I have to admit that all I have thought about for the past month is Christmas and Kian’s presents and I haven’t even got round to sorting out Mr Hectic Mum’s Christmas presents yet. As he always comes after Kian there isn’t much money left in the pot for him! Thankfully Get The Label has some great designer branded clothing at reduced prices for me to treat him to.

For a trendy present, this crisp white shirt from Sonneti will carry him through to summer and the contrast black buttons looks really funky with skinny jeans and Converse All Star Ox trainers in white

We’re going for our traditional Boxing Day walk so I think I’m going to treat him to this Nanny State quilted jacket which is available in both black and navy blue and has a massive £65 off the RRP! Very Mr. Darcy!

Finally, I’ve bought Kian’s present to his dad – a Nike Peregrine tracksuit in contrast black and white which will be perfect for his new year’s football training sessions.

Order before this Saturday and you will be guaranteed delivery before Christmas.

Apparently the recession won’t stop us splashing out this festive season. A report in the News of the World says the average family will spend £665 on Christmas this year, which is more than 20% up on 2008.

Not that everone will be spending as if there’s no tomorrow though. I also stumbled across a survey on moneysupermarket.com that revealed that the average amount we splash out on our children’s Christmas presents is a bit more modest. The most common answer given is that we will spend about £50-100 per child and with most kids expecting a sackful of presents these days, that means bargain hunting is a must.

This Christmas Get The Label has a dedicated section for Christmas presents under £10 from designer brands including Adidas, Playboy and Bench. In fact, there are gift ideas for every budget with something available for everyone. Menswear, ladies’ fashion and children’s clothes are all included.

Some of the clothes are only available in selected sizes and there is limited stock of some items so, if you’re looking for the widest choice of designer labels at discount prices this Christmas, it would be best to get your order in early. There’s only five weeks to go!

Bought my first packet of Thomas The Tank Engine Christmas chocolate buttons in Mothercare over the weekend, I now officially dispise queing systems that plant product at every twist and turn. I also conceed that I have broken the unwritten rule of uttering the word Christmas in September! Yes, yes I did! In my job (head of marketing at Get The Label) Christmas is always on the brain but that doesn’t mean that I don’t make an audible gasp when I start to see Christmas cards and decorations in shops at this time of the year, not to mention Boots starting to display their ‘3-4-2 on Christmas gifts’ stuff already.

However, when I got my regular Money Magpie newsletter with a feature about saving for Christmas, I realised this probably is a good time to start forward planning - something I am usually rubbish at. So here are some tops tips I’ve collected, and some of my own knowledge, for making the countdown to Christmas a bit easier!

from sillydog.org

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