Eek! Christmas is rapidly approaching and if you’re anything like me there’s a little bubble of panic building away. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas, but there’s always that little worry about how we’ll afford the big day… Fear not, there’s still time to put a little stash aside… and earn lots of admiration as well by making your own fabulous presents.
1. Arrive at a budget
Set a figure now and stick to it. Let all the family know your budget so that you can manage their expectations. One of the best ways to manage your Christmas finances is to start thinking about them as early as possible. Having set your budget, starting thinking about ways of working around it and making the most of it.
2. It’s never too late to save some money
I know, I know… there’s not much time, but there are lots of little savings you can make on a daily basis that can add up by Christmas. How about stopping that daily Starbucks habit? Stop now and you could save around £100 by Christmas.
And if you stop buying your lunch at work and start taking your own homemade lunch you could save another £100.
» In praise of the packed lunch
Do you buy a daily paper? Why not try reading a free one online. There are lots of little money saving habits you could take up in time to save a fair amount by the big day.
Get off the bus a few stops earlier – not only will you be fitter from all that walking, but you could save money as well
Don’t switch on the heating during the day – make use of hot water bottles and extra jumpers – » How to make a hot waterbottle cover from an old sweatshirt
Start buying supermarket own brands and budget alternatives, avoid ready meals and take aways. You can save lots of money this way.
3. Make your Christmas plan
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Do you want to make your own presents this year? Then you need to get cracking now. Make yourself a plan. Sit down and list all the people you need to give presents to and think about all the things you could make for them. Can you knit, sew, paint, make jam, bake etc? You don’t have to make big presents as it really is the thought that counts.
» Why homemade presents are better
4. Still time to harvest
What about autum fruits that haven’t been harvested? Talk to family and friends with apple trees etc (don’t forget about walnuts – they can be harvested too). There may still be fruit out there that’s crying out to be turned into homemade chutney. » 10 top tips for jam making and preserving
And how’s the garden looking? Are the last flowers ready to be rescued and turned into homemade pot pourri?
5. Start collecting alternatives to wrapping paper
If you’re a savvy saver you’ll already have saved your wrapping paper and cards from last year. But don’t panic if you haven’t, or if like me you can’t remember where you stored them… there are lots of other bits and pieces that you can find to use. Old books, maps and even junk mail can be turned into amazing gifts, cards, wrapping paper or decorations.
» How to make junk mail Christmas Trees
6. Start making your own gifts
Your own presents. Make use of all that lovely free fruit that’s around. This time of year there’s still fruit around the hedgerows you could harvest and use of to make your own jams, jellies and cheeses and even sloe gin – great presents for all your friends. We’ve tons of ideas.
» Start making your own fabulous Make it and Mend it Christmas now!
Posted by awebuser on November 23, 2011 at 9:58am
Many people go totally over board at Xmas getting into after the Christmas holidays. Your tips are a great way to keep costs lower. Luckily there is still time to plan which will always help to cut costs as you can still look for cheaper alternatives.