It's not going to be an easy Christmas for most of us, with money tight and gifts to buy for all and sundry. We set Mrs Credit Crunch - the Mail's resident money-saving wife and mum - the challenge of buying 20 perfect presents for all her family and friends for under £100. Here's how she got on ... ...read
Little Budget Dresses under £20
Our resident money-saving expert, Mrs Credit Crunch, brings you her favourite LBDs - that's Little Budget Dresses - for less than £20
femail big picture gallery
Our resident money-saving expert, Mrs Credit Crunch, brings you her favourite LBDs - that's Little Budget Dresses - for less than £20
IN FEMAIL TODAY...
- Beauty Confidential This Christmas there are more celebrity scents than ever. But are they any good?
- Liz Jones From peggings to leggings (and even treggings)which trendy trouser suits you?
- Real life The killers who stole our Christmas: Mothers of knife crime victims tell their heartbreaking stories
- Relationships An increasing number of brides are suffering from Post-Nuptial Depression
- Bad Santa How one hapless father went to Santa School - and nearly got the sack
- Ulrika Jonsson Oh, the sheer nightmare of nativity plays
- Fashion Store Browse and buy handbags, shoes and dresses galore at the Femail Fashion Store
- Little Budget Dresses for under £20
- All your Christmas gifts for under £100 - impossible? Not if you follow our essential guide
- From peggings to leggings (and even treggings)which trendy trouser suits you?
- Beauty Confidential: Celebrity scents for Christmas
- Britain's most UNLIKELY male sex symbols
- The killers who stole our Christmas: Mothers of knife crime victims tell their heartbreaking stories
- Binge eating? Don't pop a pill, face your demons - it's the only chance for long-term weight loss
- ULRIKA JONSSON: Oh, the sheer nightmare of nativity plays
- Why Baby P never stood a chance - by the social worker blamed for Victoria Climbie's death
- Help! I've got Post-Nuptial Depression
- She's a 'plumpish semi-dwarf' who loves curry and chips: So what happened when JACI STEPHEN went to live with the Hollywood stars in La-la Land?
- MORE HEADLINES
- The tragic story of how a white girl being born black tore a family apart
- The £3.20 'invisible' knickers that are flying off the shelves and make the perfect partner to a slinky party frock
- All your Christmas gifts for under £100 - impossible? Not if you follow our essential guide
- Britain's most UNLIKELY male sex symbols
- Why Baby P never stood a chance - by the social worker blamed for Victoria Climbie's death
- Wedding blues: Help! I've got Post-Nuptial Depression
- Little Budget Dresses for under £20
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
FIVE OF THE BEST... Jewel cuffs
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Green malachite cuff with diamanté studs, £229, Fenwick, 020 7629 9161
Pewter studded, £30, Linea at House of Fraser, 020 7003 4000
Gold bracelet with pink and clear diamanté, £98, Butler & Wilson, 020 7352 3045
Silver cuff with blue and diamanté flower, £15, John Lewis, 0845 604 9049
Gold cuff with large red stones, £8, New Look Limited Edition, 0500 454094
REAL ISSUES
FASHION & BEAUTY
IN GOOD HEALTH TODAY
- CAMPAIGN: Alzheimer's has made my lovely husband, rugby legend John Williams, so violent I can't look after him. Why won't the NHS help?
- SURGERY: For 50 years Cheryl's life was wrecked by epilepsy - then she was cured by cutting a slice from her brain
- HEALTH TOURISM: I went abroad for a hip op - now every step is agony
- JANE CLARKE: The hidden dangers in a tempting festive tipple
- OPTIONS: Is an implant REALLY the best choice after losing a breast? Our expert describes the other options
- SAFE SEX: The DIY test that checks if your vasectomy has worked
Little Budget Dresses ... Under £20
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SHOES & BAGS
Stylish accessories to liven up any look
FASHION BLOG
Our Fashion ed tells how to style a celeb
Celebrity Style Watch... Peaches Geldof & Jen Brill
We show you how to recreate Peaches Geldof and Jen Brill's style for a fraction of the cost. Plus, click and buy their style at the Fashion StoreRock chicks: Peaches Geldof and Jen Brill
HAVE YOUR SAY...
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO SURVIVE THIS CREDIT CRUNCH CHRISTMAS?
I buy most things online, I always look to see if I can see an online voucher for money off or free delivery, and I buy presents when special offers are on such as Boots 3 for 2 etc. or when the shops have their money off days.
Lynsey91
I buy most things online, I always look to see if I can see an online voucher for money off or free delivery, and I buy presents when special offers are on such as Boots 3 for 2 etc. or when the shops have their money off days.
Lynsey91
8 OF THE BEST... BEAUTY COFFRETS
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Indulgent Rose, £48, Neal's Yard, 0845 262 3145
Clinique Perfectly Happy, £37.19, Boots, nationwide
Stella McCartney, £56.70, Debenhams, 08445 616 161
Jasamber, £40, Spacenk.co.uk
En Provence, £29, L'Occitane, 020 7907 0301
Wild Indigo, £47.95, Molton Brown, 0808 178 1188
Pine and Eucalyptus Ultimate Collection, £280, Jo Malone, 0870 034 2411
Ginger Days, £39.15, Origins, 0870 034 2888
MUST READ
ULRIKA JONSSON: Oh, the sheer nightmare of nativity plays
TEN OF THE BEST... Christmas lights
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Coloured glass, £34.50, www.oliverbonas.com
Animals, £12, Paperchase, 020 7467 6200
Merry Christmas lights, £6, www.sainsburys.co.uk
Wire balls, £29, www.pier.co.uk
Blue stars, £18, www.conranshop.co.uk
Santas, £15, www.heals.co.uk
Santa faces, £10, www.tesco.com
Pearl and crystal, £24.99, www.lakeland.co.uk
Wood snowflakes, £18, www.tesco.co.uk
Pink crystals, £15, www.next.co.uk
FOOD, RECIPES & COOKING
COOK-AND-FREEZE TREATS
- Mini festive toads-in-the-hole These miniature toads-in-the-hole will go down a treat with grateful guests
- Parmesan stars Serving these delicious stars is far more impressive than handing out bowls of bought crisps
- Smoked salmon blinis with beetroot and dill cream These will add colour to any party plate
- Sugar and spice nuts Scatter a few bowls of these around the room and everyone will soon be tucking in
MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
- Gingerbread house Straight from a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, this tastes as good as it looks
- Orange, cranberry and walnut biscuits These biscuits are incredibly quick to put together
- Peppermint creams dipped in chocolate An edible treat to give to friends and family
- Christmas rowan berry jelly A lovely gift for hosts, the jelly will keep for about a year
THIS WEEK'S RECIPES
- Smoked salmon, dill & potato tart The perfect recipe for a buffet or if the family need to eat at different times
- Eton mess How to make one of Britain's favourite puds - despite the cold weather
- Tilapia in Thai sauce A traditional Thai fish recipe that's cooked in one pan
- Mulled wine cocktail This is the perfect Christmas party drink because it can be made well ahead