While this post may seem a little late, its message works for any Christmas and thus, I have posted it. First off start by boosting your Christmas present shopping budget by cashing in reward points on your Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card, Boots Advantage Card and any other loyalty cards you have. It might be worth considering a short-term loan from a firm in anticipation of payday, allowing you to make the most of the season, as long as you can pay it back within the agreed term.
Decide who you are buying for, and consider a Secret Santa between friends, or setting maximum prices for the adults’ presents. See if you can prune your list after speaking to family and friends first of course.
Looking for deals
When looking for deals, think about following big retailers such as Amazon and Debenhams on Twitter, as they often tweet about their latest deals on-line or in store. Make more use of the internet by searching online for the best deals on Christmas presents.
Community websites such as Freecycle can be ideal, as people give away things they no longer need; from bicycles to TVs and everything in-between. Also check your local Facebook ‘for sale’ site for the same kind of thing. You’ll be amazed what you can find. Don’t forget the outlet villages such as Bicester Village in Oxfordshire and Freeport in Essex. You can find some amazing prices on designer products.
Get Crafty
If you are handy with your fingers, get the sewing machine out and make baby clothes, pyjamas, tea cosies or even complete outfits as gifts. Cook a delicious batch of chutney or jam with beautifully hand-written labels and ribbons to decorate. Homemade chocolate and rum truffles are very cheap and easy to make and they’re a great gift, wrapped in tissue paper in a little box or tin.
A great way to spoil the kids is to buy some inexpensive presents, like second-hand books and toys and wrap them up. It works well as younger children don’t understand money well enough, and the fun is in the unwrapping.
Christmas Day Help
If you are hosting Christmas lunch, ask your guest to bring a dish with them. This will save you both time and money, and gets everybody involved in making the day special. Delegate people to provide mince pies, stuffing, pigs in blankets or even the peeled Brussels sprouts.
If you are brave enough, hold off buying presents until the last moment, as high street store tend to discount most things on Christmas Eve. And if you have some family members that you won’t see until after Christmas Day, wait until the Boxing Day sales to buy their presents; prices will be even better!