It is possible to pick up freebies for stocking fillers and get Christmas dinner bargains if you know the right places to look.

The average person will spend over £1,100 this Christmas on gifts, food, drink and going out – a significant chunk of most people’s monthly pay at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch from the cost of living,” says Jane.

And of course, treating loved ones to a special gift, watching children unwrap gifts and having fun at parties is part of what makes this time of year so special. But it doesn’t have to come at the cost of additional credit card debt and definitely should not mean taking out loans.

Last year, over 1.5 million families took out loans to pay for presents, according to research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This will probably increase anxiety rather than enjoyment and should definitely be avoided.

There are lots of smart way to cut the cost of Christmas, without cutting down on the joy of the season.

Some of them require planning in advance and some, like the Christmas Eve scrum at the supermarket, might require some bravery! But the deals and freebies are definitely out there if you’re prepared to put in the time.”

Here are my top tips for a freebie Christmas

Freebie Christmas Gifts

You can pick up freebies or seriously reduced prices for stocking fillers from websites like https://www.latestfreestuff.co.uk, https://www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk or https://wowfreebies.co.uk/christmas-freebies/

Enter competitions

It’s a competition, so there’s no guarantee, but spend some time entering competitions to see what you can win in time for Christmas. Try websites like
https://superlucky.me or https://www.theprizefinder.com/.

Sign up for newsletters from your favourite brands and retailers to receive notifications about free samples or promotional deals in the run up to Christmas for loyalty card members e.g. https://www.johnlewis.com/content/treats-of-christmas or the Sparks Card from Marks and Spencer.

Skill swap with friends and family

Whether it’s a talent for cards, crafts, cakes or chocolate, plan with friends and family to spread the cost and get unique gifts and treats without the price tag from stores.

Freecycle

Check out local recycling and sharing sites such as https://www.freecycle.org/ and re-gift unwanted or pre-loved gifts of your own. It’s also a great way to reduce our environmental footprint by reducing what gets thrown away.

Freebie Christmas Dinner

If you’re prepared to take a risk, you would not believe the discounts which you will find in supermarkets on Christmas Eve. You’ll have to join the crowds but from about 4pm the supermarkets will all be slashing the prices on their Christmas food range in particular and sometimes you’ll be able to walk away with a freebie!

The best deals will be found at the stores which are closed both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

You can also use supermarket reward points to stock up on Christmas goodies and food sharing apps such as Olio to source free food and drink locally https://olioex.com/ (It also has non-food items too!)

Freebie cards

Send free Christmas e-cards using free trials on sites such as https://www.123cards.com/christmas-ecards/
If you’ve not already done so then get started with your freebie hunt asap as opportunities and offers tend to be limited.

The balance between supporting the retail sector at a time when they need us most whilst also keeping costs down in the year of the squeeze is a tricky one. If you can afford to splash the cash then please do so but if you do need to save money then I hope my tips help.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many ways you can still treat your loved ones this Christmas but spend less doing so. After all, is it not the thought that counts?

Jane Hawkes, is founder of the consumer advice website www.ladyjaney.co.uk, says