As the cost of Christmas has risen hugely this year, cutting down on buying presents might be an easy way to save money.

On The Hard Shoulder, social media content creator Holly Carpenter said Roy Keane had a point when he said last year that only children should be receiving Christmas presents.

“I do kind of agree with him in a way – but it depends,” she said.

“I think we should normalise just asking each other what we want – surprises aren’t always great.”

Ms Carpenter said that instead of buying more unnecessary presents, we should try to give things away at Christmas.

"On a sustainable point of view, there’s so much waste at this time of year,” she said.

“So one of the things I like to do as well is to try and pick five things around the house – whether it’s a jumper or kids toys or a bike or whatever – that you actually don’t use anymore and give it to charity.

“There’s so many people now doing their Christmas shopping in charity shops and people who are on a budget and they’re trying to find a good present – so, that would be something that I think is good.”

Buy Irish

Playwright Amanda Brunker said that she would be happy to move away from having to buy and receive loads of presents – but encouraged people to buy Irish if they are getting gifts.

“The one thing I will urge people – sorry for being kind of sensible person – but try and buy something Irish or something from a business that is near you, and you want to see it keep going,” she said.

“Like, don’t be buying off the big kind of Amazons and stuff like that.”

Ms Brunker said she is glad her children are grown up and that Santa Claus no longer needs to visit her house.

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