A DEBT charity has released its own top tips for staying in the black over the festive season.

Alton’s Harvest Church, which runs a debt counselling service in conjunction with national charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), has launched a list of tried-and-tested ways to avoid festive financial meltdown.

Mark Rumsby, Alton debt centre manager, said: “All the adverts sell us the line that the best kind of Christmas is one that can be bought, which just isn’t true. The best Christmases are about making priceless memories, which is why we created the list.”

He added that for the last few years the Alton CAP debt centre has seen a spike in the numbers of people coming to them in the months after Christmas.

Mr Rumsby said: “The reason for this is either because some people realise they have spent more than they can afford or they have reached a crisis point in their finances. Various things can trigger this, but most commonly it’s job loss, an unexpected illness or relationship breakdown.

“Now is the right time for families to talk to each other about creating a sensible game plan for a merry Christmas and a happy new year – for everyone.”

The top tips have come from both the experience of those within the charity as well as CAP’s own clients who know what it is like to stick to a tight budget as they clear their debts.

The tips are:

* Agree on a game plan to stop all of your overspending: Do a ‘secret Santa’ and agree on a set amount for each present. Have a ‘just for the children’ or a ‘from charity shops only’ rule;

* If children have their heart set on something out of your price range, club together with relatives;

* Short of a new Christmas outfit? Get together with mates for a swapping party and you’ll all go home with something new, without the cost;

* If you’re doing the meal, ask guests to each contribute something – drinks, pudding, cheese, cake, or a turkey! If you’re spending time cooking a Christmas feast, you are already giving a lot;

* Aim to only buy the food that you will actually eat and decide what you will do with leftovers, for example potato cakes from cooked potatoes, make stock from Turkey carcass, soup from uneaten vegetables, freeze unused gravy for another time;

* Homemade goodies always go down well – cupcakes, chocolate truffles, shortbread, jam – all are cheap to make and, wrapped with cellophane and ribbon, make great presents;

* Your time and thoughtfulness are every bit as valuable as your money. Instead of presents, offer vouchers for gardening, washing the car, a few hours cleaning, ironing, or making someone’s favourite cake or snack;

* So many people live alone – a cheery visit from you is worth more than any present;

* Spend time focusing on what you can enjoy at no cost and make Christmas really special: watching your children in the school nativity, watching the lights get switched on, enjoying Christmas carols in church, dressing the tree, playing family games;

* Never take out credit or be tempted by a Christmas loan – you don’t know what the New Year will bring. Your income may change and it could affect your whole family’s security. No Christmas is worth that.

If you have problem debts, give yourself the gift of peace of mind by calling 0800 328 0006 or visit capdebthelp.org.