Christmas on a budget

Food and drink

• Try to plan ahead and buy only what will realistically be eaten. Think about what normally gets thrown away, make a plan, and stick to it when you go shopping. Shop around and use local markets to find the best value products. 
• Check out affordable supermarket offers and shop in advance where possible. 
• Find coupons and vouchers and use them where you can.
• Make food last longer by wrapping up your leftovers and putting them in the fridge for the next day.
• Remember that the shops are only closed for one day. You don’t have to fill every available space in your cupboards and fridge, and can always top up on Boxing Day if you run out of anything.

Decorations

• Get the children involved in helping to make decorations.
• If your decorations are looking tired from over use, give them a bit of sparkle with art and crafts, glitter and glue.
• Consider making your own crackers - fill them with things you really want rather than the usual dust collectors.
• Wreaths can be fun to make – all you need is a wire coat hanger, a bit of ivy or holly, and some ribbon to decorate it.
• If you want to send Christmas cards, have a look in local discount stores and charity shops for good value. Make a list in advance so you know how many you want to send.

It is important that Christmas is not really about who got what and how much it cost, it is about spending time with loved ones and appreciating family life.  However, this can also be a time of families spending more time with each other than they are normally used to.  This can create conflict too.  Please read our tips on surviving Christmas for advice.