Christmas might be a time of peace and good will – but it can be hard to get into the swing of things if you’re constantly concerned about your finances. Follow these top tips for saving cash over the festive season, and you’ll be feeling that Yuletide glow before you know it.

1. Shop online: Escape the Christmas crowds and save money at the same time by doing your present shopping over the internet. There are plenty of bargains available online, and price comparison sites will help you track down the best deals. Make your money go further by price checking gifts at different stores and taking advantage of discount codes. Remember to factor postage and packaging into the overall cost of products purchased over the net.

2. Plan your spending: Most of us start our Christmas shopping with only a vague idea of what we’re looking for, then end up spending much more than we planned. Counteract this tendency by making a present list and sticking to it. Keep the list with you as a reminder when shopping online or on the high street, ticking items off as you purchase them and resisting the temptation to get spontaneous.

3. Get creative: ‘It’s the thought that counts’ might be an old cliché, but when it comes to Christmas gifts it really does ring true. Most people would prefer a lovingly tended garden plant or a freshly baked cake to a box full of dusty toiletries – and it’s much more fun to make cards than simply to buy them from the shop. If you have kids then get them involved with card and present making too.

4. Spread the cost: Christmas doesn’t have to be a wallet-draining, one off spend – open a ‘festive’ account and you can spread the cost of Yuletide over a whole year. Just £40 deposited every month will add up to nearly £500 by the time that December comes around, leaving you plenty of cash to spend and no guilty conscience to salve.

5. Get some help: Of course, if money has been tight over the year then regular saving might not have been an option. Instead of swearing off the festive season altogether, why not consider taking out a loan? Personal loans can be easily negotiated at a low rate of interest with reputable financial institutions such as Santander (see their website for more on their range of loans) and paid back at manageable intervals – so you can enjoy your family Christmas without worrying about money.