaply - the Boots 75% off sale is great for this!

honestly, I just don't "do" Christmas like that.

My family spends the day together and that's it. No presents, just dinner and company. Dinner doesn't cost all that much more than a normal week's shop, so it's not hard to budget for that. If people want to bring a food or drink to share, it's very welcome. It's been a lovely way to introduce new people to the family. I still remember the home-made spring rolls we had one year!

Any Christmas consumables such as wrap, tags, decorations etc are purchased in the January sales.

Gifts are purchased throughout the year. I have an app which lists all of the people that I have to buy for, ideas and budgets and so I buy whenever I see something suitable on offer or when I can get it cheaper using an offer code etc. This means that the cost is spread throughout the year and I don't have to hit the heaving shops in December!

I use comparison sites to find the best deals on things I would like to buy. I've bought too many things in the past for top dollar only to find them cheaper elsewhere the next day - it's so frustrating so now I always check around and it saves me so much money.

i use coupons throughout the year which can save a lot . i have savings with park hampers that help towards christmas , i get a lot of gifts in the sales and then save with supermarket saving stamps for food shop