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

Always set a budget per person and stick to it, and agree with older family members not to do presents - seems pointless spending money to buy presents that no-one needs, instead just buy a nice card and go and see them.

Budget set for DH and I and the only adults we buy for are the DMs.

We don't go crazy buying everything our DC want but focus on the key presents. Quite a few relatives ask for suggestions and we get them to cover some of the wishlist which helps manage our family budget.
Non-perishable food treats and drinks are bought in advance when we see offers.
Wrapping paper, cards and crackers are bought in the sales and stored with Christmas decorations so they don't get forgotten. Last year's cards always used for present tags.

This year my husband and i saved with Park, which really helped us! We have started saving for next year already. First christmas that we havent worried about money x

Save each week From January (20 per week), ensures no unexpected bills!

£100 Secret Santa budget among the adults, so everyone gets one great and wanted present, but nobody ends up spending too much. The kids in the family get £15 presents from aunts, uncles and grandparents.

DH and I put money in DS account as he is still little, and then buy a few small token things for him, since he's too small to really need lots of presents.

We don't tend to give each other Christmas presents but instead will go out for one lovely dinner just before Christmas as that seems to be more memorable and generally costs less than big gifts too! (DH does get a stocking but it's usually practical things like socks, razors and so on - poor man, not ver magical!).

I buy wrapping paper etc in January when it's so much cheaper and also do pick up little stocking fillers for DH as and when I see them in the few months before December.

I prepare!
Get presents as early as possible to stretch the cost over a few months.
Set a budget.
Put money away each month. Sell any unwanted bits and bobs in the house after the bit autumn clear-out to have a bit of extra money.
For food, list everything you will need for each recipe and learn to compromise at times.
Look out for deals for gifts (Argos toy sale, cyber Monday, black Friday)

It's all basic stuff but it is just sticking to it. It makes for a much less stressful Christmas!

As others have said 'have a budget and stick to it' Christmas has become so materialistic and a constant competition to "keep up with the Jones'" I think reigning it back and actually taking stock of what to buy is a must.

What has helped me immensely the last three years is doing paid surveys where payment is in vouchers - I used mine (mainly) on Amazon but they can be collected for Argos Boots M&S and other retailers. I had over £200 this year so that has paid for a huge chunk of my Christmas shopping

Agree with on. Only spend what you already have - nothing on credit. Then enter competitions to win vouchers!

Put away a few £'s weekly.

I buy cards and wrapping paper in January sales, presents from September to spread the cost, buy them 3 for 2 and save my Advantage points to pay for them. I aslo start buying store cupboard foods at the same time.

It's a boring reply,. but watch your budget and don't over-spend. And make sure all the food you didn't eat over Christmas is frozen and used instead of buying new food in January.

We always work to a budget and if we go over than we cut back on ourselves. That way no nasty surprises in the new year

I don't overspend before Christmas.

I have saved quite alot each month by shopping around at places like Lidl, Aldi and discounted shops - these savings. I have also been doing a weekly meal planner and have made sure that I use up any left overs. All this money I have saved has covered Christmas this year. I started shopping in September and have finished now - which no loans, overdrafts, or borrowing from family! I buy my wrapping paper and cards in the January sales so no New Year debt for me!

Mainly, I try and ignore the fact I've been paid my end of December wages a week early. That has to last til end of Jan.

Also, I start shopping a few months early (I wish I could face getting the January bargains and storing them - but I don't).
The xmas bargain threads on here are really helpful, for ideas and deals.

Try not to be in competition with others to get the same amount or better. Only buy what you need and can afford!

I make a budget for everyone and stick to it. I also save up store vouchers through to be used at Christmas and shop around for the best deals online.

I spread the cost buying stocking fillers throughout the year. I buy wrapping paper, bows etc in the new year sales. I have a budget and stick to it. I have always been honest with my children what I can afford. The older ones have money and often shop in the sales and so get more for their money. We don't let the hype make us impulse buy and we tend to keep it modest concentrating more on stockings, good food, games, tv etc.

Start Christmas shopping as early as you can (January sales is a good time). Don't spend more than you can realistically afford, it's only one day out of the year, so don't feel pressured into buying the latest 'segway' gadget. Also don't over buy the Christmas food for the 'just in case someone comes' the shops are only closed one day out of the yearxx

I start Chirstmas shopping in the January sales and stow away a few pressies at regular intervals. I start the food shopping early by stocking up on freezer and cupboard items a bit at a time and also bake my own cake and mince pies etc.

I save up during the year so that it is not too bad... Also do not buy to excess on the food side of things as it only goes to waste...

I don't. I have come to terms that Christmas and birthdays have to be celebrate the best we can so after either I just sit and wait until I can get hold of the next coming in. It's a fact of life and living it.

Always start on January with the sales, set a budget for all people I buy for and take it easy, my children are very appreciative of any gift for example my son has asked for bright coloured socks! God love him xx

I get my daughter to make a list of everything she wants but explain to her that santa can only get her a couple of presents because he has to deliver lots of toys for lots of kids. I also tell her that other people will get her presents too but not if they are too expensive. I save up each month and usually have around £275 by december to spend on presents :)

buy in january sales, offers throughout the year helps too