Thrifty Christmas Tips

Today – thrifty Christmas tips

Thrifty Christmas tips to make all the difference

Christmas can be such an expensive time for people and I think we all worry about the cost. Here are my top twenty thrifty Christmas ides. Do hope they prove helpful.

Thrifty Christmas tips – Food

If you get an invite somewhere for Christmas dinner grab it quick! It will save you time, effort and (a lot of) money. Just be sure to do the washing up!

Remember no ones tummy is bigger just because it’s Christmas. Don’t buy or cook too much food it’s just going to get thrown away and if we overeat we feel sluggish and grumpy. It really isn’t worth it.

Do your main food shop online. Shops purposefully make Christmas food displays look tempting and fabulous. Be strong, stay focussed on your list and avoid temptation – we are after a thrifty Christmas shop here!

 

Thrifty Christmas tips – Pressies

Consider shopping to a list so you keep track of what you have bought and keep focussed.

It is so very easy to keep on spending and not think about what you have already purchased. I have even lost the gifts that I have bought before. with so many people to buy for it – it really is very easy to get yourself in a big old tangle with gifting.

Shop throughout the year as and when you see things on offer (but remember kids grow and interests change!)
Invest in toys/gifts that will last so they give value all year and so you really get your money’s worth Lego and crafts sets are good examples of this

 

Don’t go overboard on gifting

Do not go overboard.. kids remember what Christmas felt like rather than all they had (being worried about how much you have spent will only make you stressed) They really do want your presence more than your presents.

Homemade gifts can be so meaningful. For example, many grandparents already have a houseful of stuff but a little photo album of their grandchildren would go down a treat. Really think about what someone may want most, it may not cost much at all

Keep an eye out for offers and discount voucher codes ..it is amazing what savings you can make with just a little online effort. (PaidShop.com is an excellent example of this and really will help you keep alert to the best deals)

It is well worth exploring cashback sites,…if you are shopping anyway you may as well get paid to do it! A simple but very effective set of thrifty Christmas tips when it comes to gifts

 

A word about re-gifting

And shall we have a word about re-gifting? So many people do this and oh it is so much better than letting gifts go to waste. So if you have a pile of gifts you receive and odnt’ really won’t do consider stashing them away for birthdays or next Christmas to give onto someone else. This may be the most controversial of all my thrifty Christmas tips but honestly, it saves so much money.  You do have to be super careful though BECAUSE you must not give a gift back to the person who gave it to you OR close friends or family of their s or you will get caught out. Make sure you label it with who bought it you so you can re-gift carefully and without any hurt feelings.

 

Frugal Christmas Decorating

Paper chains made by the kids, pompoms and homemade gingerbread hung from the tree, gifts wrapped in children s drawings and bowls of silver sprayed pine cones will look perfect and be so much fun to make. A thrifty Christmas can look amazing

You don’t need to follow the new design trends each Christmas – nostalgia and memories are worth so much more than being a follower of fashion. Dig out the old family baubles they will really warm your heart and they won’t cost a thing.

And have you considered your tree? have a look at my handmade Christmas ornaments for inspo

 

An artificial tree used year after year out will save you a fortune in the long run. Invest in one you love and scent the air with candles for that pine fragrance. You will be ever so glad you did,

My aunty Jane always uses a bit of fallen tree each year and spray paints it and adds baubles …completely free and so effective. You just have to think outside the box sometimes.

Christmas on a budget – Entertaining

If you have people over invite them to bring a course e.g pudding or some after-dinner mints. If they offer to help to words the cost of dinner don’t feel you have to say ‘no thanks it’s fine’..people do like to contribute and you are saving them a rather huge amount of work at the end of the day. shopping and cooking and prepping. So let them contribute cash!

Do also consider visiting a local pantomime rather than a big theatre one. Your kids will still get a great giggle and you will save a fortune.

Nativities and carol concert, winter walks followed by hot chocs, epic board games and visits to friends are all free and fabulous ways to enjoy Christmas; cost doesn’t have to come into it at all if you want to keep the budget really low. You could even invite friends round and put on your own pantomime. It would probably save you about £100 in the process!

 

Thrifty Christmas Tips -Traditions

Traditions make Christmas special for more than gifts so in my house we read the Night before Christmas and sprinkle glitter to light the way for Rudolph, we light a Christmas candle and we remember our loved ones, we go for a walk on Christmas Eve and look at the lights in the houses. None of these things cost money but they do MAKE our Christmas. Have a look here at my post on how to make magic reindeer dust

 

Well, I do hope these thrifty Christmas tips have helped!

 

More thrifty Christmas tips

If you loved this post packed with thrifty Christmas tips then why not pop over here for more posts on a thrifty Christmas and here for more steps to saving money this Christmas

and free Christmas things to do

 

 

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas full of thrifty Christmas tips in action !

 

Craving more thrifty Christmas ideas? Do pop over here if you want to read the best Christmas budgeting tip ever