Dreaming of a Thrifty Christmas
Making Christmas the most wonderful time of the year shouldn’t mean feeling the pinch, and we don’t think you need to break the bank to create long-lasting memories with your family. This year hasn’t been easy, but we have gathered handy tips and tricks together to help you make some savvy savings.
Food glorious food
Tasty food is one of the biggest parts of Christmas, with even the mention of turkey and fruity pudding being enough to make your mouth water. Top value, succulent food over the holidays doesn’t have to come at a premium either, so here are some things to keep in mind.
- Make a list of everything you need and keep to it, this way you won’t waste money or food, and everyone still enjoys an after-dinner food coma!
- Freeze things! More food items love the super chilly atmosphere than you’d think, so keep an eye out when things are on offer and pop them away for their festive debut.
- Get the family involved. You can make and bake lots of sweet and savoury treats in your kitchen for the fraction of the price than buying them in-store.
- If you are head chef this year, make sure that everyone in the house has a job, that way things don’t get left out and there are no last-minute rushes.
The early robin catches the bargain
Now, we aren’t saying we wish it could be Christmas every day, but there are some cracking bargains out there you can pick up throughout the year to make the 25th run more smoothly.
- This can start as early as a year before by popping any gift bags, boxes and bows that you receive into storage, that way you’ll save a pretty penny next year. This includes old cards that can be cut into gift tags.
- If you need more of the above, a lot of places sell off their remaining wrapping goods at a fantastic discount just after Christmas or why not switch things up and go for charming easy-to-recycle options like brown paper and string.
- Another savvy way of picking up a bargain is by shopping the sales throughout the year for thoughtful, useful or novel gifts you know will be perfect, at a fraction of the price.
- Your local charity shop is always a great place to shop post-Christmas as you will see a lot of brand new but unwanted pressies looking for a new home.
SHOP GIFTS
Memories that can’t be bought
Don’t forget, there are plenty of things you can do at Christmas that don’t cost a penny but will create memories your family will cherish.
- Forget Easter, how about a bauble hunt? It’s the same principle as an egg hunt but with a festive twist and is great for kids of all ages.
- Create a cosy night in with the family by popping on a festive film and enjoying a warming hot chocolate in the process.
- Go for a nice stroll in the winter air and take in the sights and smells of the season, you might even be lucky and find your neighbourhood has outdoor decorations to enjoy.
- Get crafty! If you have found a box of old Christmas trimmings you thought were destined for the bin, why not try to upcycle them into a wonderful new creation?
Think ahead to get ahead
The best part is, a lot of these tips can be applied even when Santa has retired for the year. So, whether you’re an Excel whizz with a colour-coded to-do list or the whole Christmas thing makes your head spin, these valuable hacks should help make things that little bit easier. Lastly, remember to turn on some Christmas music and get everyone involved in preparing the food, wrapping the presents and decorating the house, even little elves can help.
