Top Tips To Make This Christmas Special
This post is a collaboration with O2, but all thoughts and experiences are my own.
I have been very open and honest about how I struggle at Christmas. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like trying to make Christmas special, especially for others in my life.
This includes taking full advantage of the discounts and offers that are available in the run-up to the big day.
The past few years have been hard and that will have knock on effects in how we celebrate Christmas.
For instance, in 2019, the average UK adult spent £1,116 on Christmas presents, however in 2020, this decreased to £883.
It is likely that again this year we will all be struggling with making the most of the pennies and time we have. So together with O2 I have come up with some great hints and tips to help make this Christmas a real hit.
Save All Year
While the tip might be one that it is now late to jump on the back of for this year, it could help someone out for future years.
I personally use a savings club to put away a small amount each month. I then receive the amount saved in vouchers come October or November.
This is something I have been doing for a long time now and really helps me.
You could also do this by creating a savings account or pot on your online banking app and setting up a standing order for an amount you won’t miss each month.
Having a little saved up can really help take away one of the stresses of Christmas.
Handmake Gifts
If you are crafty, then how about hand-making Christmas gifts for some people? I must admit that some of the most memorable gifts I’ve received have been handmade.
There is something special about receiving something someone has put their time and effort into creating just for you.
Buy Through the Year
If you struggle with saving through the year, then another technique could be buying presents throughout the year, rather than just when it gets close to Christmas. Of course, this is if you’ll remember you bought them and where you put them.
This technique can work especially well if you take advantage of sales and discounts. There are many after-Christmas sales, mostly on Christmas ornaments and other decorations, allowing you to buy all you need for less.
Look for Sales and Discounts.
Following on from utilising sales through out the year, it is worth shopping around and looking for brands who aren’t upping their prices for Christmas and rather slashing them.
For instance, O2 have a great Christmas sale on the way where you will be able to save up to £400 on phones and tablets.
Set Up a Wishlist and Buy from Other People’s
The wishlist feature is becoming more common across websites and allows you to build and share lists of products you would love to receive.
For instance, if you have your heart set on the brand-new iPhone, it is worth adding it to your wishlist and getting sharing it now. Experts over at O2 are suggesting only a limited supply will be available and they are going to be in big demand over Christmas.
Wishlists are great for people like me as well, who often worry about getting someone a present they are really going to love. Having a wishlist at hand means I know I am helping to fulfil a wish and giving them a present they will really enjoy.
Reuse, Upcycle and Create Decorations
There is no need to buy new every year, remember all the decorations you have already for years gone by? Get them out of storage and use them again.
If you really want to add something new, then think about picking a special new piece each year as a family. This way, all of your Christmas decorations will have real meaning and memories behind them.
Not wanting to reuse, but also don’t want to buy new? Then how about upcycling old ones or creating your own by hand? Both of which will often cost less and give you a great sense of satisfaction.
Make Time For Yourself
Of course, no one is going to have a special Christmas if they don’t make time for themselves. It is always a good idea to make some time for you.
Be that spending some wind down time with a glass of wine, or setting up a small pamper session, this will help you enjoy more of the Christmas season and feel more relaxed.
Of course, these are just a few things you can do to help make Christmas easier and special for you, there are many other hints and tips out there.
However, I do hope some of these will help give you a starting point towards the most wonderful Christmas this year.
What is your top tip for a special Christmas?
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Brilliant set of tips that everyone should use. I think that planning is the most important both for finances and what to buy.
Great tips. I start buying the odd present here and there from August which helps with cost and organisation.
I am so glad you have your own ways which work – I think getting into that rhythm and having a plan whatever it is helps a lot.
These are all awesome tips! I especially love the buying throughout the year, I should try that next year to avoid last minute shopper anxiety.
It is worth doing if you have the room to keep things as you can really buy from the sales.
I buy presents over 6 months to help spread the cost, this makes it much more manageable for me and makes my wages last.
That sounds like such a sensible way to do it – Christmas can really get expensive!
Fantastic ideas and tips
Great tips. I always make sure to buy throughout the year – it spreads the cost and reduces the stress and helps make Christmas so much more special.
It makes such a difference doesn’t it, having some sort of plan to help you through the season.
I’m going to be making my gifts as much as possible starting next year. I’ve just been gifted a cricut machine which makes this much easier!
Ohh have fun with your cricut machine – they seem to allow you to do so much!
Great suggestions.. I really enjoy reading this. I try to get things during the year. Setting up a wish list seems a great idea.
They can be really helpful when it comes to giving family members ideas!
I think this is going to be another one of those Christmas. People want to get together but deep in their hearts they are kinda afraid. I have done all my shopping on line, so received and wrapped. Great niece will spend day next month and we will do Christmas crafts for her to give out
It is definitely going to be interesting in some ways I think – I hope it allows some more people to get together at least.
I love these suggestions , I love the girls making handmade gifts for the grandparents
There is something very special about handmade gifts I always think.
Some lovely suggestions here, a friend of mine knitted a scarf for me last Christmas and it is one of my most treasured gift so making something for someone is really special
Oh I bet that was lovely, there really is something about handmade gifts isn’t there?
I think making handmade gifts or crafts make holidays more special!
They really do – there’s something extra special about them isn’t there?
The pandemic has compelled us to change the way we celebrate the holidays but that does not mean we cant make it special. these tips are really helpful
It has definitely changed so much, hasn’t it? But I think it has also made us more thankful in many cases as well.
I love these tips to help make getting ready for the holidays easier!
Fingers crossed they help some people get ready for the holiday season.
Handmade gifts are the best ways to make the holidays special. I’d appreciate handmade gifts more
There is something really special about getting a handmade gift isn’t there?
Some great suggestions and ideas for Christmas. Always good to have some new ideas
I hope they have helped you think of some new ones for yourself.
I love these suggestions and will definitely take some on board. Christmas is probbaly my favourite time of year and I love making it extra special for the kids. Saving through the year is such a good tip and I am always surprised how little you miss the money each week but how much it adds up to at the end of the year!
Aww, I bet when you have kids it is such an amazing time seeing them light up at the lights and the fun of the season!
Great tips, Christmas is always an expensive time of the year, I try to get bits throughout the year to make it easier
It is crazy how expensive it can get, isn’t it? Definitely having some sort of Christmas saving helps a lot.
These are all really great tips to make our Christmas special! I really enjoy reading this.
I am so glad you enjoyed it – I hope the tips help you out as well.
These are great and helpful tips. I myself saving my money for this occasion for buying food and gifts for everyone.
It can get so expensive with everything, can’t it? Some special savings definitely helps.
Love this post! I can say I do buy throughout the year for Christmas and I also stay within a budget every year. I too reuse boxes and gift bags to help save money!
I know some people who use the Christmas sales to buy for the following year, it is such a good idea if you have the room to store things.
I like the reuse ideas. I like to reuse gift bags to save money
They are such a good things to reuse! They are almost always in perfect condition anyway.
Thank you for these tips. I need to keep these in mind. I am starting to lug out the holiday decor.
I always ask about discounts before I buy!
Discounts are such a good thing to come across – I know sometimes if your buying online you can leave something in your cart and sometimes they will email a coupon if you have an account.
I save every month with Park Christmas Savings and use it for gift cards. I find M&S are my favourite gift cards. I also use Quidco, a cash back site for on line purchases
I do Park as well – I’ve been doing it since I could so it’s just habit now, I used to get a Steiff from them every year as a treat for myself, but of course, they don’t do the presents and hampers at the moment.
Very sensible suggestions. Christmas can get quite stressful without a little planning.
It really can be so stressful can’t it? Definitely needs some planning and thought put into it.