5 money saving ideas for Christmas
Christmas can hit us all hard, all those presents to be brought, the food for the table and the decorations from the home. When adding the cost together it can really set us back a few pennies and January can then become a hard month on us all, however it is possible if you just stop and think about what you are doing to save yourself quite a bit at Christmas.
Here are 5 of my money saving ideas:
1. Hand make where you can.
Personally I adore receiving handmade gifts and cards and while they can take a while to put together and get just right, in the long run they can save you quite a bit. Plus, it doesn’t really matter what you are good at, say you love to bake – treat everyone to mince pies, cake or Christmas pudding. More of a crafter then jewellery, pictures, mugs there is all sorts you can decorate to give as a present. That’s without getting into making your own decorations (paper chains are so this year).
2. Reuse / Re-gift.
You don’t need to buy new decorations last year, get your old ones out, dust them off and pop them back up, it has been a year who’s going to remember exactly what you used last year anyway. Re-gifting is a bit of no go with some people, but if done right it can save you money, just make sure you don’t send it back to the original sender.
3. Use voucher websites.
When you do need to splash out make sure you not only shop around, but if you’re buying online check voucher websites such as Vouchacodes.co.uk to help you get the best price possible on those most have gadgets.
4. Get cash back.
This is one I’ve really started to get into over the past few months and it is so simple to do. You just need to sign up to a website such as TopCashBack and then visit the website you wish to purchase from via them, at the moment you can even get a £5 Amazon voucher for signing up (an earning £10 worth of cash back). Helen from Mummy to the Max has some great ideas for using TopCashBack prior to Christmas as well. (It is worth remembering you can often only use either a voucher code or get cash back so make sure you work out which one is best for each purchase).
5. Do you really need it?
This probably the hardest one for me, I am always spotting things and thinking ohh that would be just right for someone and so I buy it, then forget I’ve brought it and then I’ve spent more than I really need to. So get yourself organised, write a list of what you really need and stick to it. You might be surprised by how much you save when not buying those little bits.
How do you save money at Christmas?
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Re-using items and re-gifting is definitely the best route. It not only save you money, it also helps the enviroment. And this year, I started saving and shopping for Christmas 6 months before. It does make all the difference. Particularly, taking out the financial pressure I use to feel towards the Christmas season. Greet tips indeed, thanks for sharing.
Great tips sarah, I have signed up to cashback sites, my bank even has one, and I always forget about them I could of earnt a fortune by now! I always use old decorations and always but in the sales, eg next christmas decs in january, halloween stuff on 1st november etc
some great tips there! I rarely buy new decorations, I might add one or two each year to my collection. I look out for special offers, especially 3 for 2 offers on gifts and toys. Also, I tend to save up my reward points/vouchers to use at Christmas time.
Cash back sounds like a great idea, I really need to start getting into that!
I use topcashback and have £50 saved since May, I also save up all my Tesco vouchers
I love that you have re-gift on here. I don’t know why regifting got such a bad rap. If you don’t like it and you know someone who will it just makes sense to pass it on.
Great tips! I use topcashback a lot, great money saving tool.
I do a lot of re-gifting or even second hand store gifts. If I know the person would just love it, I buy it, even if its from a thrift store.
Do you really need it? is probably the question I ask myself the most.
Christmas isn’t celebrated in our house for personal reasons, so we tend to wait for the sales to start and pick a couple of things we want either on boxing day or in the Jan sales.
Great tips. I set a budget of £200 for everyone and I refuse to go over it. I’ll be saving but getting less and I’ve been getting things throughout the year if I spot them on sale.
When Christmas is around I am pretty sure your expenses are going to be on the high with all those shopping you have to do. And these are some simple yet effective tips to make sure you could save something out of it. Regifting is a wonderful idea which we do most times, so someone could use it at least.
Some good ideas here, it can get so expensive can’t it!
Christmas time can be a very expensive time. It’s nice to be able to save a little money.
I certainly need money saving ideas, Christmas costs me a fortune. Thanks for this!
Some great ideas there, I’m actually a member of Topcashback but never use it-must look into it.
This year money is going to be tight so we plan on doing either gift cards or handmade gifts for close relatives.
great tips, i’m hand making some gifts this year, although sometimes they end up more expensive. But i’ve found being mindful that people don’t want a load of clutter and junk anyways
Great ideas. I’ve just started using cashback sites and I’m hooked!
Great tips. I alway earn lots of cashback over Christmas and try to do most of my shopping online.
I budget and shop as early as I can. It helps a ton, and shopping around for deals I find I can find way more deals online!
Great tips – we have cut right back on who we buy for too
Very useful tips. Thanks. I generally buy gifts all through the year, when they are reduced.
Great tips! My husband loves to browse coupon websites and shop through cash back sites to maximize our savings.
I try my best to remember to use cash back sites whenever I buy anything. I have been much better over the last few weeks and have managed to make back quite a lot x
I buy Christmas gifts in the sale. I am always on the lookout for a good bargain.
Thank you for the tips – i am doing pretty good and trying to hand make as many gifts as possible. Means so much more and granparents love them!
I am the same and need to adapt … do i really need it?!