At Little Lives UK we are committed to supporting children, young people and families around the UK so we want to share some top tips of how to save money this Christmas whilst making sure everyone has a good time and without becoming Scrooge.
As the cost-of-living crisis rolls on into another month, and arguably one of the most expensive months of the year, we know things may be a little tougher this year to achieve the Christmassy cheer.
Read on and see how you can treat the family and have a wonderful Christmas without breaking the bank!
Shop second hand for gifts
We know that a lot of people’s families want to have something new and shiny for Christmas, maybe they have been thinking about it all year round, but did you know that you can get some amazing presents that are in good condition at second hand shops and charity shops?
You can find a whole treasure trove of presents and gifts in charity shops that can either be given as quirky or vintage gifts or can be given to the up-cycler of the family who will recycle, repurpose and reuse the old but new-to-you jacket or pair of shoes. Not only do they get a cool new look but you are also helping to save the environment by reducing textile waste.
Shopping at charity shops is not only cheaper than shopping at other shops but you are also helping to support a good cause. Isn’t that what Christmas should be about?
Limit the number of presents
This may hurt a little for the younger ones in the family but if you limit the number of the presents, or how much each present costs, then you will drastically cut the bill this year.
You could even start a new tradition, maybe one special present each for the children in the family. Not only does help your wallet but it could also teach them a little about the real meaning of Christmas and not about the over spending, over gorging and swimming in hundred of presents.
Share the workload
If you are planning on having your family and friends around for a big meal, why don’t you share the cooking load so it is not all left down to one person?
Mum cooks the turkey, your brother brings the roast potatoes, your auntie brings some veg and nan brings the Christmas pudding. It is simple and will help cut the energy costs and food bill costs for one person.
You can even get to know your neighbours a little better this Christmas. Try eating your Christmas meal together. Spread the cost and make new friends whilst you do it.
Cook your Christmas dinner cheaper
According to the BBC there are some great ways to cook your favourite Christmas food on a budget.
Some of their suggestions include buying a cheaper or smaller turkey this year and stock up on the filling sides. Everyone loves sausages and stuffing so no one will even notice the smaller turkey.
Stick to your meal plan. It can be easy at Christmas to let all inhibition go and splurge on the fanciest food there is, but there is really no need to. If you make a meal plan now of exactly what you want to spend and on what foods and stick to it, you could possibly do your Christmas lunch for as little as £5 a head! There are plenty of cheap Christmas recipes available which will help you along the way.
Another handy tip to help reduce costs is to avoid being stuck to tradition. Try something new this year with a cheaper meat choice or by having a meat-free Christmas meal. If you still want to stick to meat, gammon and pork are both cheaper than turkey and you can still make a fantastic meal out of both of them.
Get creative with DIY decorations
Unless you have your ancient Christmas decorations still up in the loft from decades gone by that you are attached to, it may be an idea to update your them to more eco-friendly decorations that won’t cost you a lot.
Did you know, according to U-Switch, it costs a family with an average light display £52 to run their outdoor fairy lights for just over a month? Maybe it is time to try some homemade Christmas decoration ideas that don’t require a lot of money or a large electricity bill!
Homemade tinsel, stars, crackers trees and holly-wreaths are easy to make, are fun to make with the family and look great!
Remember Christmas is not about how much we can spend on each other and how much dinner has to cost but is about spending time together and having fun with the family and your friends.
This new budget Christmas may make you think of changing it permanently and enjoying the smaller and easier things this festive season.
