How to Save Money at Christmas
Christmas is a joyful and festive time of year, but between all the gift giving and indulgences, it can also put a strain on your finances. If you're looking for ways to save money during the holiday season, then you're in luck.
We've compiled this list of tips that can help you cut costs while still creating cherished memories and spreading holiday cheer. With a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy a memorable Christmas without breaking the bank.
Top tips on how to save money at Christmas:
1. Create a budget
Before purchasing presents, food and other Christmas decorations, it's worth considering how much you're willing to spend. Setting a budget for yourself can help you organise your finances, ensuring that all necessities can be paid for before purchasing any Christmas presents.
Keeping track of your finances, especially during festive period, can be pretty tricky, but there are ways to monitor your spending. You can use a spreadsheet or a budgeting app to keep a record of how much each item costs so you can see when you're exceeding the limit.
If you're unsure how to break down your finances, you can divide your total spending limit into different categories and allocate specific amounts based on your priorities and preferences. For example, you can allocate funds for food, presents, decorations, bills, rent, and other expenses. This will help you keep track of your spending and ensure that you don't overspend in one or more areas.
2. Make a list and prioritise
Sorry, we’re not talking about the type of Christmas list that you post off to Lapland so Santa’s elves know what to make in their workshop…
Whether you're shopping for immediate family members and close friends or extended family and acquaintances, creating a list can help you prioritise. With each name, you can set aside a spending limit in line with your overall budget to make sure that you can buy for everyone comfortably..
Lists are also useful for writing down specific items that you want to buy, so you can clearly see whether you're under or over budget.
3. Become the hostess with the mostess!
Dining out is expensive, whatever the time of year, but the Christmas period is by far the priciest of all! Save money by cooking up a storm in your own kitchen and inviting friends and family over to join in with the festive celebrations! To get your culinary creativity flowing, here are some ideas for hosting at home this Christmas,
Home-cooked meals
Instead of eating out at expensive restaurants, plan and prepare home-cooked meals. Not only can you save money, but you can also create a warm and cosy atmosphere at home. Get creative with festive recipes, involve family and friends in meal preparations, and enjoy the process of cooking together. Consider trying out new holiday recipes or reviving traditional family favourites.
Potluck gatherings
To further reduce the costs of hosting a meal, organise a potluck gathering with family and friends. Each person can contribute a dish, spreading the workload and expenses. This way, everyone gets to showcase their culinary skills and enjoy a variety of delicious dishes.
What’s more, hosting a potluck brunch, lunch, or dinner will give you the perfect chance to show off all your festive decorations and Christmas tree!
DIY entertainment at home
Instead of spending money on expensive activities, consider hosting fun and cost-effective gatherings at home. Organise a movie night with friends or family, and have a games night. Encourage everyone to bring their favourite game for a more diverse selection.
Explore free or low-cost activities
Take advantage of free or low-cost activities available in your community during the holiday season. Attend local tree lighting ceremonies, parades, or community festivals. Visit public parks or outdoor ice-skating rinks for a fun and festive experience. Many communities offer free or low-cost holiday events that provide entertainment and joy without straining your budget. Check local event listings and community websites to find out about these opportunities.
4. Consider homemade gifts
Christmas is a time of giving, but that doesn't mean you need to spend lots of money to show your love and appreciation. Some of the best and most precious Christmas presents are handmade and hold just as much sentimental value as an expensive gift. Not only will you save money, but you'll also have fun, get creative, and build the perfect Christmas with the people you love by making your own gifts.
Whether you decide to bake some sweet treats, craft your own jewellery, or personalise a picture frame, handmade gifts can be unique and hold a lot of sentimental value. Consider the skills and talents you possess and use them to create heartfelt gifts that your loved ones will cherish.
5. Shop early and compare prices
Another great way to save money and spread the cost of Christmas is by shopping early. The best time to buy Christmas trees and other decorations is usually a few months before December. As we enter autumn, this can be a good time to assess your expenses, take advantage of sales and discounts, and form a budget so you have an idea of what to look out for.
