Although it’s nearly over, we all love the festive season – but we do not always love what it does to our bank accounts. From the Christmas decorations and food to all the parties, there can be a lot of expense involved. Here are four tips for saving money you can use next Christmas without turning into Ebenezer Scrooge!
Save throughout the year
One of the best ideas is to use the rest of the year for building up your festive fund. Putting aside anything from £25 to £50 a month towards Christmas will give you a war chest to spend when the time comes.
Set a festive budget
If you do not want your festive spending to get out of control, it can be sensible to set yourself a strict budget. Start by working out a total amount that can be afforded and then divide it up between the different needs. This means a certain amount for food, for presents, for socialising and for decorations like pre-lit Christmas trees.
Spread out your Christmas shopping
Gifts are usually one of the bigger expenses, but you do not have to leave them until the last moment. Spreading your festive gift shopping throughout the year will spread the cost too – and will also let you make the most of sales.
Opt for family presents
Rather than buying each person in a family a separate present, why not get a single-family gift. This could be anything from a streaming service subscription to a board game.
You can do the festive season in style without spending more than you can afford, so why not give these tips a go next year?
