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How to Give this Christmas without Breaking the Bank

23rd September 2024

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are buzzing with excitement. It’s time to plan our festive activities, write our shopping lists, and think about the gifts we want to give. But hold on! Rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis may mean this year’s Christmas looks a bit different. Some of us might have saved up to splurge on cheerful gifts, dazzling decorations, and lively parties. But guess what? You don’t need a hefty budget to make this holiday special. A magical Christmas is within reach, even on a tighter budget. So, let’s get creative and spread the joy without breaking the bank!

There are some advantages to reducing holiday expenses

Not only does cutting back during the holiday season help you save some cash and tackle those rising costs, but it also brings along some extra perks:

You really know how to prioritise those precious moments with the family! Overspending can suck the fun out of Christmas, especially when you're racing around trying to find that perfect present. By keeping your wallet in check, you can ditch the shopping stress and dive into more quality time with your family and friends during this magical season! This Christmas, even if the gifts are fewer due to a tighter budget, you get to soak up more quality time with your family, dive into games, and truly embrace the spirit of the season!
You can express your appreciation for loved ones in other ways. Finding the right gifts for them during Christmas is a meaningful way to acknowledge them, and by being mindful of your budget, you can explore other options to show this appreciation. Instead of opting for standard gifts, you’ll have the opportunity to be more inventive and select thoughtful gifts that convey how much you care.
You can help kids learn important lessons. While many understand that the essence of Christmas lies in spending time with loved ones and expressing gratitude, kids today might not always think about this. By spending less on gifts during Christmas, you can demonstrate that it's not material possessions that make the holiday meaningful, but rather the memories created, and the time spent together.

So, we're here to help you discover some fun and fab ways to celebrate Christmas without breaking the bank, ensuring you glide into the new year on solid financial ground!

1. Start by creating a budget for Christmas

Creating a budget is important for Christmas shopping. Organising your expenses and planning a budget helps you spend within your financial limits. Whether it’s a year or just a few months until Christmas, you can establish a budget that aligns with your finances and shopping objectives.

Take a look at your bank accounts before you start shopping to figure out how much you can spend on celebrations. Think about the money you’ll be earning until your shopping deadline and evaluate what you'll need for bills and daily expenses. This will help you understand how much you can allocate for gifts and other holiday needs.

First, determine your total budget for Christmas shopping. Then, divide it into sections. Allocate specific amounts for gifts, food, and decorations. Write down your budget and track all your purchases. This method allows you to deduct your expenses from your total budget. It helps you avoid overspending and prevents financial regrets after Christmas.

2. Tips for saving on Christmas gifts and cards

For many families, the biggest expense during Christmas is usually for gifts, followed by food and decorations. There are, however, ways to save on cards and gifts to help manage your budget.

Talk about buying gifts with family and friends

Many adults, like you, are looking for ways to save money this Christmas, particularly with gift shopping. It might be helpful to discuss with friends and family the possibility of cutting back on gifts or setting a spending limit, or maybe just buying gifts for each other's children.

You can consider teaming up with friends or family to buy a shared gift for someone. This can help you save money and make sure the recipient receives a gift they will appreciate.

Look for the cheapest price

As Christmas approaches, various retailers will offer discounts and multi-buy deals to encourage spending. While this may lead to overspending on unnecessary items, you can also leverage these deals effectively if you have a clear idea of what you intend to purchase.

It's a good idea to create a list of gifts you want to buy for various people, and then compare prices to find the best deal. You can check both online and in stores to get the cheapest option before making your purchase. Additionally, remember to look for any freebies or discounts available with your purchase.

Find Me A Gift offers a selection of stocking fillers priced under £5 to help you stay within your budget this Christmas.

Regift those unwanted gifts to someone who’ll appreciate them

We've all been there - getting a gift that just doesn't do it for you! But hey, one person's junk can be someone else's jackpot! So why not get clever with your gifting? Regift those unwanted treasures from last Christmas or your birthday.

When it comes to regifting, only pass along those recycled treasures to people outside your inner circle. If you're scratching your head, trying to recall who gifted you that item, just let it be. You definitely don’t want to accidentally give it back to the original giver!

Consider giving sentimental or homemade gifts

Christmas doesn’t have to be just about buying costly gifts or finding the ideal item that someone has wanted for a while. You can make a variety of things using basic and affordable materials.

People appreciate effort, and creative skills can be a meaningful way to show you care. A scrapbook or a DIY photo album are always lovely gifts.

Spread some digital cheer with e-cards!

Sending handwritten Christmas cards is a lovely holiday tradition, but e-cards can express those same feelings in a digital way, making them cost-effective and eco-friendly.

E-cards come in various designs and styles, making it convenient to choose one for anyone. You can schedule them for specific dates for on-time delivery or send them immediately if needed. Additionally, you have the option to avoid sending physical cards to save money.

Utilise the membership points you have earned throughout the year

The holiday season is a good time for many of us to use our loyalty cards, memberships, and subscriptions. We can redeem points for small gifts, presents, or support our Christmas food shopping, particularly considering rising expenses.

Skip the gifts entirely!

While giving gifts to loved ones has been a tradition in the past, it's important to assess your financial situation to see if you can afford to give presents this year. Others may be in a similar situation, and you all might consider forgoing gifts in favour of spending quality time together or starting a new tradition.

