Wise up this Christmas

With November just around the corner and the daylight hours dwindling, the Christmas season is drawing closer and closer. The event evokes images of families swapping presents and pleasantries, great turkey dinners and crowding round the television to watch the Queen’s speech.

However, the months and weeks before the 25 December represent a worrisome and torrid time for many parents, as they struggle to cope with the demands and costs that Christmas has come to represent. The race to secure the year’s must have item(s) is often a daunting one.

There is little chance of the UK’s boys and girls turning their attention away from costly items such as Playstation 3s and iPhones but there are a number of cheaper products that appeal. This can be seen by the Toy Retailers Association’s recently published Dream Toys 2009 list which gives parents an idea of what is expected to fly off the shelves this year.

Those on a tight budget will be pleased to know that the 12 toys/gifts all retail at under £50. The list has a distinctly classic flavour about it, with Lego, Sylvanian Families, Monopoly and Transformers all included. Modern entries are also included, with digital cameras specifically for toddlers among the frontrunners to perform well this Christmas.

Whatever you plan to buy this year, there are a few things that can be done to save precious funds. The first is not to overstretch yourself under any circumstances. Taking out a credit card with a stonking rate to buy half of the electrical counter in Dixons might seem like a good idea at the time, but Wii Olympics will not put a roof over your children’s head come February, neither will it feed them.

This may seem obvious, but thousands of parents leave themselves in a financial mess for years to come by spending well beyond their means. If you can afford to put some or all of your Christmas shopping on plastic, then a cashback card may be worth thinking about, many have competitive rates; while up to 5% of your total spend is also up for grabs, although such a deal will only be available for a limited time frame. Remember You can always look at the shoppers favourite, the 0% purchase credit card too.

Savvy savers have long shopped online, as many of the high street stores offer internet only prices. These can be further bettered with online codes which can be easily tracked down by typing ‘voucher codes’ into a search engine. There are literally hundreds to be found, with many offering great savings of ten or 20%. Cashback sites have long been championed by consumer campaigners and should also be considered this Christmas.

However, the High Street should not be discounted outright. Many stores will be looking to shift stock in the coming weeks and months, especially as Christmas draws nearer. Don’t be afraid to barter either, especially on big ticket items such as televisions, computers, sound systems and digital cameras. You’d be surprised how often there is movement on prices.

Whatever the purchase, online or in store, do bear in mind that paying for items worth £100 or more with a credit card means your gift is covered should the firm you are buying from go bust, or the goods are faulty.

Happy shopping.