Santa's reindeer are uncoupling themselves and settling down for a rest, as financial advisors awaken to warn consumers that the safest bet is a reign and harness around your spending.

According to predictions, two thirds of adults in the UK will dust off their elbows and prepare to face the sales as the high street re-opens its doors following Christmas.

And the survey by Halifax Card Services has found that impulse purchases are the reason bargain hunters end up spending more than they bargained for. This makes sales the obvious watchpoint for those looking to avoid an unexpected bill at the end of the month.

Halifax estimates that 38 per cent of New Year sale shoppers normally spend at least £50 each, with men far worse than women. Some 21 per cent of male sale shoppers spend £100 or more in the post-Christmas sales, compared to just 14 per cent of women.

There is also a significant variation between regions, the survey found, with the average spend in Northern Ireland totalling a staggering £140.

And additional credit must surely provide further temptation for the 78 per cent of sale shoppers who neither make a list nor have specific items in mind before heading to the madness of the shops.

Not only do we spend without planning, but most of us do not even think about how much we'd like to be forking out, with 78 per cent having no budget in mind before they flash their cards in the seasonal sales. Even those well meaning souls who set themselves a budget often find temptation hard to resist, as only half (48 per cent) always stick to it.

"After spending in the run up to Christmas, it can make a welcome change to buy something for ourselves in the January sales," says Peter Jackson, head of products at Halifax.

"But, we often buy in haste because an item has been reduced, or as a result of the pressure to find a bargain."


He adds a note of caution about changes to store policy on exchanges and refunds during the sale period: "Although your rights as a consumer shouldn't change just because an item is in the sale, it makes sense to ensure you know exactly where you stand before you buy."

Another recent survey points to the possibility that the bank would be a better place for your pennies than the sales: according to Alliance & Leicester, nearly one in three Brits failed to save a penny during 2006 and one fifth (19 per cent) admitted to not saving as much as they had planned during the past 12 months.

"Despite ambitious plans for the year ahead, unless people commit to saving a set amount on a monthly basis it is highly unlikely that they will get round to saving any money at all," said Helen Palmer, head of current accounts at Alliance & Leicester.