Whether times are good or bad, Christmas can be hard on a budget. Between the tree ornaments, decorations and gifts, the pressure to spend a fortune at Christmas grows every year and with the busy nature of the end of year holiday season, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the expense of it all.
Online shopping
Why not find the perfect Christmas gift for your family and friends online this year? Online shopping is a cost efficient and a great time-saving method that will help avoid temptation, long queues and make it easier to price-check on certain items. Watch out for stocktake and online flash sale events ahead of Christmas day. Find great deals during our Biggest Online Shopping Night (#BOSN) on the 26th October to take advantage of the massive sales and discounts we have on offer this year with Dotti, Portmans, Jacqui E, Lark Australia, Little Miss Marie, Hip Kids, Baby Paws, Adairs, Ababy Superstore, Daisy and Moose and BabyDino all on board!
Reuse Christmas décor
Cut down on Christmas decorations by reusing previous year’s decorations and ornaments. Most Christmas decorations can be used year after year, but if you need new ornaments or Christmas knick and knacks, then why not let the children make them this year. It will be much more fun, the ornaments will have more meaning and it will cost less! Also opt to purchase fake Christmas trees that will last for years rather than a live tree that will die out in a couple of weeks.
Make a budget
Set a Christmas budget to set financial limits, before you start delving into gifts and décor. Knowing where the limits lie will help you avoid the financial burden Christmas may permit. By setting out spending goals and tracking ongoing expenses before the Christmas season hits you will be ready for a debt-free Christmas!
Budget cooking
Cheat on preparing certain meals or snacks by purchasing pre-made meals such as salads and pre made desserts at your local supermarket or baker. If you don’t have hundreds of guests, a Christmas centrepiece such as a simple roast chicken can reduce the stress and cost of the big day. Seasonal sides like mash or roast vegetables are a great affordable and delicious option. Switching supermarkets is also a great option to significantly reduce cost such as making the most of discount supermarket chains like Aldi. These supermarkets will stock up on good quality festive delicacies such as puddings and gingerbread for a fraction of the price in comparison to regular supermarket stores.
Homemade gifts
Christmas gifts don’t have to be pricey to be appreciated. Homemade gifts always make for a special impression and create a priceless sentimental value. They are a fantastic and fun way of keeping Christmas costs down and allow you and your family to dive into fun craft projects that they can put together themselves. Scrapbooking, Christmas cards and wreaths are all great personalised gifts for your family and loved ones this year for Christmas.
Secret Santa
Secret Santa is a fun way to set a budget and secretly draw names for who needs to buy for whom. This way each person only needs to buy one present, minimising the stress and cost for buying for multiple people in the family or group of friends.
