Christmas on a budget

Christmas is delightful, magical… and very expensive. Every year you try to to be more frugal but somehow still end up spending a fortune. However, there are some nifty ways that you can easily have an amazing Christmas on a budget. Read on to discover how!

Decide on your budget

Before you do any Christmas shopping, outline how much money you’re willing to spend. Otherwise you’ll find yourself a few weeks down the line wondering how on earth you managed to blow so much money without realising it.

Start saving early

It’s never too early to save, especially when it comes to Christmas. You could even start putting money aside as early as January. If you save throughout the year, then by the time Christmas comes around, having enough money for festive shopping will be the least of your worries.

Avoid impulse buys

It’s ever so easy for random things to catch your eye when you’re doing your Christmas shopping. You often end up buying 10 times more presents than you were planning to. Before you go shopping, plan your gift list and stick to it.

Ignore deals

Deals are there to grab your attention, but try to resist the temptation. Ask yourself, ‘Do I really need to buy three pairs of gloves for two when I only want one?’ When  it comes to deals, you usually end up spending more money on things you don’t need, not saving it.

Stock up your kitchen

Grocery shopping during the Christmas period can be pretty pricey, especially when you’re preparing full family meals. Cut down the cost by stocking up on non-perishable goods before the festive frenzy kicks in. Your supermarket shop will become far less stressful!

Cook as a family

Each year, it seems as though one person ends up doing the majority of the cooking, which is time consuming and expensive. Share the responsibility with your family by having everyone bring a dish on Christmas day.

Make new traditions

You could argue that Christmas is all about tradition, but enjoying the day is a far greater priority. How about making new traditions, like replacing pricey turkey for pocket-friendly chicken?  All that truly matters is that you have good food and even better company.

Re-use your decorations

Christmas food, Christmas presents… you don’t need the aggravation of having to buy Christmas decorations, too. When Christmas is over, save all of your decorations for next year. You could even buy a plastic Christmas tree. It’ll last for years.

Give homemade presents

You don’t have to splash the cash to make your loved ones happy this Christmas. Handmade gifts are charming and show how much thought you put into your gifts. Decorated mugs and knitted scarves can go a long way. (Note to self: learn how to knit.)

Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a fun workplace tradition, but how about you do it with friends and family, too? Having just one person to buy for will save a lot of time and money. Plus, you can put extra thought into your gift.

Sharing is caring

On the other hand, you could buy one present for a number of people to share. Why not consider gifting a coffee machine for all to use in the kitchen or making a photo collage to hang up in the living room?

Jump on the post-Christmas sales

Christmas shopping can be downright chaotic. Avoid the crowds and find some brilliant bargains during the Christmas sales. The idea of shopping for Christmas in January may sound strange, but it’ll definitely pay off in the long run.