| Reining in the purse strings over Christmas | | | | Santas has one. |
| without looking tighter than Kylie's hotpants takes | | | | Accessorize to the hilt |
| finesse, because let's face it, there are cheap | | | | Every friendship or family group has at least one |
| gifts, and then there are cheap gifts. The thing is, | | | | gadget-obsessed soul, and while their iPod-playing, |
| in the quest to save money the line can blur, and | | | | iPhone-ringing, laptop-using nature may drive you |
| while singing underpants may seem like a great | | | | crazy for most of the year, at Christmas it |
| buy in your bargain-hunting frenzy, your pals will | | | | opens up a load of budget Christmas gift options. |
| know they've been stiffed. | | | | Ladies and gents, enter the wonderful world of |
| If there are any friends you'd like to keep come | | | | gadget accessories! |
| January, stick to the following list: | | | | Get thrifty |
| Homemade gifts | | | | Old book stores and charity shops are a treasure |
| Contrary to popular belief, homemade gifts are | | | | trove of unclaimed gems just waiting to be |
| not consigned to the creative minds of children | | | | discovered, from antique books and jewellery to |
| and tree-hugging adults. In fact, there are a whole | | | | iconic toys and games from yesteryear for the |
| host of pretty cool things you can make with little | | | | kids. No-one's saying that you don't have to |
| skill or embarrassment. Anything from soaps and | | | | rummage through a whole world of junk to dig up |
| candles to jewellery and luxury sugar-loaded | | | | a winner, but if Del and Rodney can do it, so can |
| cakes are a sure-fire win. Just don't get too | | | | we all, right? |
| industrious... no-one's going to be impressed with a | | | | Affordable art |
| model made out of clothes pegs. | | | | God bless reprints and their ability to give |
| Use your skills | | | | everyone a bogus sense of style and intellect. |
| Got skills? Now is the time to put them to good | | | | Now you can impress your mates with any one |
| use. Painting, drawing, sculpting and carving are all | | | | of thousands of famous artists and |
| artistic clout you can mould into a Christmas gift | | | | photographers for next to nothing. And the best |
| without spending a penny. Hairdressers, beauticians | | | | bit? You get them to frame it. A dismal gift |
| and masseuses can all hop on board too. Average | | | | choice for any legitimate art collectors but a real |
| Joes, forget it and move on. | | | | winner for rest of us flunkies. |
| Bargain buckets | | | | Beware false economy |
| If battling tooth and nail for your Christmas gifts | | | | You know who you are. Come January this type |
| with the rest of the nation is still your thing, it is | | | | spend their time hunting in the sales not for |
| possible to take part in a spot of traditional | | | | themselves, but for next year's Christmas |
| Christmas shopping and stick to your budget at | | | | presents. The problem is, finding the perfect |
| the same time. In this case, salvation comes in | | | | Christmas gift is tough enough without having to |
| the form of gift offers. 3-for-2s, under £10 and | | | | pair someone up with a Rudolph the red-nosed |
| under £5 - you name it, in the run up to | | | | reindeer tie you picked up for 99p. That may |
| Christmas every shop worthy of its chocolate | | | | never happen. |