The best budgeting tip for Christmas ever

Today – The best budgeting tip for Christmas

I want to share this with you now before you get too Christmas carried away (people do you know) It’s my absolutely top tip for Christmas when it comes to budgeting. Are you ready..

Make it all about the experience not the presents 

If it’s all about lists, shopping, buying and wrapping and spending we are getting a bit lost in consumerism. If this is our focus and what we pour all our time and our energy in the next few weeks into we are losing a real sense of the Christmas spirit.

We are also, most probably, spending more money than we have and certainly more than we can afford. You know what? it doesn’t need to be this way. 

Best budgeting tip for Christmas

There are many, many ways to have a very happy and very special Christmas without spending a lot of money and I’m going to tell you my favourites:

1. Do some Christmas baking…lots of fun for the kids and really gets you in the spirit. Baking makes top gifts too with a little cellophane and ribbon shortbread brownies etc are a lovely gift. Crank up the Christmas music and have baking day.

2, Do some Christmas crafting make snowflakes out of white paper angels out of paper plates (google it!) and tags out of old cards. this will also ll save you money get you in the spirit and provide lots of together time.

3. Build in some lovely traditions like a long family walk on boxing day,  nativity service on Christmas Eve, making reindeer dust writing Santa a letter on December 1st. Traditions create warm and cozy feelings and cement out childhood

4. Get out the board games and play charades. have fun on the wii and watch old movies on TV. You don’t need expensive meals out, the cinema or even pantomimes, why not make your own fun!  

5, When it comes to food be sure to plan carefully.  So much food gets wasted, particularly Christmas dinner. Yes, it is nice to have a nice meal but it doesn’t have to be ENORMOUS with 4 puddings. Everyone feels better if they don’t overindulge too much on the wine, chocs and dinner so give them a hand and buy just what you need.

Saving money is important at Christmas and through the year. We need to make sure we are saving for the future too, Kids grow up in the blink of an eye and years pass.

Just remember this and don’t get too Christmas carried away.

This best budgeting tip for Christmas post has been written by me as part of a project with Now:Pensions who are encouraging people to think about saving now and in the future. You can read more of my tips for a thrifty Christmas here and how to prepare for a thrifty Christmas here

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