Christmas is a costly time of year, so it is no wonder many people wish they could simply ignore it.

Christmas is a costly time of year, so it is no wonder many people wish they could simply ignore it. But it is possible to reduce the expense without cancelling the fun.

A third of Scots dread the festive season because they can??t afford it, and one in eight are still paying off credit card and loan balances from last year??s spending spree, according to the Debt Advisory Centre.

Ian Williams, a spokesman for the financial advice provider, said: ??Christmas is an expensive time of year for most people in Scotland, what with the presents they buy for friends and family, preparations for the Christmas dinner and any travel they need to do.

??And then they may find themselves forking out more for Hogmanay and again on Burns Night shortly after. All of this can make the season extremely stressful.??

One way to cut the cost is to look carefully at your gift list. Review who is on it and ask yourself if there is anyone you could remove. Consider making a cards-only pact with some of the adults.

For groups of friends, forming a secret Santa circle with a maximum price of £5 or £10 can lead to considerable savings, as well as encouraging some imaginative purchasing. Each person can be assigned a single person to buy for, or gifts can be drawn at random from a sack.

For close family, including children, agree a spending cap and stick to it. Avoid impulse buys, as they are a sure-fire way to blow the budget. If you are short of ideas, browse online before leaving for the shops.

To find the cheapest cyber or High Street deals on the things you want, use price a comparison service such as Megashopbot.com, PriceRunner.co.uk or Kelkoo.co.uk. Also sign up for Moneysavingexpert.com??s Christmas deals predictor emails, which highlight who is likely to be cutting prices when.

If you are buying online, instead of going direct to your chosen provider??s website, click through to it via a cashback site. They make money by funnelling customers to retailers and then share a portion of it with the former.

TopCashback.co.uk, which has links to more than 4,000 merchants ranging from High Street giants to niche sellers, boasts that users get back £3.5 million every month, equivalent to an average discount of 7 per cent on their purchases.

Before paying for online shopping, always check for discount codes using sites such as Vouchercodes.co.uk. These can be applied at the checkout to reduce prices significantly or get free delivery.

If you need to post presents, rather than go straight to the Post Office, visit a website such as a Interparcel.com or Collectplus.co.uk to find the cheapest carrier, where you just pay and print out the delivery labels. This can also save you time queueing, as firms generally collect from local shop outlets.

Cut your Christmas card list to a minimum and buy bulk boxes, instead of more expensive individual packs, or set up a production line at home. If you don??t feel up to card manufacturing yourself, arm children or grandchildren with coloured paper, felt pens, glitter and glue.

Don??t waste money on first class stamps. Provided you post them by December 18, cards sent second class should reach UK destinations by Christmas Eve.

To save on festive food and drink, visit comparison service Mysupermarket.co.uk before heading out the front door, to see who is offering the lowest prices on the items you want the most.

You can also use phone apps such as Shopitize to scan receipts for cashback and other offers tailored to your spending patterns.

Simply switching from one of the leading supermarket chains to competitors such as Aldi and Lidl can bring substantial savings without compromising on quality.

Changing what you buy ?? for example, swapping turkey for chicken or other meats ?? can also make a huge difference to your grocery bill at this time of year.

If you don??t have a strong preference for what you eat on Christmas day, shop as late as you dare the night before to snap up heavily discounted birds or joints with short sell-by dates.

Think too about how you pay for gifts, food and drink. If can??t cover the cost from your current account or savings, don??t overdraw without permission ?? the charges can be higher than the cost of the items themselves.

Many retailers encourage customers to take out a store card by offering 10 per cent off initial purchases. Don??t sign up unless you are absolutely certain to clear the balance before any interest becomes due, as you could end up paying far more than you save.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at Moneysupermarket.com, said: ??Those using plastic to cover the cost of Christmas could look at using a cashback credit card to earn money on spending, with the rewards accrued now and throughout the year being put towards next Christmas.

??This is a better alternative to high interest store cards. However, to reap the benefits of the rewards on offer, you must be able to pay off your balance in full every month.

??Opting for an interest-free credit card on purchases could be another way to manage your costs, if you??re unable to clear your balance straight away, providing you spend within your means and pay off the balance within the interest-free period.??