It can be hard to stock up the Christmas snack cupboard without being tempted to go in and raid it.

So as a result, many Brits leave it until the last minute and end up spending a all in one go. But one mum has recommended a particular method to ensure your cupboard is fully stocked – and she starts doing it really early in the year.

Meg, who posts on as @megleab, says she does it "every year" and everyone always refers to her as a "genius" when she tells them about it, so now she's encouraging others to follow suit.

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While she started in September, there's nothing stopping you from doing it either next year or from now to make sure that everything you need is sitting in your cupboard, ready to be devoured over December 25 and the following days.

She said it's an easy way to "budget" and make sure you also have enough money for the festive season, as obviously it can be a very expensive time.

She said: "From the first of September until Day, on every single weekly shop, I buy one small long-life Christmas item like this", as she held up some Cadbury's Heroes.

"It basically means that when I get to Christmas, I have all of my long-life snacks or condiments and stuff like that, already bought so it eases the financial difficulties around Christmas," she explained.

Meg explained when it's only a "couple of pounds" a week, you don't notice it as much either, compared to if you purchase everything in one go - which becomes a lot more noticeable when you also have presents for the whole family to factor in alongside it.

She also said it stops you from "spending £100 on random snacks" because you can plan what you want, and what your family will actually be able to make the most out of. In the comments, Meg admitted it's "hard" to not eat everything before Christmas, but joked it's a great way to keep "self-discipline".

Someone said: "My family cannot cope when there's chocolate in the house. We have no self-control," admitting everything would get consumed before the big day.

Another mum gave one of her Christmas top tips, penning: "I save my rewards points into the Christmas saving pot. Can’t be used until a certain time. Helps with Christmas food shops, even gifts or pyjamas." Meg replied: "That’s handy!! I try to keep my Nectar Points for my fresh food shop."

Someone else wrote similar: "I save all my Clubcard points and Nectar Points through the year and use that. Last year with the Nectar Double Up I had just over £100 in points."