I’ve been issued a challenge.

Can I do Christmas for one of my girls on a budget of £75?

According to research by price comparison site Idealo, the average child’s Christmas goodies came to £168 in 2010 compared to £75 in 1995, so we’ve more than doubled our spend in the past 15 years.

To be honest I had my doubts, but with the added opportunity of trying Idealo.co.uk to find the best prices possible, and as it wasn’t my money (bad Jo), I decided to go for it.

So Miss M can expect…

1 Monster High Ghoulia Yelps doll with pet owl Play.com 14.99

2 Barbie Princess Charm School Delancy Doll Amazon £13.00

3 Barbie Thumbelina DVD Amazon New £3.99

4 Super Mario 64 DS game Trade Your Games £19.00

5 Guess Who Extra Play.com £14.99

6 Rainbow Magic book – Honor the Happy Days Fairy Amazon £2.40

7 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever Amazon £6.49

To be honest I found them all on idealo, even though they didn’t insist that’s what I should use, and I was really impressed.  They’ve all arrived and I have to say it looks like a fabulous haul.

As you can see Miss M is VERY into Barbie and Monster High dolls, but I also managed to get a DS game, an electronic board game, a DVD and a couple of books!!  I reckon that’s pretty good.

I chose items with free or low postage to help with my save, and it made me try companies I might not have otherwise known about.

I’d be really interested as to how idealo might work out for an older child as they invariably want more pricey items such as ipods, phones, jewellery etc, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the other idealo bloggers bought for their sprogladites, especially lovely notsupermum, but I reckon I’ve saved about £50 by shopping online.  Result!

PS. I have already used idealo to source other stuff, and spread the word to my family and friends – that’s how good I think it is.  So if like so many of us, you are shopping on a budget this year, try idealo.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

P.P. S Thanks for the £75 worth of swag Idealo, it will be very much appreciated.