Christmas soon comes around every year and catches most people out. If you have left Christmas to the last minute only to discover that you can't really afford to go crazy, what can you do? Check out the following tips to avoid overspending at Christmas:

Set a realistic budget

I say realistic because you will only get stressed if you set yourself a really low budget.

Make a present list  

Make a list and check it twice or thrice. Make sure that you buy only for your most nearest and dearest and don't shop for the sake of it. Don't feel under pressure to buy extravagant presents for your child's class teacher, your window cleaner and the postman.

Skip the Christmas Cards

Remember people at Christmas with an email or if  you want to be more thoughful, send a nice letter by post in the new year when they will be less busy and will have time to read and appreciate it.

Be Careful With Offers 

Be careful with 3 for 2 offers and pre Christmas "sales" that make you buy more and things that you wouldn't otherwise buy.

Shop online

It makes sense for a multitude of reasons. Many websites offer free delivery and you save money in petrol, car parking and coffees and lunches whilst you are out shopping. Most importantly you will not be tempted as you are more likely to stick to  your list online and will not be distracted by fancy Christmas displays entincing you to shop unnecessarily.

Stocking Filler Bargains

Don't spend lots of money on childrens' stocking, check out shops like Pound Land and set yourself a small budget of 10 to 15 pounds and children. You will easily fill a stocking for 15 pounds in a pound shop. It is all about opening the bits and bobs on Christmas Day and not about spending a fortune on expensive stocking fillers!

Do Not Invite The World and His Wife Over For Christmas Day

Without being a scrooge don't invite the whole family over for Christmas dinner. You can invite people over for a cup of tea or a glass of wine in the evening over the Christmas period between Boxing Day or New Year.If you must have people around on Christmas Day invite them for turkey sandwiches in the evening or even better, accept their invites and you have saved yourself the cost of a whole Christmas dinner. Maybe you can meet half way by bringing the Christmas pud.

Go on Holiday 

That might sound like an extravagance but if you shop around you can find some good all inclusive deals all over the world. If you calculate what you would spend on food, presents and the post Christmas sales, it is likely that it amounts to more than a bargain holiday abroad in the sunshine.