It’s ramping up isn’t it, all the spend this and spend that Christmas commercialism. I know people are shopping away already without much thought for making savings, but really this is the time for planning. There is so much we can do to spend less. ( Do check out my list of Frugal UK Blogs for so much more inspiration!
What you must do before you start Christmas Spending
Here are 5 frugal things you can do BEFORE you start spending on Christmas
1. Do consider making a homemade advent calendar this year there are some lovely options. They usually have a Lego one and at £50 fo the 2 it is well pricey!
2. I have been up the loft to see what we have from last year in the way of wrapping paper and gift bags. No point buying more if we already have some! If you don’t have any though pause before you buy and have a read here of my post on how to save money on wrapping paper
3. Do try and have that converstaion- you know the one about a gift amnesty, or a price limit. If you need to cut down and spend less this year there will probably be someone else who needs to also. Maybe you could suggest this?
4. Define your budget. Knowing how much you can afford to spend will give focus to your gift buying. Sitting down and working out your Christmas budget is time very well spent.
5. Do pause too before you book a pantomime or special Santa experience – you could consider visiting a local pantomime rather than a big theatre one? Your kids will still get a great giggle and you will save a fortune. Nativities and carol concert, winter walks followed by hot chocs, epic board games and visits to friends are all free and fabulous ways to enjoy Christmas; cost doesn’t have to come into it. So get some good things organised but keep a real eye on where you can make savings.
I hoe these thoughts help you pause before you spend!
The Fabulously Frugal Things I’ve Done This Week Linky rules:
We’d love you to join in with us by sharing what frugal and thrifty things you’ve been up to this week – whether it’s an Instagram picture (#5frugalthings), a blog post or even a video. Just add your link to the linky at the bottom of this post.
You don’t have to share five things you’ve done, anything thrifty or frugal that you’ve been doing is perfect.
We’d like to make this a great little community linky so it would be brilliant if you could comment on a couple of the other blog posts linked up. We’ll make sure that we comment on all posts and if you have a Pinterest friendly image then we’ll Pin your post to one of our boards too.
Please let your readers know that you’re linking up with us by adding a little line to the bottom of your post like this one: I’m linking up with Cass Emma and Becky in this week’s Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week linky. ##Oh and do poover and have a look at my best budgeting tip for Christmas!
Totally agree that working out a Christmas budget is time well spent! So many people go overboard and then spend a couple of months paying everything back otherwise, which means they have to work a lot more hours to account for going over budget. Time well spent indeed!
I love number 5 the most. We love being indoors at Christmas time (though I do try to go to one Carol Service and visit at least 2 people who don’t get out much). Other than that, we love staying indoors and entertaining ourselves. Board games do it for me!
Thanks for sharing your frugal ideas and giving us the push to ‘have that talk’. Have a great weekend and a fabulous week ahead.
I definitely agree on setting a budget, it’s so easy to get carried away! We will definitely be making the most of number 5, good tip on looking for a local panto too! We haven’t been to one in years because we have had tiny children, but this is the first year I think we might manage it together! Have a lovely week. x