Are you trying to keep your costs down this Christmas?

‘IIIIIIITS CHRIIIIIIISTMAS!’ – that’s what you’re going to be hearing a lot in the run up to the festive few weeks before the 25^th of December, but just as common to hear, is ‘how am I going to afford this?’

For kids, the big red guy is a symbol of new toys, new games, and new adventures, but for some parents, who do their damned hardest, it’s a symbol of difficulty and panic trying to give your family the best holiday possible; so how can you keep the costs down over Christmas but still make it magical and memorable for the entire family?

Start by being as prepared as possible, and not every experience has to cost an antler and a hoof.

Try to be a bit savvy and know how much, at most, you can spend without sending you spiralling in debt or ruining the rest of the year for the sake of one day. If you stick, strenuously, to an affordable budget you will be able to make the most of every single pound and penny.

Once you have a budget, you can make a list of the essentials, and we mean items that are ESSENTIAL. Most of the memories from Christmas don’t revolve around shimmering baubles or super succulent turkeys, it’s about the time spent with the family so don’t waste all your money on those expensive materialistic products.

It’s not always best to get the most expensive turkey or pricey bottle of champers, it’s been shown over and over by blind-taste testers that cheaper meats and drinks can be just as, if not nicer, than the more expensive ones, so get enough to leave a nice taste in your families mouth rather than a sour one in your pocket.

Stockings are a wonderful way to utilise cheap gifts that can be purchased in advanced, they don’t have to be high in cost and can start Christmas day with a wonderful sense of excitement.

It’s never too early to start shopping or saving.

It’s easy to move on from Christmas, it comes and goes quicker than you can say ‘bah humbug’ but these first few weeks after the birth of Christ are the perfect time to pick up some truly great deals.

Grab your wrapping paper, your crackers, your cards, and even some of your presents in January making it less expensive when the next holly flowers start making people uncomfortable.

In 2018, the average home spent £718 on Christmas, which is a lot of money and one that most can’t cover with one month’s pay check, so start saving monthly even if it’s just £50 a month it will make a huge difference come December.

Start preparations in January, seek out the best deals in shops, and don’t overspend on necessities.

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