Your guide to a thrifty Christmas

Thrifty doesn’t have to mean cheap, or at least not in the Scrooge sense of the word. It simply means getting the most for your money and at no time of year is that more valuable than Christmas.

Saving money at every opportunity prevents you from starting the New Year in debt, making for a much happier Christmas for all.

No matter how many bargains you manage to pick up, there will always be that must-have toy that your child wants above all else. For these, check out netvouchercodes.co.uk.

A Disney Store voucher code could save you twenty percent or more on high street prices. Keep looking for deals throughout the run up to the festive season. If you can’t find any for the item you are after and you are feeling brave, wait until Christmas Eve as many shops begin their sales early nowadays.

Alternatively, make a home-made voucher for your child entitling them to the gift they want plus a fun day out sales shopping in town with you including lunch at their favourite cafe.

Set yourself a budget and make sure you stick to it. The best way to do this is to make a list of everyone you need to buy for and tally it with the total amount you can afford to spend.

Try to decide what to get people before you hit the shops to save yourself from making pricey impulse buys. Once you know what you want to get, check out the internet for deals or price comparisons.

 Homemade tea cup candle 

Home-made gifts are so much more personal than shop-bought presents. Bake cookies, make cards or put together a coupon book for a loved one full of promises for the new year, such as breakfast in bed, a great big hug or a commitment to washing the car once a month.

Many friends will be just as thrilled with a promise of babysitting for an evening than with a material gift. Make sure everyone knows your gifts are from the heart and try to make them as personal as possible.

One of the biggest areas of waste at Christmas time is food. Be realistic about just how much one family can eat and try to stick to foods everyone likes.

Sprouts and parsnips may be seasonal, but if your children only eat carrots and peas then they will just go to waste. Most supermarkets hike the prices of turkeys in the run up to the big day. Consider having a chicken or beef instead – they’re often tastier and will be a fraction of the cost.