Although we seem to be getting back on our feet with more shops, entertainment facilities and restaurants opening, many of us are going to find Christmas difficult financially. And with the fear of a potential second lockdown things may get worse before they get better.
I know Christmas isn’t all about the presents or how much money you spend. It’s more about spending time with loved ones but we all want to buy things for the people we love to show that we care and sometimes the pressure and expectation from others can cause people to spend more then they had hoped. I know I always live in fear that the presents I buy aren't as good as or expensive as the presents I am receiving.
Every year I always I always do what I can to save money here and there. Previously I have made people Christmas presents rather then buy presents (You should check out my homemade selection box).
So as this year is particularly difficult I will share some of my idea to bring the cost of Christmas down. I would love to hear your ideas of how you keep your Christmas costs down.
keep looking for proper discounts
ReplyDeleteSo important, particularly after a difficult year for everyone
ReplyDeleteThis Christmas will certainly be different for friends and relatives who have been made redundant placing them in the need of extra love and care.
ReplyDeleteMaking presents is definitely a good idea, I bet the recipient of that homemade selection box was delighted!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a homemade selection box! think I am going to try this
ReplyDeleteI always try and make cross stitch cards as gifts and also handmade decorations for the tree with the year on, especially if little ones can get involved.
ReplyDeleteI always try and make cross stitch cards as gifts and also handmade decorations for the tree with the year on, especially if little ones can get involved.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea re the Home made selection Box !
ReplyDeleteI'm going to pinch this for this year!
Many selection boxes are just packaging and this is so much better value and can be personalised to everyones favourite things !
I like making Christmas presents too, sometimes I make Christmas cakes they are always well received as gifts.
ReplyDeletelots of good ideas here
ReplyDeleteI try to spread the cost of Christmas by buying presents as and when I see things throughout the year. We re-use wrapping paper too, but once its worn out I want to replace it with an environmentally friendly option.
ReplyDeleteSome great tips thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm cutting down dramatically and will just give everyone a bit of money.
ReplyDeleteLove the homemade selection box!
ReplyDeleteGood advice! we just ask everyone to limit the price of presents asked for & given!
ReplyDeletegreat ideas
ReplyDeleteI love making Christmas cards and labels instead of buying them!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea
ReplyDeleteMy kids make gift tags from last years christmas cards :-)
ReplyDeleteSaving pennies and have fun always maked me smile
ReplyDeleteI start my buying in the Boxing Day sales and buy little and often when I see good bargains throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is cancelled this year
ReplyDeleteI try and knit and sew some presents for people
ReplyDeletei do 5d diamond cards and pictures
ReplyDeleteThat homemade selection box looks awesome, can you make one for me?
ReplyDeleteChristmas isn't for another 9 months, its still March!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas will be different this year and I hope to shop more local and support small businesses
ReplyDeleteI buy presents throughout the year to spread the cost as well as buying things second hand and fixing them up. Got H a bike this year for £10 off gumtree, have fixed the breaks on it, replaced tires and sprayed it white and stencilled her name on it - it looks amazing and total cost was under £30
ReplyDeleteWe do look around for bargains, especially those we know the kids really want!
ReplyDeleteI never buy anything at full price, always either wait until the price drops or use cash back sites
ReplyDeleteI look in charity shops for new children's toys that are fine but just have cruffy boxes. They are often ridiculously cheap and let's face it, the boxes are discarded after a few minutes so there is no added value to having brand spanking new boxes.
ReplyDeleteI always google discount codes when shopping at large retailers, but am trying to support small businesses this year.
ReplyDeleteI buy discounted toiletries all year round and make a hamper
ReplyDeleteI try to buy things when they are discounted
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be an odd Christmas this year, but there will still be lots of offers about - maybe more as retailers fight for sales.
ReplyDeleteLove reading through the comments and getting ideas. Christmas can be so expensive.
ReplyDeleteI use sites like Swagbucks and get some points for my online shopping throughout the year as well as doing other things like quick surveys on there. It all adds up, then I can cash it out as vouchers for my Christmas shopping.
I'm always on the hunt for a good bargain , charity shops are great .
ReplyDeletewe have decided to cut down our spending this year, and doing secret santas with family members that way everyone gets a decent present rather than loads of unwanted presents
ReplyDeleteI try and shop all year round and always look out for bargains for Chrismas
ReplyDeleteGreat tips - i'll try a homemade selection box. My tip is to start early but shop around, compare prices and use any offers that are available
ReplyDeleteVery helpful thank you. :) This is something I always struggle with. I shop all year round so it's not so much all at once but I still end up feeling like I need to spend more. :( Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteSome really useful tips, thank you
ReplyDeleteI try to buy certain items on Prime day and this year I'm getting more organised than ever. I've set strict budgets & so far have stuck to them. I'm saving my clubcard vouchers for buying Christmas dinner.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing secret santa for the adults and having a smaller Christmas than usual. It's about family this year and not presents!
ReplyDeleteI buy throughout the year when there is a deal on
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm cutting down dramatically and will just give everyone a bit of money
ReplyDeletealways on the look out for deals this year more than ever
ReplyDeleteIi love the idea of making a homemade selection box!
ReplyDeletegreat advice
ReplyDeleteI'm looking all year round for small things I can buy from my weekly budget (preferably on offer) Put them in a crate and put with home made jam / cake sweets depending on who its for at Christmas or for birthdays
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas here because we will all need to save on what we are spending!
ReplyDeletei like the idea of making presents
ReplyDeleteGreat advise, People want your presence not your presents.
ReplyDeleteHome made hampers well my wife does them for the family
ReplyDeletel love to make hand made gifts, likes cards, embroidery and keepsakes l think it means so much more!
ReplyDeleteGreat. Sometimes handmade is better.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to shopping local once we can get out
ReplyDeleteHaving to cut down drastically this year so have limited our spending on presents.
ReplyDeletewe save money by getting the kids main presents way before Christmas so they arent sold out or have to pay way over the odds for them.
ReplyDeleteGood article lots of fantastic ideas
ReplyDeleteI imagine there are many who are a little fretful about paying for Christmas. Homemade gifts are lovely to receive.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to lots of others here, I try to spread the cost and buy bits and pieces, and presents when they are reduced, throughout the year. I also buy a couple of extra tins or packet foodstuffs that won't go out of date. So by the time Christmas comes along I have a hamper of food and goodies, and my Christmas shopping bill is not so big.
ReplyDeleteI buy presents throughout the year when there are sales on and save them up for Christmas
ReplyDeleteThe homemade selection box is super cool!
ReplyDeleteI try to save money at Christmas too and spread the cost as much as I can by buying things throughout the year. I didn't do very well this year though and started later than I usually do
ReplyDeleteFab advice I love making my own gifts where I can to save on packaging
ReplyDelete