Christmas can be that time of year that just gets people into a complete frenzy and sometimes cause more anxiety and financial stress than it’s worth. We forget what this time is truly supposed to be about and get caught up on the “things” rather than the meaning.
I used to work in a bank and nothing made you see that pressure and stress people put on themselves more.
I thought I’d put together some of my own practical tips on how you can save your self some money and sanity this Christmas. Some might seem simple, but just a little reminder that sometimes it’s not all about what your giving, but the love and heart that goes behind it! Here is to a frugal Christmas.
Set A Budget
I feel like people just go insane at Christmas and don’t even think or look at how much they’re spending. Set a budget for your gifts and for what you plan to spend on food and entertaining and stick to it.
If you’re going above, then adjust your purchases. Don’t forget Christmas isn’t JUST about gifts, it’s about family and spending time! Oh and something about Jesus I think?
Homemade Christmas Cards
I know I would rather receive a handwritten card then some generic store bought card! Wear some funny outfits and take a family photo for a giggle or get crafty and let the kind be involved! Blank cards and craft supplies are cheap as chips.
DIY Wrapping Paper
Kraft paper! Looks like it’s straight out of a Pinterest photo and ad some cooking string and your a regular artsy fartsy mummy blogger! Add some holly or similar and it will look so pretty. Using brown paper is a frugal alternative to expensive wrapping paper.
Don’t Buy For Everyone
Christmas gives so much pressure and stress. The list of people some were buying for. Since when does your cousin’s wife’s brothers dog need a gift?
In fact, why does any adult, outside of maybe your partner and parents even need a gift? Buy for the kids! If there’s a tone of grandkids, then Kris Kringle that! The money is better spent on the food you’ll eat on the day, trust me!!
Gifts That Keep Giving
This is a big thing for me. Buying things that can be added to, be improved, needs accessories, etc. For example, if someone bought me a lense for my camera i would always use it. . For the kids you can give a membership to somewhere they love going. I have a friend who fills 12 envelopes with a month written on each, on the first of the month the child gets to open the envelope. It could containa voucher or a treat such as the cinema, a day out. The gift that gives through out the year.
Plan 365 Days In Advance
The second Christmas is over then all those pretty decorations and non-perishables are going at a clearance. Snap them up and have everything ready to go for next year at a fraction of the cost! This saves a lot of money and will mean a more frugal christmas the following year.
Second Hand Decorating
If you want to be a bit different and pick up some gorgeous trinkets, then check out the charity shops or the pop up Christmas shops that appear. You can pick up some awesome items that are great quality and you can save a lot of money. Look around, see what you can find for a frugal christmas.
Hustle For A Discount
Every time I buy something online, I Google a discount code . Or play the big department stores against one another and do your research. If someones got it on special, ask the next store if they can beat that price! Amazon is good for this. If you don’t try you wont get.
Make Your Own
We’ve really lost the art of gift giving and it’s become such a consumer nightmare! If you’re tight on budget, then give something else that means a lot more – your thought, time and love!!
Make your own pressies! Better yet, grow your own produce and make some jam, a relish, cuttings for a little plant, a scrub – the ideas are endless!! I love making home made fudge which would look great in a bag or box with lots of ribbon.
Don’t Make It All Your Problem
If your hosting Christmas, then don’t be afraid to give everyone a task/item to bring!
Got an uncle who likes a few too many? Put him in charge of the booze (since he’ll most likely be drinking it all anyway). Is someone allergic to gluten? Cool, you’ve got the Christmas Pudding gig (or get one of the epic pre-made from a supermarked). The annoying cousin who decided she’s vegan this year? Sweet, you’re on salads duties!
Oh, by the way, it’s BYO chairs because I’m not buying a bunch of chairs just for one day!!
With the rise in the cost of living, make christmas less stressful and try to be more frugral. Save Money and don’t spend so much that you are going to end up in debt. Please share anymore tips to make christmas frugal.
