How do you avoid a post-Christmas financial hangover? Share your tips with Lloyds Bank and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

[ZaneMumsnet]

We've been asked by Lloyds Bank to get Mumsnetters' tips and tricks for stretching every pound in the run-up to Christmas.

”Christmas is a joyous time of the year, however, many parents find it difficult to truly enjoy it. Somehow, your money (and time) is needed to cover presents, food, drink and travelling amongst many other expenditures. We would love to hear how you make sure Christmas doesn’t leave your bank balance a Santa shade of red.” – Lloyds Bank

So, what's your secret? Do you have a special knack to shopping that saves you pounds? Or are you more into the homespun approach, making your own gifts (and fun). Have you perfected the art of negotiating a lengthy list to Santa with a budget in mind? We’d love to hear your top tips.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

start early, a little and often.

budget, budget, budget.

Remember January is long - and December's pay comes early. Try to have xmas finished BEFORE December's pay so you don't use it.

I try to stick to a budget and pay as I go

I feel under a lot of financial pressure in the run up to Christmas as I get hit with unpredictable extra household bills like the car service and MOT in December! I have 9 children so I have to start the Christmas shopping very early and get what I can in the sales all year round and hide it all up the loft out of sight! I also make the most of my nectar points and Tesco club card boosts to stretch the pounds out a bit further. I recycle my decorations every year and I usually have wrapping paper and cards that I bought in the post-Christmas sell off. If I run out, then Poundland is always very good for cheap paper! Poundland is pretty good for sellotape, stocking fillers like sweets and other Christmas day bits and this keeps costs down compared to many other stores. It is starting to get a lot harder now the eldest children are teens and pre-teens as they feel under pressure to have the latest gadgets or consoles and unfortunately I don't have the cash to buy them, but I won't go into to debt over Christmas purchases so we have to make do with the budget we have and find gifts in the right price range. Sticking to the budget is key as there is no point in making life difficult for the new year. We try to make Christmas experience based, lots of fun together, going out places together, making things together and meeting up with family as this gives you the the memories. In 5 years time the kids won't remember what they had for Christmas, but they will hopefully remember the fun they had doing things with their family and friends.

i have quite a few children of similar age in the family to buy for, I choose a different children's classic book collection each year from The Book People, and give them one each. Cover price is usually about £5/6, can actually cost as little as £1 each.

We save every week, and anything that is not used or worn for 6 months get put up on ebay and sold, we are ruthless about this! We don't over buy food as we hate waste, we make a lot of our cakes and puds, and look out for offers throughout the year, I use cashback sites for online shopping, and never borrow money for unnecessary spending.

i budget carefully saving a little each month to help with the extra december costs, buy little items thoughout the year and always buy quality christmas cards and wrapping paper in the januaray sales

I don't go mad with presents or food! When I see the piles of things some people have under their tree I find it just too much! Kids don't need that much, nor do they need everything handing to them on a plate! I don't exchange presents with family really unless I truly think of something I know will be perfect, so not buying just for the sake of it or because its expected.
As regards food I spread the cost over several weeks buying extra and making use of supermarket discount vouchers for larger spends. Again we plan everything carefully and don't overdo it and end up with too much, or waste!

Don't buy things just for the sake of it. Try personalised gifts as they are appreciated far more that over-priced shop bought tat.

We save for love to shop vouchers through the year, Jan-October.
Make a list of three gift ideas per person and which ever I can source cheapest wins.
Start shopping in Sept/October, i used to start earlier but I found i bought things that were too far out of season, that I forgot about or that the intended ended up getting for them selves.
Set a deadline, all shopping done by the second week in December (also the last birthday before Xmas) so I don't end up panic buying and over spending.
Buy Xmas cards, paper and gift tags in January sales and store with Xmas decorations so they don't get lost.
Save as much as possible from wages November/December so can safely spend in the sales!

I only buy using cash or a debit card so I can only spend what I have and not use credit and go into debt.

dont overspend pre christmas

We plan Christmas lunch so that we all bring part of the meal - sharing the cost around the whole family and making sure we don't over-cater. We only buy presents for children and our own partners - it's a Secret Santa for the grownups - takes so much of the pressure and hassle out of Christmas, saves us all lots of money and time, and it's also a lot of fun!!!

The best advice is not to spend more than you can afford. The best time to think about Christmas is Boxing Day - you can pick up things in the sales and/or save a little each month throughout the year so that you are more prepared when next December arrives.

Start buying early and try and put some money aside each month from wages

I start early and buy things in the January sales to put away and buy things throughout the year, I only buy what we can afford and never on credit

I am very pragmatic and don't go crazy - it is one day and there are more important things in life than material things, such as friendship, family and good health. I teach my children this also.

We don't celebrate xmas but I suppose just spend within your means - it's only xmas!

Spread the cost (start shopping early)

And buy everything on debit card (hide credit card in December!)

I start saving a little each month in January - that way when it comes to spending on food and presents in December I have money set aside. I make sure the money is kept in a separate account so I know how much I've got to spend!

I start with septembers pay, set a budget and shop around online. Using the mumsnet bargain threads has really helped.

I buy in sales and also second hand like gumtree. Just buy a fancy box if the toy doesn't come with one. I save2p and 1ps and also stamps on mmorrisons or iceland.

Make a list then halve it! Do you really need to buy so much.

I buy throughout the year then keep adding to it. I buy too much.

I have a tin that cannot be opened without a can-opener, and put just 'silver'coins in it throughout the year (especially £1.00 coins).

It develops well. This year when we opened it on Dec. 5th, there was £421.45p in it.

Thank you all for your comments. The winner of the prize draw is IonaAilidh11 :)

You can see a summary of your amazing contributions here :)