There are a few ways I’ve managed to save money in the run up to Christmas.
For me, the thing I’m most excited about this year is spending time with the NLM and Frog without ANY work deadlines hanging over my head. I’m also pretty excited about the unlimited food and drink that’s bound to be consumed. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that – for us – it’s not about the stuff, but the time we’ll get together.
That said, there’s some “stuff” we need to buy that we can’t escape from. Like the odd present and much, much food.
Here’s how I’ve saved cash this year:
1) Buy early
Whenever I’ve been in the supermarket recently I’ve kept an eye out for seasonal offers and reductions on things I know we’ll “need” for the Christmas period. I’ve bought half price champagne and Amaretto, half price smoked salmon (with a Use By date of 27th December – luckily) and half price mincemeat for the minced pies. I’ve also managed to bag reductions on crackers for our cheese and biscuits, posh biscuit selection and Quality Street. The icecream was also half price, as was mulled wine and Chablis.
I’ve had to hide it all out of reach though, to reduce the temptation of it getting eaten before the day itself…
2) Shop around and use discount vouchers
Some of my toddler’s presents this year were purchased from deal sites or bought with vouchers from sites like Netvouchercodes.co.uk discount vouchers. You can find great savings on these types of sites, which come in particularly handy if you’ve got your eye on a specific present. It’s always worth looking to see if there’s a discount voucher for it before purchasing.
3) Second hand is your friend
Frog’s main present this year is a wooden doll’s house. I spent ages trying to find a new one online but the ones I did find were all above the budget I’d set. I knew if I spent a fortune on a doll’s house there wouldn’t be as much cash left for the other stuff. Plus, being self-employed, I have to remember that I lose out on having the holiday over Christmas as I won’t get paid.
All of these factors made us decide to try and see if there was a second hand option. So I posted a “wanted” notice on the Netmums Nearly New board in our area and waited for a reply. Within a day I had a former childminder offer me a wooden doll’s house, with furtniture, for £10. I have another post coming up showing how a lick of paint and some wallpaper has transformed it. But I think my toddler will be very pleased on Christmas Day.
We also sourced a few books from charity shops. Each one is great quality – you’d never know they were second hand – and it cost me less than £4 for four. You can’t really argue with that.
4) Homemade
I work very long hours, so don’t really have time to make as much stuff as I’d like to. That said, some of our main Christmas decorations are homemade this year. We spend a lovely Sunday afternoon foraging for pinecones and covering them in glitter for table decorations.
I also made my own chutney this year (it’s become an annual festive tradition) to give as presents. And – of course – I’ve saved a vat for our own Christmas Day and Boxing Day cold meat and cheese feasts.
5) Buy local
Apart from our traditional Christmas Eve steak, all the meat we’ll eat over Christmas has been ordered from our local butchers. It means we’ll eat organic meat that’s been reared locally, for a fraction of the price we’d pay in our nearest supermarket.
Last year, the meat from the same butchers was delicious and well worth the extra trip to order it and then go and collect it. I also felt a bit worthy and pleased with myself for supporting a small, independent business, rather than a big supermarket chain. But mainly, it was my stomach that made the decision.
How have you saved money this Christmas? Feel free to share your tips below – I’m always looking for thrifty inspiration!
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