1. Make Your (Shopping) List and Check it Twice…
If you are anything like us you will always buy copious amounts of chocolate, snacks and alcohol that you never manage to get through. Not to mention the Brussel sprouts that no one eats and the two packs of ‘pigs in blankets’ when you only use one. Think realistically about how much you need for Christmas dinner and beyond and make a truthful list. Stick to it.
If you do happen o leave it to the last minute Amazon is a great place to get last chance bits and pieces. Have a look here, but don't leave it too late!
2. Shop online for free money…
Our second Covid Christmas dictates that most of us will be doing more of our gift buying online this year. Take advantage of the situation and get some cashback through apps such as Quidco.
Look for the store you want, and buy through the app. The app will then do the rest of the work for you. It can take a while to build some real mullah and is something to continue with all year long.
3. Kids only Christmas!
This year has been a struggle for a lot of people and buying gifts for Aunty Pat, Cousin Phil and the Postman may be a bit of a stretch. Suggest to your nearest and dearest that present buying should be for the children only. Give the children a wonderful Christmas but relieve yourself of the financial stress.
4. Walk off those pounds!
If you send card after card each year then you must also buy stamp after stamp each year. Put those walking boots on and get some fresh air whilst delivering to those that live locally. Or if you are feeling particularly brave, cut the Christmas cards altogether – good for the environment as well as your bank balance!
5. Out with the Old in with the New.
If your children are anything like mine then there will be a stash of toys in your house that just sits there gathering dust.
Sell, sell, sell! Pop them on eBay, Facebook, Gumtree and make some money to put towards the new toys…..that will also eventually sit there gathering dust.
6. Play the long game!
So, this one is more for next year as it’s an all year round kind of gig. Allocate a basket, a cupboard, a bag, whatever takes your fancy. When you see a bargain that you think would be suited to your nearest and dearest, snag it and put it in the chosen space ready for the next gift giving opportunity. Not only will you be saving money but spreading the cost will lesson the blow when buying for all around.
7. Do your research.
Basically, shop around. This week a litre of Jack Daniels costs £30 in Sainsburys but £24 in Asda. In Morrisons this week, a 6kg turkey is £16 and in Tesco it is £20. Obviously, you are not going to do a price comparison for every item on your shopping list, but for the more expensive things like alcohol and your main meat, it is worth looking out for the weekly bargains.
8. Decorations Needn’t Cost the Earth
Why spend loads of money on decorations?? There are two options for decorations in our house. Firstly, any decorations the children make are worth more than anything you can buy in the shop. When I was a child, I remember spending many an afternoon making paper chains and cotton wool snowmen. It can be a lovely family activity and a money saver at the same time.
Secondly, telling the children they can pick anything they like from the pound shop is great fun. We came home with an inflatable Santa and an inflatable snowman yesterday! The Pound Shop has a great fun range to add some festive fun to your home.
9. Save Postage by Prime
Did you know that Amazon have a gift-wrapping service on many items? Save money on postage by having Amazon do the work for you. If you have Amazon Prime throughout the year delivery will be free. Spend a couple of pounds on the gift wrap service and save a pound or two on postage by delivering the presents straight to your nearest and dearest.
It’s worth checking this with other companies. If you are going to pay a delivery charge to have it sent to you and then postage charge to forward to the receiver then it may be worth paying a couple of pounds to have it wrapped and sent straight there.
If you have a lovely mother like mine who is happy to wrap the gifts for you and deliver them in person with her own gifts, then even better!
10. Remember what it’s all about…..
I think too often we get wrapped up (excuse the pun) in feeling like we must spend lots of money at Christmas in order to have a good time, but that’s simply not true. If there is anything that 2021 has taught us it is that spending time with your loved ones is precious. No amount of money can buy that. So if you are getting a little overwhelmed by the upcoming cost, then just take a breather and reassess what is important and whether you need to buy that extra item or not.
Merry Christmas!
Comments