I am not a scrooge. I love to spoil people. But I also like a bargain more than I like nice pretty packaging.

My tips for Father Christmas if he's feeling a little frugal this year

• Search Netmums nearly new pages for a local bargain.
• Visit an NCT sale. Be warned get there MEGA early!
• Check local facebook buy, sell swap groups and join in.
• Search eBay for bargains now, the closer we get to Christmas the more last minute desperate high bids will be made!
• Discuss a TOY SWAP with your friends. I bet everyone is looking to get rid of a few things that weren't as big a hit as expected. Think of friends who may want to pass down toys to your younger ones and pay them for them.
• Set BUDGETS. Be upfront. What is wrong with wanting to buy a thoughtful gift but one that doesn't cost the earth making you resentful you felt you had to buy it. With 2 sets of our best friends we have set a £1 limit and I guarantee we will get more thoughtful presents because part of the fun is the challenge of finding a perfect pound present.
• ASK! Especially with younger children, check with their parents and then keep on the look out at local car boots or charity shops. My Mum has a children's hospice shop which exclusively sells second hand toys, clothes, equipment, books and puzzles. My closest friends would be more than happy for their little ones to receive a second hand present and I actively encourage my friends and family to search for something on a second hand website before going to the shops. Last year I packaged up a selection of nearly new gifts for each boy to suit Auntie's and Uncle's budgets.
• Paint the bottom of your coffee table as a road map or grassy farm, instead of buying a play mat. Turn it upside down when it's time to play!
• Think smarter. Little ones love BIG presents. An easel from Ikea costs £16 but is a very impressive present to find at the bottom of your bed!
• Take advantage of OFFERS. Boots toys are 20% off or 3 for 2, Tesco's are running a double up on your ClubCard points scheme and use Nectar points to spend in Argos.
• Stop grown up presents or set a secret Santa limit. How many years have you been given a DVD you didn't want or a bath set of smellies that you recycled to someone else the following year? Wouldn't it be better to set a £5 limit and share ideas and receive something you really wanted?
• If you normally spend £10, find a gift on offer. Don't feel guilty that it actually cost £4.99.
• Recycle and UPCYCLE. My Mum used to make new covers for our dolly's cots, which gave an old toy a new lease of life! For tiny babies who you want to have the magic of opening something, wrap up one of their almost new toys. I am sure they will love the ripping part and will be too small to realise they have been playing with that toy for weeks!

Think of how quickly all the plastic and cardboard boxes are thrown in the bin. By Boxing Day the recycling is over flowing. Would your children really notice if you wrapped up their (nearly) new bike you bought in excellent second hand condition? Or more to the point would they really care if it meant they opened the item at the very top of their wish list?

I read an article the other day on Mindful Mum that infuriated me. A survey of parents on how they afford Christmas and answers that include having to take a loan out to pay for their children's presents. If you budget all through the year then you don't end up with an overwhelming bill in December. Nor do children need £300 worth of gifts to open in under 10 minutes. My children may appear to be spoilt rotten on Christmas morning but I assure you, the gifts will have cost a quarter of what some parents will easily spend this year. They just don't all come in the original packaging!

Don't feel under pressure to spend a fortune on the latest must have. We never had a present like an Xbox or Play Station. Quite simply my parents couldn't afford it. But I have the most magical memories of Christmas morning and not one of them features disappointment.

It's about what you do not what you spend. Follow family traditions or start your own to pass down. We only have our stockings from Father Christmas in the morning and then the rest of the presents under the tree are kept for after the Queen's speech. It spreads the day out and you actually get enjoyment from playing with what you opened first thing, instead of just reaching for the next present to unwrap. And yes, we do stand and sing the National Anthem!

Anyone bagged any bargains yet? Here are some of mine ready to stash for Santa! Everything you see was either 50p or £1!

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mamasmondaymustdo

We have had a busy family week of family parties! A butterfly party for my Sister and then my Cousin's 4 year old boy's magic party, complete with Sir Nit Wit! (A rather colourful children's entertainer who explained all the jokes?!)

We stopped in at my in laws between occasions and had the list discussion. The Christmas list.

Some people hate that debate, that you should buy surprises but with all the toys the boys already have, I would much rather give people ideas, to make sure they don't receive duplicates or that people don't spend hard earned money on something that won't be enjoyed as much as what is top of their wish list!

Top of the boys list is dressing up and small world this year. Big boy would love to start a playmobil collection (I never see any at nearly new sales) and small boy loves little people so the Le Toy Van Hospital would be right up his street! Plus his Uncle and Auntie bought him the matching ambulance for his birthday.

When I asked my husband what he would like from me I couldn't believe my ears. Then I couldn't believe my eyes.

My husband has a bizarre obsession with lightbulbs. We get weekly deliveries from Amazon with some new cost saving lightbulb and parcels get sent back to Amazon on a weekly basis with ones that don't quite create the right light.

We have always saved to really spoil each other at Christmas. Made each other up a stocking and enjoyed the thrill of having a pile of presents to unwrap.

But this left me speechless. A lightbulb, with a name, hue, with the earth shattering price of £180.

Now watch the video.

So what do you think?  A ridiculous waste of money or a very clever invention? Worth £180?

According to my husband it combines his two obsessions Apple products and lightbulbs, as it is being sold exclusively through Apple.

What is on your Christmas list?! Or haven't you got one? Have a peek at mine here.

This weekend my Mum will fly over the Atlantic to visit my brother and his wife. I hadn't realised just how much I wished I was going with her until last night. My brother used the power of the iPhone and Face Time to walk me up and down the aisles of one of the biggest supermarkets in the country!

It wasn't the shopping that I am envious about it's the time larking around with my brother. He just gets me and I miss his sense of humour so much! We have too many in jokes for me to write down and I am counting down the days until they fly back over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Turkey will await them in England! (We are having an early Christmas dinner together!)

So my poor Mum, who thanks to the wonder of BA staff travel has a 3 suitcase allowance and at the moment it's full on the way out with korma curry sauce jars, Cadbury's chocolate and Frazzles for them and I've given her a list of goodies I would love for the way back!

Here's my list in case you were wondering! The Americans really know how to do Halloween! Just the seasonal display area was the size of our average DIY super store!

 Have you ever been shopping over in the States?! What was your favourite store?!