What you can do now to cut your Christmas costs

Is it ever too early to start planning for Christmas spending?

In truth, it is not too early at all. The sooner you put money aside, the easier the cost is to manage.

For some households, the pressure is especially severe. Charity Barnardo's has warned that some parents may skip meals so their children can have a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Debt advice charity StepChange is sharing advice for everyone, aimed at preventing festive spending from turning into a difficult start to the new year.

The organisation says the best way to avoid a painful January is to make a realistic plan before the spending starts.

Even small choices made now can have a large effect later. Its advice includes:

• Budget for Christmas in full. That means more than presents: include food and drink, travel, parties, gifts, postage, decorations and any other festive extras.

• Spread the cost. Do not depend only on your December pay packet. Make a shopping list before Black Friday, as a discount only matters if you were planning to buy the item anyway.

• Book your train journey now. Where advance fares are available, they are usually cheaper.

• Set spending limits. Put a ceiling on what you spend on Christmas socialising, and talk openly with family and friends about gift budgets.

• Stocktake before the big food shop. Check your cupboards, fridge and freezer before buying more, and plan meals around what you already have. Write a list of what you still need and compare prices.

• Think twice. Can you really afford what you want to buy? If you use credit, can you manage the repayments? And do you genuinely need it?

“Christmas is a time when we want to enjoy ourselves and make things special for the people we care most about,” said Vikki Brownridge, chief executive of StepChange.

“But it can also put a lot of pressure on household budgets, and it is key to take steps to get ahead of any January financial blues.”

If Christmas spending is likely to leave you in debt, it is best to seek help well before the situation becomes unmanageable.

The independent MoneyHelper website has guidance on finding free debt advice nearby.

It also offers tools to check whether you are receiving all the benefits and grants you may be entitled to, along with advice on drawing up a budget.

It is also important to stay alert to scams at this time of year. Fraudsters often seize opportunities to catch people out, especially when money is tight.