Carla Gray seeks out the bargains

Normally it's the highly-organised among us who get to feel smug at this time of year, but if you've left it to the last minute it could be time to get your revenge. There are many bargains to be found as Princes Street shops battle for custom.

Starting with children, the Disney shop is offering stationery gift sets for 10, while Bhs has 20 off big cuddly bears and dogs, now 10. H&M has a range of stylish children's clothes at bargain basement prices - 5 dresses, 7 trousers, woollen jackets for 12.49 and puffer jackets for 7.49. With promises of many long, cold winter months to follow, the kids will get plenty of wear out of them yet.

Gifts for Topshop fans can be picked up cheaply if you shop carefully - it's got 30 per cent off seasonal offers, while Waterstone's is advertising 50 per cent off hundreds of books, which works well as a gift idea for any age.

Elderly relatives will appreciate a Bhs foot spa (20) and with half off the 40 price, so will you. Stuck for an inexpensive idea? Bhs has white chocolate chip cookies in tasteful purple tins for 4.80 or a trio of chip and dip serving dishes for 9.60.

For men, H&M has 50 per cent off jackets and chunky knits, with some cardigans priced between 7 and 9.99. Clarks had 20 off men's business shoes - down to 39.99 - while the Carphone Warehouse is offering the Samsung Tocco Lite phone at half price, now 44.95. Jenners has some boxed Van Heusen shirts on offer for 10, 40 per cent off Linea polo shirts, and 20 per cent off Paul Smith socks and Polo Ralph Lauren underwear.

There are plenty of discount gift ideas for women. Phones 4 U has 20 off a Blackberry curve 8520 in pink - now 129.95. H&M has party frocks for 7, winter knits for 10 and heaps of 5 bras. Jenners has half off a selection of beauty gift sets, while BHS has 30 per cent off woollen wraps and half price winter coats.

Whoever you're doing your last-minute shopping for, the number of Christmas bargains on offer means you'll be spoiled without breaking the bank.