ChristmasHolidaysMoney & Finances

Prepping For A Purse-Friendly Family Christmas

With the cold winter weather beginning to set in, thoughts are beginning to turn to all things Christmas. December is usually the most expensive month of the year, especially when you have a family, but financial struggles may be holding you back from putting on the best holiday experience. Luckily, there are many tips and tricks that you can utilize to plan the perfect purse-friendly family Christmas, and it couldn’t be easier to get started today! So, if you would like to find out more about how you can save money whilst still organizing the most magical holiday season yet, then read on to uncover some of the best cost-effective festive steps that you can follow now.

Attempt All Things DIY

One of the best concepts that you can explore in order to save money this festive season is DIY. DIY (or do it yourself) is the act of making or doing something completely independently, without the need for any outside or professional assistance. A DIY style can be utilized in many different situations, including the all-important act of gift-giving. Giving a gift to a friend or family member can make you both feel good, but offering up a thoughtful homemade alternative to your usual off-the-shelf option can make it more personal and appreciated, too. There are so many DIY gift ideas, from lovely knitted festive jumpers to home decor, so don’t be afraid to do some research into what different affordable options are available for you to utilize today! Not only is DIY über effective in the area of gift-giving, but it can also be a great help when it comes to decorating your home. As soon as December arrives, homestead across the world will no doubt be digging around at the back of wardrobes and underneath beds attempting to find those trusty Christmas decorations that have made an appearance every festive season for the past 15+ years. Rather than waste your time in this manner, or even have to head out to the store to invest in a new set, why not explore the DIY method? Crafting your very own Christmas decorations means that they’re certain to be as unique as ever, as it’s super cost-effective when you use basic materials like paper and card. You can find so many different written and video-based tutorials online that detail thousands of different homemade Christmas decorations that you and your little ones can create, and you needn’t have to spend a fortune in the process! Some of these DIY tutorials even aim to utilize materials or ingredients that you already have inside your property to keep the cost as minimal as ever, so be sure to search around before making any decisions.

Purchasing The Perfect Presents

Sometimes it’s not always easy to use DIY when sourcing the perfect presents, especially if you are prepared to spend a little money to get something more suitable, but luckily there are many money-saving tips that you can utilize to cut the cost completely. The earlier that you are able to begin buying gifts the more likely you are to save, as the months before Christmas often encourage a price hike that bumps up the usual cost of the most popular products or items. If you know which store you would like to purchase a present from for a loved one, then it’s a great idea to scour the internet beforehand in order to identify any potential discount codes or vouchers that you can use to save some cash. Certain discount opportunities can save as much as 50% on your usual price tag, so it’s really worth the effort. Though it’s tempting to go for big brands when buying gifts, avoiding all known names during the festive season will help you to maintain a positive financial position. It’s a great idea to explore some independent stores and small family businesses that can offer more individual and thoughtful gifts, as you can often barter and get a discount, or at least know that your money is going to fund another family’s Christmas rather than flying straight to an already rich businessman’s bank account. Independent businesses can usually provide more suitable unique options such as sweet wedding Christmas cards by MagnetStreet that you can pop in the post to send to your nearest and dearest.

Cooking Up A Festive Feast

One of the most important features of Christmas is the huge festive feast that your whole family gathers around to devour on the big day, but this can genuinely cost a fortune to finance. The average price of a traditional turkey dinner is surprisingly more than you might think, and this is even before you add all of the trimmings! However, there are several inventive ways that you can help to cut the cost of your Christmas dinner without having to forfeit taste, too. First of all, though turkey may be a tradition, avoid it. Turkey is rarely consumed on any other day of the year, usually, because it’s A.) very dry and B.) very expensive. These two things just won’t do when you’re seeking to achieve the perfect purse-friendly festive season, so what other options are on offer? Trusted chicken can be less than a quarter of the price, whilst offering a favor that your family is likely to know and love, whilst gammon and steaks will be equally appreciated. Other meats usually get no attention during the Christmas period, so you should find that you receive a healthy discount for your swap! Next, come the trimmings, including a whole host of vegetables, potatoes, and potential a few pigs in blankets too. Rather than spending big bucks on whatever fresh vegetables you can find in the run-up to Christmas Day, it’s much more cost-effective to invest in some quality frozen alternatives. Frozen vegetables are usually much cheaper, yet they taste just as good as the process of quick freezing locks in flavor. There are so many tempting treats that you may wish to indulge in over the festive season, as grocery stores usually release a wide range of ready-made meals, sides, and desserts to help busy people save time. If you do not need to save time then you simply shouldn’t shell out on these expensive treats, as you can make them from scratch yourself for far less money.

Utilize Post Christmas Sales

The best trick of all when it comes to saving money throughout the festive season involves utilizing the post-Christmas sales. As soon as the 25th is over and done with, stores across the world will start to offer discounts and reduced prices on many products and services, and there’s no time like the present to grab yourself a bargain. Buying so far in advance might seem a little ridiculous, but when you see how much money you could save post-Christmas sales can easily become a personal passion. One of the best items to buy during these sales is Christmas decorations, as these can go for as little as a quarter of their original price! Clothing stores and big brands usually create a buzz around their post-Christmas sale situation, and you can easily find a real bargain if you’re ready and willing to fight through the chaos. As long as you don’t invest in anything food based that has an expiry date then all is well, as you can simply store your super affordable decorations and gifts under your bed or in another weatherproof location to be taken out at a later date when the Christmas bells begin to jingle again. Try and find a local department store or shopping center that doesn’t attract a large number of guests, as popular sites will be completely overrun with manic shoppers ready to fight to find the best bargain – you needn’t take it this seriously as it isn’t worth getting angry or upset over, so it’s best to visit a different store if you find that there are too many customers jostling for space.

Prepping for a purse-friendly family Christmas has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the many amazing tips and tricks that have been detailed above. The festive season can be such a joyous experience for all, but having the nagging thought that you simply can’t afford such fun can totally ruin your time. Implementing just a few of the many steps above can be of real benefit when it comes to keeping greater control over your purse strings, without even feeling as though you’re missing out on your usual favorites! DIY is the perfect choice to cut costs whilst still focusing on a personal and individual experience, whilst shopping in the post-Christmas sales can save you hundreds if you’re ready to dive straight in. Many people are struggling financially at this moment in time, but you needn’t let that stop you and your loved ones from enjoying the best festive season ever.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

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Jess Benoit

Jess is a homeschooling mama of 3, wife, gamer, Whovian, Nerd

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