While Christmas may be the highlight of the year for many, it’s overwhelming for others. No one wants to spend Christmas stressing about how much it’s going to cost.
To help you feel more in control of your Christmas spending, we’ve put together a list of handy tips and tricks for you to think about below.
Make a budget and stick to it
Setting a budget could be a good place to start. Knowing how much you’re happy to spend will help when it comes to deciding what can fit within your budget.
From Christmas activities with the family to how much you should spend on presents. Setting a budget can ease worries about affording your outgoings.
Free activities can be just as good
Fun doesn't have to be expensive! There are lots of free and low-cost activities that everyone can enjoy. From taking a drive after hours to witness the impressive light displays and snuggling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate and the Polar Express. To venturing down to a Christmas market or dropping in on your local church carol service.
DIY Christmas gifts
Have you thought of making your own gifts? Not only could these be cheaper, they make the gift much more personalised thanks to the effort and care you’ve put into making it.
They can be as simple as homemade candles, soaps and hot chocolate mug sets. Or they can be as complex as beautiful artwork, cross-stitching, and jewellery. You could also pop down to your local charity shop and bag a bargain.
Top hint: Always check your shopping bags when purchasing items. Fashion retailers, like FatFace and Primark, design their paper bags for reuse as wrapping paper. Another way of helping you save those precious pennies and help the planet.
Share the load
On Christmas Day, try to avoid overspending on food and drink. If you’re having guests over for dinner, why not consider sharing the load? You could ask your guests to bring a dish of food to contribute, and a drink of their choice. Make sure you don’t double up on anything to avoid waste.
Think before you spend
Try to avoid buying unnecessary items. Before buying, take a step back. Those oh-so-sparkly (but pricey) decorations at the garden centre may not be essential. Consider reusing and reinventing what you already have, or swap items with friends and family. What’s that saying? One person’s rubbish is someone else's treasure!
Little things to consider:
- Eating out - rethink eating out at work; how about a packed lunch? And ditch the daily latte.
- Heading to a show? Forget about the venue treats and take your own (but make sure you tuck them away in your bag).
- Put money aside - if possible, save some money each month so you have a bit of money put by to spend at Christmas. Always shop around for deals, and saving your loyalty points to use for Christmas can be super useful too.
- Use apps - if you want to book travel, attend a local event, or stay home and order takeout, check for an app that covers your local area. Signing up for it could mean you’ll have access to money-saving offers and discounts.
- Try meal planning - with the kids home from school, it can save you money on food. If you haven't tried it, give it a go. There are lots of resources and guides available online if you’re not sure where to start. Try searching ‘family meal planning UK’.