Setting budgets to homemade treats — readers share their Christmas spending tips

CREATING a perfect Christmas is an expensive business. After buying presents, food, decorations and much more, it can wipe out your bank balance. So I asked Sun Savers to share some of their festive money-saving suggestions to help readers reduce their spending. Here are my favourites . . .  Ellie Hadlington: “Set a budget of £20 for presents […]

CREATING a perfect Christmas is an expensive business.

After buying presents, food, decorations and much more, it can wipe out your bank balance.

Getty Images - Getty

Save some cash this Christmas with our readers’ top tips[/caption]

So I asked Sun Savers to share some of their festive money-saving suggestions to help readers reduce their spending.

Here are my favourites . . . 

Ellie Hadlington: “Set a budget of £20 for presents for each person. You can still get a lot of stuff for that amount if you shop smart.”

Claire Louise Haynes: “I collect my Tesco vouchers and saving stamps all year. You should also look for deals on products such as two-for-one offers.”

Patricia Drabble: “I have made a food hamper for my children and their family this year.

“I packed it with something that each member of the family likes, plus a couple of extra treats.

“Not only has this been cheaper for me to do but it will save them a small fortune too.”

Diana Smith: “You can make your own shortbread or flapjacks and gift wrap them. It’s much nicer and easier than trawling the shops for a present.”

Carol McKenzie: “Depending on where you live, there are probably charity shops or an aid charity where you can buy second-hand electrical goods such as televisions and gaming consoles.

“They are usually clean and electrically tested too, making them great for gifts.”

Paul Elliot: “If you have children and they usually receive gifts from other family members, you could all pool together to get them something they really want.

“It will make it cheaper for all of you and certainly make the kids happy, too.”

Carol Bull: “Every night I empty my purse of all the change and put it in a money jar.

“It’s surprising how much you can save.”

• All prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

PICK up a bargain at Tesco with the Shark anti-hair wrap flexology cordless vacuum cleaner. Was £349, now £189 until Tuesday.

SAVE: £160

Cheap treat

GRAB a 150g bar of M&M’s Crispy Block for £2 at The Co-Op before Tuesday, reduced from £2.50. If a Co-Op member, you can get them for £1.50.

SAVE: up to £1

Top swap

INSTEAD of paying £1.75 for a 150g pot of Dolmio tomato and basil stir-in sauce, try Asda’s own version for 59p. I can barely taste the difference.

SAVE: £1.16

Shop and save

THE Salter XL twin omelette maker is on offer for £19.99 at robertdyas.co.uk, reduced from £24.99.

SAVE: £5

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• PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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