Christmas Money Saving Tips
Pressure to please loved ones and to give children the perfect Christmas tops the list of reasons people overspend during the festive season.
It might help to remember that many people will be struggling this Christmas. If you’re spending too much on presents for loved ones, they might feel the pressure to spend the same amount on you, even if they can’t afford to. When you’ve worked out how much you can afford to spend on presents, talk to the people you plan to give gifts to about how much you plan to spend.
Pre-Christmas Preparations:
- You could email Christmas cards to save on postage. There are lots of free websites that let you create your own cards, with family photos and videos.
- A pre-Christmas clear out with the family will help you get in order for the festive season but could also put some money back in your pocket. Once you’ve put aside anything you no longer want, make some extra cash by selling it online or at a local sale. If you time it right, you’ll find plenty of people looking for second-hand gifts
- For big families, friendship groups or workplaces, suggest a Secret Santa so you’re only buying one gift instead of buying gifts for everyone.
- Can you make things for friends and family this year? If you’re someone who enjoys crafts, or if you have children who love making things, a thoughtful handmade gift can be treasured even more than something shop-bought.
- Explore second hand shops. There are plenty of gifts that don’t need to be brand new to be special. Have a search of your local charity shops, especially for old books and children’s games.
- Set a budget and work out in advance how many gifts you need to buy, so you know what it’s likely to cost. That way you can plan your budget and avoid any nasty surprises.
Ways to keep down the cost of Christmas food
- If you find yourself always being the one to host meals and get-togethers at Christmas, encourage others to get involved. Can someone else host this year, or contribute to the cost of food?
share, where each person brings something, then no one nee huge amount of money.
- Before you go shopping for Christmas food, write out your shopping list, and check what you’ve already got in the house.
- If you’re trying to limit the amount you spend on energy for cooking, have a look for energy saving recipes from BBC Food for dishes that can be prepared in a slow cooker, air fryer or pressure cooker.
- Think about what your favourite foods for Christmas are, and which things you only buy because it’s traditional. If you don’t like roast turkey, don’t feel like you must buy it! There are plenty of cheaper options for Christmas dinner.
- When you’re at the supermarket (or browsing the website for your online order), watch out for ‘special offers’ that aren’t as good as they look. It’s nice to buy a few treats at Christmas, of course, but make sure they don’t lure you into going over budget or buying things you won’t want to.
- And remember, never go shopping on an empty stomach! It makes it much harder to avoid the temptation to buy lots of extra tasty snacks that you don’t need.
Reduce your spending on days out and experiences
If expensive days out and event tickets are beyond your budget, don’t worry. There are low-cost options for the whole family.
- Find out what free events are happening near you. See if there are local Christmas light switch ons or events at your local library.
- If the cost of heating the house is what’s motivating you to head outside, have a look for your nearest Warm Hub for anyone in need of a warm space, a cup of tea and a friendly chat this winter.
- Go for a walk with friends and family. Put on your warmest coat and hat, and head for the nearest park.
- You could go to your local church’s Christmas service. Many churches will have special services at this time of year with carol-singing and nativity stories, noisy family-friendly events or a candlelit evening service.
Salvation Army Suggested Gift List for Children and Young People:
- 0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes, puzzles
- 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, DVDs and CDs (music and nursery rhymes), colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
- 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords
- 9-12: games and toys, stationery, DVDs, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats
- 13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers
Preparing for next year:
- Picking up Christmas essentials like crackers or decorations in the sales can mean big savings, sometimes around 50%.
- If you know what gifts you need to buy, it can help to pick up an item a month to help spread the cost and save you the hassle of shopping when everyone else is.
Saving for next Christmas:
- It’s difficult to pay for Christmas out of December’s pay packet alone, so it makes sense to save up as much as you can beforehand. The earlier you start saving, the less you need to put aside each month. Even a small amount over a few months can make a big difference.
- Committing to saving a regular sum each month or week is more effective than simply saying you’ll save whatever you have left over, which might be nothing.
- Try to be realistic – it’s better to commit to a manageable amount than to aim too high and give up.
- Not sure how much you can afford to save? Start small – put your spare £1 or £2 coins into a jar each week. If that works, try setting aside a bit more on a regular basis.
https://capuk.org/news-and-blog/how-to-save-on-the-cost-of-christmas