image
image
Deck the halls with boughs of savings
A helpful blog with all the tips you need to navigate the Christmas period without breaking the bank

Christmas is just brilliant, isn’t it? The family gets together, you feast on delicious food, you’re (hopefully) off work, and everyone is generally in a great mood!

One unfortunate side effect, however, is the cost. Every year, many of us start the New Year with our bank accounts in a state of shock as we resolutely promise that next year things will be different. Well, guess what? This year it WILL be different! So, put on your comfiest Christmas jumper, grab a mug of cocoa, and find out how.

Plan, plan, plan

We seem to say this a lot – but in truth it’s nearly impossible to achieve your financial goals without a plan in place. When it comes to Christmas, before you plan the 12-course meal that you’re going to cook for all 412 members of your extended family, work out what your budget is. We aren’t suggesting you try to manage the festive season on a £5 budget, but be realistic with what you can afford. If your budget doesn’t cover the whole meal, ask your guests to bring something with them. For example, someone could bring the pudding, someone could prep and bring the veg over, and someone else could provide the cheese board! It’ll save you time and money.

The gift that keeps on giving

Gifts can be the costliest part of Christmas, but do they have to be? Think back to last year (yes, it does seem like a long time ago) – what were the best gifts you received? Can you even remember all of the gifts you got?

Gifts don’t have to cost a fortune to be meaningful, so if you are strapped for cash consider a cheaper (free) alternative. Got a friend who’s recently had a kid? Offer to babysit one night. How about that friend who’s terrible at DIY, while you’re a veritable wizard with a hammer? Offer to help them put up that shelf that’s been propped against the wall for three months.
Free doesn’t mean bad!

Think about how you wrap

Sure, your Christmas tree looks beautiful with colourful packages under it on Christmas morning, but how much money did you spend on wrapping paper last year? Instead of buying novelty paper, brown parcel paper looks great with some colourful string, or you could even use old newspapers to wrap your family’s gifts. Afterall, they’re only going to rip them to pieces, aren’t they?

Look for the best deal

The internet is a wonderful tool but remember to stay on track. Work out what you need to buy before travelling down the rabbit warren and emerging three days later with receipts for things you don’t need. It may seem obvious, but Google Shopping regularly turns out the best pricing options by comparing multiple large retailers instantly. Just remember to account for delivery times.

Heading home? Book now!

If you’re travelling a distance to get home for Christmas – BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKETS NOW! It may seem early, and of course you can do it next week, but it will probably cost you more the longer you leave it.

How to start an Emergency Fund
20 Feb 2024
Which savings account is the right one for you?
18 Jan 2024
New Year Financial MOT
09 Jan 2024