100 Days Until Christmas: Start Your Festive Planning Now
As the countdown to Christmas begins, it’s time to embrace the festivities while managing your finances wisely. With just 100 days left until the big day, it’s not too early to start thinking about how to keep your Christmas spending in check. The holiday season, although filled with joy, often leads to significant financial stress as we splurge on gifts, decorations, food, and travel. According to the Bank of England, UK households typically spend an additional £713 in December—nearly 29% more than in a usual month.
Caroline Beament, known as “the money-saving mum,” has mastered the art of budgeting for Christmas and shares her top ten tips for saving money during the festive season.
1. Start Early
One of Beament’s cardinal rules is to begin your Christmas shopping as early as possible. She advises taking advantage of the January sales, where Christmas-related items are often sold at steep discounts. “I often find toys and decorations at half price in the new year,” she explains. Keeping meticulous records of what you purchase is key to avoiding duplicate gifts and ensuring your storage isn’t overcrowded.
Saving: £150
2. Shop Second-Hand
Beament emphasizes the benefits of buying pre-loved items. Her experiences have shown that second-hand shopping can yield significant savings, especially on children’s toys. “I found a toy garage for just £5 that retails for £30!” she notes. She recommends platforms like eBay or Vinted, where you can negotiate prices, especially on items that have been listed for a while.
Saving: £200
3. Use Cashback Cards
After experiencing a significant debt crisis in her twenties, Beament transformed her financial habits, now favoring cashback cards that offer savings on everyday expenditures. She highlights a specific cashback card that provides up to 10% back at popular retailers. Such cards can translate into meaningful savings on your festive spending.
Saving: £100
4. Save Up Your Rewards and Vouchers
Leverage loyalty points and store rewards programs for extra savings. Beament loves the Asda rewards program, which allows her to collect money for the festive food shop. She also suggests utilizing websites like Vouchercodes.co.uk and Topcashback.co.uk to find discounts on online purchases.
Saving: £100
5. Get Creative with Decorations
Why spend a fortune on new decorations? Beament encourages creativity—organize a crafting session with friends to create homemade decorations inspired by ideas from Pinterest. Simple projects like popcorn tinsel or salt dough ornaments can add a personalized touch to your festive décor without breaking the bank.
Saving: £50
6. Go to Pound Shops
Pound shops can be a treasure trove for stocking fillers. Beament enjoys letting her children pick out budget-friendly gifts for family members. This not only saves money but also teaches kids about the concept of thoughtful gift-giving.
Saving: £50
7. Make Gifts for Relatives
Homemade gifts can offer a thoughtful touch that store-bought items often lack. Whether it’s a hand-painted photo frame or a batch of homemade fudge, these personal touches can prove more meaningful and memorable.
Saving: £100
8. Shop Around for Your Christmas Food and Drink
During the holiday season, food prices can vary significantly. Beament advises waiting to buy fresh vegetables until closer to Christmas when supermarkets often compete on prices. She also suggests adding a single long-shelf-life festive item to your weekly shop, slowly building your stock without hefty expenses all at once.
Saving: £150
9. Re-gift Your Possessions
Re-gifting can be a creative way to provide gifts without spending extra. Beament recounts how she asked her daughter to pick out books from her collection, wrapping them for a year-round reading surprise, ensuring that these gifts remain thoughtful and special.
Saving: £100
10. Scrap the Turkey
Consider alternatives to the traditional turkey dinner. Opting for a large chicken can be just as satisfying and significantly cheaper. Beament suggests that an unexpected menu change could even add fun to your festivities.
Saving: £20
Total Savings: £1,020
By implementing these tips, you can save over a thousand pounds this Christmas. As the holiday approaches, chatting with family about budgets and gifts can help spread awareness and lighten the financial load.
This year, make your Christmas merry and bright without the financial hangover by incorporating these practical strategies. Happy planning!
