From sharing a lift to a pot-luck dinner… Tricks money influencers use to save a fortune over Christmas

Christmas can be the most expensive time of the year. But money bloggers are experts at finding ingenious ways to cut costs.

Here, Lynn Beattie from Mrs Mummypenny, Al Baker from The Penny Pincher, Edmund Greaves from Mouthy Money, Roosa Mezher from Money Marshmallow and Esther Mukoro from Money Nuggets share their 21 tricks to help you celebrate Christmas in style on a budget.

1. Check out price comparison websites

Websites such as Idealo, Google Shopping or Kelkoo scour the internet looking for the best prices for items from electronics to food and drinks.

Some, like Idealo, will also tell you if prices are above or below their historical average, so you can see if you're getting a good deal or if prices are higher than normal.

2. A basket full of festive treats

Putting together your own basket costs a fraction of a dollar at the store – and you can customize it with your loved one's favorite treats.

You can save even more by baking your own cookies and cakes. The baskets themselves cost around £6 on Amazon, but you may be able to find them cheaper in charity shops.

3. Earn cashback on holiday shopping

Cashback websites such as Quidco and TopCashback allow you to earn by shopping online. You will need to sign up and click through from the cashback website to the store where you plan to make your purchase.

For example, you can currently earn up to 6% cashback on clothing, home and beauty at Marks & Spencer via TopCashback and up to 7 percent with Fortnum & Mason.

You can set up alerts on your computer from cashback websites that pop up and remind you when you can earn cashback when you make an online purchase. Visit their websites for more information on how.

4. Sign up to get more money

Some retailers will offer you a discount on your first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter.

5. Wait with that online purchase

Leave items in your online shopping cart for a day or two. Some retailers will send you a coupon to entice you to complete the purchase.

Make sure you've provided your email address so they know where to send a voucher or discount code (see above).

If you're purchasing an item that you fear will sell out or are taking advantage of a limited-time offer, you may not want to risk delaying it.

6. Buy a gift for the whole family

Instead of buying individual gifts for the members of a family, buy one for everyone, such as a board game or panettone that they will all enjoy.

7. Cashback benefits on credit card

Use a rewards credit card to pay for your holiday shopping. However, remember to pay it off in full before interest is charged.

One of the most generous is the American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday credit card, which offers 5 percent cashback for the first three months and up to 1 percent thereafter, as long as you spend at least £3,000 a year on it.

> Our pick of the best deals on cashback, rewards, debt settlement and airline points

8. Be picky when it comes to Secret Santas

Instead of buying a present for each member of a group of friends or family, you can agree to do a Secret Santa, where everyone is assigned just one person to buy a present for.

However, if you want to save money, say no to Secret Santas with people you don't know very well so that, for example, you aren't forced to buy a gift for a coworker you've barely spoken to.

9. Give someone the gift of time

Instead of a physical gift, offer a loved one the gift of time instead, such as babysitting or pet sitting or a chore such as sorting the garden or washing the car. If they are short on time, they may be grateful for the offer of a helping hand.

10. Redeem loyalty card points

Do you have old loyalty points at retailers such as Boots or supermarkets? This could be the time to use them to buy gifts without having to hand over a cent.

11. Make your own festive tags

Cut out old Christmas cards to make name tags. You save money and create less waste.

12. Host a potluck Christmas dinner

The cost of Christmas dinner this year is £31.71 for a family of four – for the main meal without the extra festive treats, according to consumer insights group Kantar Worldpanel.

So that no one has to bear the full cost, try a potluck Christmas dinner.

For example, you take care of the turkey, while someone else brings the roasts and another takes care of the Brussels sprouts.

13. Make a candle in an old teacup

Buy second-hand teacups from charity shops; you can usually find them for pounds or even cents if they don't match.

You can purchase candle making kits for significantly less than the cost of buying new candles.

Dunelm, for example, has a kit to make two candles for £14; The Works has one that makes two for £7.

14. Frozen turkey – fresh vegetables

Frozen turkeys are on average around £10 cheaper than fresh. However, supermarkets often make competitive offers on fresh vegetables needed for Christmas dinner, so choose fresh vegetables instead of frozen.

15. Rethink traditions

Many of us do things at Christmas simply because that's how we've always done them.

Rethink which traditions are important to you – and leave the rest behind. You may not need to spend money on things like Christmas crackers or Christmas pudding.

16. Freeze reduced food bargains

There is often a glut of discounted items around the holidays, as many stores close on Christmas and Boxing Day, meaning they have to throw away items that have passed their sell-by date.

If you head to the smaller section of your supermarket just before closing or after the Christmas holidays, you may find bargains that you can freeze for a New Year's party.

17. Make homemade decorations

Sprigs of holly and pine cones discovered on a winter walk can make great free, elegant decorations.

You can also paint the pine cones with glitter to add to the festive feeling.

Homemade paper chains and cut-out snowflakes are great decorations to compete with store-bought ones. Ask your children or grandchildren to help with a free, fun activity.

18. Find an outfit that's new to you

Gone are the days of having to wander through thrift stores hoping to find an outfit you like – in good condition and in your size.

There are a number of apps and websites for second-hand clothing where you can search by size, condition, color and style. Try Depop, Vinted or Thriftify.

19. Rent your party clothes

If you want a special outfit for a Christmas party, try renting instead of buying. You'll enjoy the thrill of wearing something new without the price tag.

Hurr Collective, My Garderobe HQ and By Rotation are three rental websites. Retailers offering rental services include John Lewis, LK Bennett and Jigsaw.

20. 'Tis the season to share a ride

If you plan to travel during the Christmas season, you can save money by sharing a car or taking a ride.

Liftshare websites that match passengers with drivers taking the same route include Liftshare and BlablaCar.

21. Invest now for next year's enjoyment

Use the Boxing Day sale to buy decorations and cards for next year.

Make sure you have a place to store them – and remember you'll have them when Christmas rolls around again.

l.evans@dailymail.co.uk