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Make a list for Christmas

With snow falling and Christmas less than ten days away, Santa's not the only one making a list. Households all over the country are busily drawing up lists of presents, food and party invites as they prepare for the fun of the festive season.

And that's a good thing, says the IVA Advisory Centre. "The more thought we put into the costs of Christmas, the easier it is to make sure it we don't get carried away and end up in debt," a spokesperson commented.

"It's a once-a-year occasion and of course the vast majority of us love entering into the spirit of the season, but it's important we think ahead to January too - and consider the impact it'll have on our finances once the season is over.

"This Christmas, it's particularly vital for millions of households. So many of us have struggled with rising costs and falling incomes this year, so there's no guarantee we'll be able to celebrate Christmas the way we normally would.

"That doesn't mean 'Christmas is cancelled', to coin a phrase, but it does mean we should take particular care to budget and plan our expenses before we hit the shops. After all, the forecasts for next year aren't exactly promising, so the last thing a household needs in the New Year is the extra worry of knowing they've over-spent in the festive season."