Where do you bag the best Christmas bargains?

Tracey O'Sullivan managed to bag a bargain in the run-up to Christmas. Have you any money-saving tips to share?

Okay hands up – confession first: I was browsing the aisles of Tesco on the Wrekin Retail Park in search of the copycat version of Kate Middleton's engagement dress (for work, you understand), but I'm sorry, seeing at least three passing trolleys with up to four bottles of Tattinger Brut Reserve inside at 9.30am on a Wednesday morning can only mean one thing, darling – sale, discount and possibly even half-price.

So and I am taking a risk admitting this here. I abandoned Florence & Fred for a moment to hotfoot it to the bubbles aisle in heels (yes I did and can run in heels, especially for the right champagne at the right prize). No prizes for guessing, it was indeed on offer – down from £33.99 to £16.99.

No wonder the great and good of Telford were stocking up. The only problem - the cupboard was bare, the shelf was empty and a request to a nearby sales assistant confirmed my worst fears – stocks were sold out, but more were due to come in later this week. So get down there, folks.

So it begs the question – did all those champers hoggers know there was a deal to be had or did they just stumble across it on the way to the WI coffee morning?

So as a Christmas shopper on a mission to enjoy the festive season in the style I've become accustomed to but with a few bargains thrown in, I am going to seek out the best buys in the county and, like a good little elf, pass them on.

I will be bringing you news of my hunt for Christmas Cracker deals from High Street to Independent Alley, and I'm hoping all of you might reciprocate. Where are the best deals? When are the best times to nab them or do you have a deal that can topple the High Street when it comes to giving out the best gift? Or have you spotted those supplies of the wish-list toys that could spark the biggest stampede this year. Comment away!

I want to see exactly how much I can save in the countdown to Christmas 2010 by tracking down the money-off must-haves. And I promise to bring you tips and the results of all my shopping triumphs or disasters by the caseload - I only wish it was a caseload of Tattinger.

Speaking of which, the Tattinger may have been sold out but I picked up a couple of bottles of Mumm Champagne, down from £29.99 to £15.99.

And for children, the Wrekin Retail Park has stocks of the Buzz Lightyear Action Figure, which has been tipped to sell out this year. It's down from £49.97 to £39.97.

• Total Christmas Cracker savings so far - £28