Budget
When you’re Christmas shopping, if you don’t budget properly, you’ll easily overspend. It’s no good doing all your shopping and then worrying about your other monthly expenses. First, complete your usual budget for household costs and utilities. Next, figure out how much is left over to spend. Thirdly, calculate out how much of your savings that you feel comfortable spending. Once you’ve got your budget, you can write a list of all the things you need to buy. Make a food list, a drinks list and a list of people to buy presents for. Allocate an approximate figure to each person, so you don’t go overboard.
Remember, for very distant relatives who you don’t see much- don’t feel cheeky for sending only a card! Sometimes no matter how much you budget, it’s still hard to pay for everything you need. In such cases, seeking a loan without a guarantor can be a great back up option to help you out. Such loans can generally be approved quicker as they do not discriminate on terms of bad credit.
Make your own
Making your own gifts can be an excellent money-saving hack to help you out at Christmas time. Bit of a cook? Why not whip up some festive jams, chutneys or cake for your loved ones? All you need is a few decorations, and a budget hamper to give the gifts that extra touch. Perhaps you instead have a few knitting skills up your sleeve? In this case, knitting a cute scarf or hat could be a neat idea. Often, those gifts that are homemade are really well-received due to the thought that’s gone into them.
Secret Santa
If you have a larger family, Secret Santa can be an excellent money-saving idea. Secret Santa allows everyone to buy for only one other person, and you can set the budget as low or as high as you like. There are a few websites which can generate a secret santa gift game for your family via email. Such tools are handy when you don’t all live close enough to draw names out of a hat!
Before Christmas comes along, it can be a great plan to declutter your house. Firstly, you’ll want to make everything look beautiful for those Christmas guests. Secondly, if you have a clear out, you can sell your unwanted items and add the cash to your Christmas budget. From Ebay to Facebook Marketplace or Bonanza; there are plenty of sites just waiting for you to sell your goods!
Group gifts
Group gifts can help your family to save a little at Christmas time. If you have siblings, for example, why not all chip in to buy a gift for your parents? When you and your siblings are all trying to save, all go out for a drink instead? Often, experiences and time spent together feels more meaningful than gifts.
Bring your own
When you’re entertaining guests, they do tend to get through lots of food and drinks! While you’re happy to provide, the costs can really add up. This Christmas, try asking everyone to bring at least one bottle of wine with them? It’s unlikely to offend, and it will really help to spread your money a little further this year. When you are invited to a friends house, return the favour and spread the savings.
Shop early
If you’ve left your shopping until the last minute- this tip might be a little too late! Never mind, there’s always next year. Generally speaking, it’s best to do your Christmas shopping as early as you can. The nearer to Christmas time that it gets, the more expensive items tend to be. If you shop earlier in the year, you can land yourself some great deals. Lastly, don’t be afraid of charity stores while you’re doing your shopping. You can find some beautiful items for half the price plus be donating money to a good cause.
Once all your Christmas shopping is done you’ll be just about ready to sit back with a glass of festive wine by the fire.
*Collaborative post*