It’s very easy to become carried away or be caught in the moment when shopping for Christmas. That’s dangerous even at the best of times.
These are far from the best of times!
Having to be careful with money doesn’t mean you cannot have a good Christmas. It just means you have to be smart about where you spend your money.
That’s what today’s post is all about.
It is possible to still have a fantastic Christmas without getting into debt or having to borrow.
Here are 10 ways you can save a little money while enjoying Christmas.
1. Plan ahead
It may be a little late in the day to plan for this year but you can do it for next.
Plan presents and catering well in advance of Christmas and you could save significantly on Christmas prices.
The best time to buy Christmas decorations and wrapping paper is the new year. The best time to buy Christmas gifts is whenever you have the money.
There are some gifts that won’t be released until closer to the time but stocking fillers can be bought at any time of year.
2. Set a Christmas budget
Consider how much last Christmas cost, add extra for inflation or extra family members and use that as a budget for this Christmas.
Factor in any change of circumstances too. If you have more money, you may be able to spend more. If you have less, spend less.
The important thing about budgeting isn’t about setting spending caps. It’s about being aware of what you’re spending and on whom.
It keeps you present while you’re spending and helps you keep track of that spending.
3. Give the gift of time
Most children will want the latest ‘must-have’ gift at Christmas but they will also appreciate having more time with you.
Older family members will very likely appreciate you spending more time with them over Christmas.
This can be more valuable than a gift and is something that can break the cycle of giving that Martin Lewis talks about so often.
4. Compare prices for everything
There are comparison websites for every conceivable expense so use them when shopping for Christmas.
Use food shopping comparison websites to check grocery prices. Use one of the number of general comparison websites for gifts and make sure you buy the cheapest version of whatever you need.
There is no such thing as customer loyalty anymore. Supermarkets aren’t afraid to play pricing games with us, so we should do the same to them.
5. Don’t feed the five thousand
If your family is anything like mine, they cook enough food for the entire street at Christmas and there are only four of us. Nothing goes to waste as we’ll eat it for days after and turn leftovers into other meals, but still.
We are all guilty of spending too much on food at Christmas. Perhaps this year could be different.
Spend as much as you need to feed your family well, but not so much that you’re all eating for the sake of eating.
6. Buy your meat early
If you’re eating meat for Christmas dinner, buy it early. There are deals on meat throughout the year and you could save a lot by buying meat and freezing it ready for the day.
That’s especially true if you’re having turkey. The meat isn’t very popular at other times of the year so can be had for a good price.
Be mindful of how long you’ll keep it in the freezer though. You cannot keep food frozen indefinitely!
7. Keep a running total of your spending
Keeping a running total of how much you spend at Christmas can really focus the mind.
If you’re spending throughout the year and are planning well in advance, it’s even more difficult to keep track of what you have spent on whom.
You can track however you like. Keep receipts, use a spreadsheet or write on paper. Whatever works for you.
Just keep an eye on what you spend and make sure you’re sticking to some kind of spending target.
8. Restrict gift giving to younger family members
Another way to save money at Christmas is to just gift to younger family members and leave grownups.
As long as you make it clear from the outset and everyone knows what to expect and why, it can work very well indeed.
You can buy gifts for youngsters and give them whatever they want and give the gift of time to older family members. The vast majority of families don’t spend enough time together.
This could be the perfect time to change that.
9. Make your gifts
This tip is mainly useful for crafty people, which isn’t me unfortunately. If that’s you, making a gift can make someone’s day and not cost you much at all.
There are thousands of videos online or how-to guides for everything from making your own candles to pottery or making your own liqueurs.
That old saying we wheel out at every Christmas and birthday ‘it’s the thought that counts?’ It really can be true you know!
10. Use up old gift cards
If you still have balances on gift cards you haven’t spent yet, now could be a good time.
If you don’t need anything or don’t usually shop where the card is accepted, you could use it to buy gifts for Christmas.
Gift cards have an expiry date. If you don’t use it by that date, the retail or card issuer keeps the money. It’s a very unfair systems but that’s the way it is.
That’s why I suggest using any gift cards you’re unlikely to want to use for gifts for others.
As long as you don’t say anything, nobody will know so your secret will be safe. It’s just another form of regifting anyway, which is now much more acceptable.
Those are just ten of the many ways you can save money at Christmas without going without. I’m sure you can think of others.
In fact, why not share your Christmas money saving tips in the comments?