It’s best to avoid buying gifts if you’re uncertain about affording them. Going into debt or relying on extra credit during the holiday season isn’t recommended, so if your budget is tight, consider not making any purchases. Making homemade gifts for your loved ones could be an alternative.

3. Affordable or free Christmas activities for families

Along with exchanging gifts, buying food, and decorating, Christmas-themed activities have gained popularity and become a significant industry recently. Activities such as family photoshoots, selecting Christmas trees, making wreaths, or meeting Santa Claus have turned the holiday season into a bustling period for families, and these activities can be expensive.

There are however plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to costly Christmas activities that you can enjoy with your family.

Visit your nearby Christmas lights switch-on ceremony

The yearly Christmas light switch-on is a well-liked event that many families attend in both small towns and large cities during cold winter evenings. It creates a festive environment and allows for community participation. Furthermore, most of these events are free to join.

Create your own Christmas decorations

Being together and making special memories is one of the highlights of the Christmas season, and making decorations as a family is an affordable activity that anyone can participate in. You can collect natural materials to create a family wreath for your front door, design new decorations for the tree, or simply enjoy crafting or cooking Christmas treats together.

Have a Christmas movie marathon

Is there anything more cosy than curling up on the sofa for a Christmas movie binge, all while cradling a giant mug of hot chocolate and munching on beloved snacks? Even better, why not turn it into a movie marathon and knock out everyone’s all-time favourites back-to-back? If you're short on time, get each family member to jot down their film choice and draw one from a hat for a fun surprise!

Build a snowman (depending on the weather!)

As Christmas approaches, a flurry of excitement fills the air, and we can’t help but dream of a winter wonderland! Just imagine - if the snow decides to grace us with its presence, we could bundle up and create the most epic snowman with the whole family. It’s a delightful way to embrace the season that won’t cost a penny, and it’s guaranteed to spread smiles all around!

Make your own fancy dress

Some people prefer to wear traditional Christmas jumpers or new, shiny outfits for the holiday, but dressing up in costumes for Christmas is also a fun choice. Additionally, you can enjoy making your own outfit with your family in the days leading up to Christmas.

Making your own Christmas fancy dress can be a fun activity for everyone, whether you repurpose old clothes or shop at a charity store for something new. You could choose a theme for everyone to follow or create a competition to judge the best outfit on Christmas Day.

Write letters to Santa

For many families with children, writing a letter to Santa is a highlight of the holiday season, and it can be a fun activity to do together, allowing you to keep track of what’s being added to the list, whilst keeping the magic alive for the little ones!

Ask your child to write a letter to Santa, put it in an envelope, and address it to "Santa Claus: North Pole." After a couple of weeks, draft a personalised reply to your child's letter, sign it "From Santa," and use the same address as the initial letter.

Create a playlist for Christmas

When you hear the first Christmas song on the radio, it signals that the holiday season is approaching. You can make Christmas music more enjoyable by assembling your family to create a Christmas playlist. This playlist can be used on Christmas morning, featuring festive selections from everyone to help set the mood.

Organise a Christmas treasure hunt

Treasure hunts can be a fun and budget-friendly activity for kids that keeps them entertained for a few hours. Organising a Christmas-themed treasure hunt is a good way for family to bond and collaborate in searching for hidden items throughout the house.

You don’t need to spend a lot for the treasure; hiding Christmas decorations for the tree or baking homemade treats are great options. Choosing a theme for your treasure hunt can also add excitement, particularly for young children with shorter attention spans.

4. Keeping costs down on Christmas dinner.

For many families, Christmas Day dinner is an important part of the holiday, often involving significant effort and expense to make it special. While this tradition can be costly, there are methods to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of the meal.

It's common to serve large turkeys and other pricey cuts of meat, but you can save money while still enjoying good flavours by opting for more affordable cuts like stewing meat or looking into different dinner options that are cheaper to make. A hearty soup could be a great alternative for Christmas dinner, especially when served with fresh crusty bread.

If you typically prepare a large dinner for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, consider opting for just one special meal to save on food costs. Regardless of your choice, try to keep it simple, and keep in mind that your loved ones will value the time spent together more than the meal itself.

5. Begin saving money for Christmas 2025 now.

Even though it's probably too late to put together a detailed savings plan for Christmas 2024, you can begin preparing for Christmas 2025 and make sure you save enough money for the holiday season. The most effective approach to saving is to start as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the simpler it will be to set aside funds.

There are various apps designed to help you save money effortlessly. Some of these apps link to your bank account and automatically set aside a certain amount from your paycheck each month, while others round up your purchases and save the difference over time.

One effective method to save money is to shop early and take advantage of sales. Even though January means there is a year left until the next Christmas season, it is an opportune time to find deals during the January sales. If you frequently shop online, many sales begin as early as Christmas Day or Boxing Day, allowing you to start your shopping early if you have a clear idea of what you want to purchase.

Christmas can sometimes create pressure to overspend, but it doesn’t have to. There are various strategies to save money while still enjoying the festive spirit. You can either reduce your overall expenses, simplify your Christmas dinner, or find less expensive yet meaningful gifts. Whatever you choose, you are still guaranteed to have a wonderfully festive time surrounded by everyone that you love.