It is also worth considering Black Friday, Cyber Monday and, if you’re really organised, the Boxing Day sales, which could present you with discounted prices on items. You can also compare prices online and in-store to find the best Christmas tree deals. With price comparison sites and apps, you can save a lot of time and cut costs effectively. Be sure to set a budget for each person or category on your list, and stick to it while you shop.
You might also want to get your Christmas decorations and tree in advance, too. One of the best things about artificial Christmas trees is that, unlike real trees, you can buy one at any point in the year and store it until the time’s right for it to go up! Plus, having it all sorted ahead of time will leave you one less thing to worry about once December arrives.
6. Plan your meals
Planning your Christmas dinner in advance can help you save money and avoid last-minute impulse purchases. Make a list and stick to it when you go food shopping. If you want to have an extravagant feast on Christmas Day, look up some recipes and write down a list of ingredients.
Once you have your main meal sorted, you can add extra food items as long as they fit your budget. It’s also worth considering using frozen food, which you can store and keep for longer until the big day.
You might want to consider alternative ingredients for your Christmas dinner as well. Chicken is just as delicious as turkey but will cost you far less…it’ll be easier to fit in the oven, too! Or, if breaking from tradition isn’t a crime against the Christmas spirit, why not go veggie? There are a growing number of incredible ready-made meat-free options available in supermarkets or you could have a go at making your own nut roast. The golden rule when it comes to shopping for food, though, is never to go when you’re hungry! This will make it far easier to stick to your list and avoid impulse buying.
7. DIY decorations
As well as making gifts, you can also make your own holiday decorations. From DIY Christmas cracker ideas to filling your own baubles, there are tonnes of fun activities to do if you have small children or want to surprise your partner. You could collect materials to create ornaments, baubles, and table centrepieces or thrift items from charity shops and sites like Facebook Marketplace and upcycle them for your decor. Whether you want to use an old lantern or put together your own wreath and garland, there are plenty of sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok that can offer a lot of fun and creative ideas.
8. Don't forget hidden expenses
When creating your Christmas budget, don't forget to account for hidden expenses. It's easy to overlook these costs, but they can add up quickly if not accounted for.
Remember to allocate funds for wrapping paper, gift tags and bags, ribbons, and other gift-wrapping supplies. Buying quality wrapping paper might cost you more initially, for instance, but it could easily be reused, so it’s worth weighing up the cost benefit for extra quality. Additionally, factor in the cost of Christmas cards and postage fees if you plan to send greetings to loved ones - if it’s cheaper to drive or walk over to the recipients’ letterboxes, then try that instead this year. These small expenses may seem insignificant, but they can impact your overall budget.
Lastly, if you're planning to travel during the festive period, consider transportation costs such as plane and train tickets or fuel if you’re driving. By including these hidden expenses in your budget, you can avoid any financial surprises and stick to your budget.
9. Consider alternative gift-giving options
Instead of buying physical gifts, consider giving gift vouchers for experiences, services or trips. These could include concert tickets, theatre performances, sporting event passes and spa days or subscriptions for beauty products, cooking ingredients and gardening essentials.
Alternative gift-giving can be just as meaningful and memorable as traditional gifts. By considering the interests and preferences of the person, you can choose options that align with their values and create a unique holiday experience for them.
Save money with Christmas Tree World
By following these tips, you can have a wonderful Christmas while keeping your finances in check. Remember that the true spirit of Christmas lies in spending time with loved ones and creating meaningful memories, not in the amount of money spent on gifts.
At Christmas Tree World, we offer a wide range of Christmas decorations at affordable prices. From Christmas trees and lighting to wreaths and garlands, our high-quality products are made to last, so you can enjoy using them for many years.
Decorate your living space with our Christmas decorations today, and you can receive a 10-year guarantee plus FREE UK mainland delivery when you spend over £30!
Read our delivery & returns specifications for more information.
