'I'm a money expert - do this to uncover £100 free cash in your home this Christmas'

British households are expected to spend an average of £650 on gifts, food and parties during this festive season, leaving many concerned about January's bills.

However, a thorough search of your home could reveal valuable forgotten items and currencies that could help offset these costs.

The hidden cash can be found through a combination of checking drawers for forgotten foreign currency and decluttering unwanted items that could be sold.

Experts say that with just a little effort searching through homes, many could discover more than £100 worth of items they no longer use or need.

Research has shown a staggering £2.7billion worth of unused foreign currency is sitting dormant across UK homes, averaging £67 per adult.

Mario Van Poppel, founder of Leftover Currency, explained that even outdated currencies can be valuable.

He said: "The good news is even the out-of-date currencies that are no longer legal tender can be easily exchanged and boost your bank account.

"Something we hear all the time is that pre-euro currencies are worthless, but that's simply not the case - even if the central bank of the country in question has stopped exchanging them."

Van Poppel explained that this applies to withdrawn banknotes from outside the eurozone, making it worthwhile to search for any forgotten foreign money.

Beyond foreign currency, decluttering experts suggest searching through other household items for potential value.

Sian Pelleschi, president of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO), emphasises that valuable items vary between households.

She said: "It depends on what people have in their houses. For some, it's toys - especially if they have children - while for others it's clothes or maybe figurines. It really can be all sorts.

"It doesn't have to be large items, it can be lots of little things."

Lego sets are particularly valuable in the second-hand market, even when pieces are mixed up.

Pelleschi added: "Lego is great - it always sells. People might be after a certain piece, but very often they are prepared to buy a job lot and sift through it."

For those looking to sell unwanted clothes, several platforms offer opportunities to earn extra money, including Vinted, Olio, and Facebook Marketplace.

Pelleschi recommends making decluttering a regular habit throughout the year.

She said: "Whenever you bring things into the house, think about what you could let go of. Start out by doing this once or twice a month and see how it goes."

This approach could help households maintain a steady stream of extra income beyond the festive season.