Christmas can be a very expensive time for most of us, but many of us do not like the idea of budgeting. We may feel that we are not being generous enough if we spend less money or that we are not doing what is expected. However, there are many ways to reduce the amount of money that you spend at Christmas without having to feel like you are not being generous to your friends and family. There are many ways that you can do it and below are a few ideas.
No Spend Pact
It can be good to make some suggestions to friends and family that you do not buy gifts for each other. You could explain that you are on a tight budget and that it might be easier for you both not to exchange gifts. If they have children you could agree just to buy for the children rather than worrying about spending on adults as well. Some people will go for it and others may not, but it is worth approaching them as it could be a relief for all of you. There will be some people that you know it will not be worth approaching at all and others that you will want to ask to see what they say.
Buy Less
These days it seems that there is pressure to buy more and more things. People no longer seem to think it is enough to buy one gift but buy two, three or even more. You could go back to just buying the one thing. It is likely that if you ask a person what they received from you, they will be more likely to remember if it was just the one gift, rather than if you bought a lot. Although children like having lots of things to open, adults are often quite happy with just the one thing.
Second Hand Items
It may feel wrong to buy people second hand items for Christmas, but you can find some really good things and they may even be better than anything you can find new. Some second hand shops will have new items in them anyway. It is always worth a browse as you could find the perfect thing at a fraction of the cost of buying the item new.
Hand Made Items
Some handmade items can be cheaper than buying things from the shop. This does depend on the sorts of things that you make and you will also need enough time to make them. Many people appreciate a handmade item because they know that time and care has gone into it and that you have made it especially for them. You may be able to personalise it as well and they will have nothing else like it.
Reuse Gifts
If you have been given gifts in the past which you no longer want, then it could be good to reuse them and give them to someone who may want them more than you did. They will never know that you did not buy the gift for them and if it is something that they will like more than you, then it could be the perfect gift.
Sales/vouchers/discount codes
It is always worth shopping around to see whether you can get products cheaper. There are comparison websites where you can compare prices of some items and you can also take advantage of sales which will have some items reduced. You may also be able to find vouchers and discount codes to use. You can search online for these, usually they only apply to online purchases, but you may also find some in newspapers and magazines that you can use to get money off.
eCards / homemade cards
The cost of cards can add up, particularly as most people like to see others using charity cards, which can be dearer as well as the price of postage which seems to go up every year. It can be possible to send ecards to people whose email addresses you know and this can save a lot of money. You could also use social media to send cards as well. This is a free option and could help save money. You could also make your own cards, which could be cheaper. You can do this by cutting up cards from previous years or using other items that you have in the home. You will have to buy envelopes, if you do not have the materials to make them, but these could be cheaper than buying cards and a homemade item is often appreciated more, particularly if it is made well.
Reused paper / bags
Wrapping paper is another expense and you could start to do what your great grandparents probably did and reuse it. If you are anywhere where people are unwrapping items, keep the paper. You can remove the tape, iron it and it will be ready for you to use for someone else. It will not only save money, but it will reduce the waste that is created with so much wrapping paper being used. If you are creative you could make funky wrapping out of newspapers or magazines too.
