One of the easiest ways to blow cash at Christmas is by going overboard on decorations, cards and wrapping paper destined for the recycling bin.
But thankfully there are plenty of simple cutbacks to conserve your festive budget – starting with the all-important tree.
Oli Townsend, of MoneySavingExpert, says: “Buying a real 6ft Christmas tree can easily set you back about £50 but you can cut down the cost if you’re near an Ikea.
“Buy one of its £25 real Christmas trees and you’ll be given a £10 voucher to spend in store in the New Year.
“If you’d be spending the £10 there any- way, it’s effectively a £15 Christmas tree.”
If you need new baubles and are ready to wrap the gifts to go under that lovely new tree, try to hold off for a week or so. Oli says: “Mid-December is often the best time to pick up cheap decorations, crackers and wrapping paper.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen big stores such as Argos, John Lewis and M&S slash prices – usually by up to 30% or 50% – so they can flog as much as they can before Christmas.”
Better still, get creative. Oli adds: “To save even more, have a go at making your own decorations such as cutting out snowflakes. A quick search online will bring up loads of crafty ideas.”
We’ve compared prices on a range of festive items and found cracking Christmas savings of more than £860.
Artificial spruce
The perfect height for little ones – and big ones – who love hunting for their presents under the tree.
Bargain: Argos, £11.25,
Pricey: Hayes Garden World, £79.50
SAVING £68.25
Baubles
Add shine to your tree with colourful decorations that don’t break the bank.
Bargain: Wilko 35-pack small winter mix red baubles (on 3 for 2 offer), £3
Pricey: Anthropologie, 12 for £72
SAVING £69
Crackers
It’s not Christmas dinner without a groan-worthy joke and a paper crown.
Bargain: Wilko, 6 for £3
Pricey: Claridge’s Christmas Crackers, 6 for £85
SAVING £82
Indoor lights
Give your home a glow-up with some pretty fairy lights.
Bargain: Asda George Home, £2
Pricey: Harrods twinkle micro wire lights, £65
SAVING £63
Tinsel
Deck your halls with shimmering strands of joy from as little as £1. Mix and match your colours or pick a stylish monochrome.
Bargain: Amazon green tinsel, 15m for £3.39, above. Asda George Home, 3m for £1 in gold, red or silver
Pricey: Homebase iridescent white tinsel, 2m for £9.95
SAVING £8.95
Christmas cards
Bring back the round robin with a pretty pack of festive cards.
Bargain: Tesco, 15 for 50p
Pricey: Story of Elegance, 6 for £48
SAVING £47.50
Chocolate coins
Stuck for stocking filler ideas? We all love a bag of chocolate coins.
Bargain: Asda, 75g for 59p
Pricey: Fortnum and Mason, 100g for £5.95
SAVING £5.36
Life-sized Santa
Blow your neighbours’ minds with a life-sized Santa keeping a watchful eye for entries on his naughty list.
Bargain: Tri at Amazon, £6.59
Pricey: Yorkshire Trading Company, £99.99
SAVING £93.40
Festive napkins
Mop up spillages without making a mess of your budget this Christmas.
Bargain: Asda, 200 for £1
Pricey: Lakeland snowflake pre-folded napkins, 12 for £6.99
SAVING £5.99
Light up reindeer
Set them up in the garden or have them proudly on display inside.
Bargain: Keengardener.co.uk, £11.84
Pricey: lights4fun.co.uk, £94.99
SAVING £83.15
Santa hat
Bargain: Party Delights, 69p
Pricey: Etsy, £70
SAVING £69.31
'Santa Stop Here' sign
Make sure he knows where to visit with a Santa Stop Here sign.
Bargain: Sainsbury’s, £6
Pricey: Ink & Drop, £85
SAVING £79
Tree topper
Opt for a traditional star or go all-out with an unconventional choice of topper.
Bargain: Mano Mano silver star, 64p
Pricey: Georg Jensen gold-plated star at John Lewis, £90
SAVING £89.36
Wrapping paper
Get it all wrapped up with savvy deals on rolls.
Bargain: Asda George Home, 10m for £1
Pricey: The White Company Grey Starry Night Wrapping Paper, 10m for £16
SAVING £15
Artificial wreath
Even cheaper than making your own – and it’ll last for years.
Bargain: Yorkshire Trading Company, £3.99
Pricey: Wild At Heart’s Highland Charm Wreath, £85
SAVING £81.01
