How 2 do Christmas on the cheap
Christmas is a season for joy, for love, for chilling out, maxing and relaxing all cool (as the Fresh Prince might say) with family and friends. But it can also be stressful, especially when finances are tight.
We often feel obliged to push our purses to the limit in order to maintain a suitable level of generosity and seasonal indulgence. But it is possible to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank. However you plan to celebrate, here are a few ideas to help you cut back on things you can’t afford without cutting out on any festive fun.
Don’t buy expensive presents
It really is the thought that counts. You could take a step out of the money trap and choose to not buy presents at all. (See Kev Kennedy’s blog to find out more.) Or you could show you care by taking the time to make something special. It could be a box of homemade cookies or brownies, a framed photo, or a notebook filled with memories, quotes, and stories with particular significance. And don’t underestimate the enduring value of the mix tape. Make a playlist of your friend’s favourite songs, or songs you think they will love, burn it to a CD and design the cover yourself.
Look out for supermarket bargains
All that wonderful gastro-indulgence can cost a fair whack, so be wise when shopping for festive food and drink. There are plenty of bargains bouncing around the supermarkets throughout December. Look out for 2-4-1 deals… but be careful only to buy what you will eat and drink before the use by date! Try ‘downshifting’ – switch from branded products to the supermarket’s own. Or try downshifting your supermarket entirely… it’s worth a try to see how much you can save. If you don’t have time to compare prices across stores, there is an online tool to enable you to check from home at www.mysupermarket.co.uk. This also has details of the offers currently available at various stores.
Have fun for free
You don’t need to fork out for pantomime tickets or spend £5 at Santa’s grotto to celebrate Christmas with your family. If you have kids, or even nephews and nieces, create moments they’ll remember for years by joining in and having fun with them. Go retro and make Christmas decorations out of paper – remember cutting out snowflakes and sticking together paper chains? Pass on the skills. There are plenty of craft ideas for kids online if you need some inspiration. If children don’t feature in your celebrations, create entertainment with charades, cards, and all the old school party games. Check your TV guide and make a date with your favourite Christmas movies. Invent new lyrics for Christmas songs and have an alternative Christmas karaoke. Why not go the whole hog; light a fire, roast some chestnuts, sing carols. It’s Christmas, after all!
Written by Becky Matyus. Posted on 9th December.
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