Make Christmas work for you

We’re officially into the double digits countdown to Christmas Day so the Christmas costs are sure to start mounting up.

Thankfully there are lots of ways you can get organised to share some of the cost and get ahead on the big day itself. Planning ahead will also allow for more thoughtful giving with less environmental impact. Not to mention the fact your stress levels are likely to thank you for it when you get to Boxing Day without the stressful eye twitch many mums and dads develop

Go for volume not gimmick

You get way more chocolate for your money if you ditch the plastic boxes.

While lots of the supermarkets have bargains on big sharing boxes of chocolate, don’t be duped – you get a lot more chocolate for your money if you buy big bars, which also have the wow factor. Not to mention the fact there’s less plastic and less wrapping in the bars. Lots of supermarkets have labels underneath the price that have a ‘price per 100g’ sign on them.

Taking a look at these will help you get way more chocolate for your money if you ditch the plastic boxes.

Don’t fall for ‘offers’

It’s not just chocolate to keep an eye on though, lots of brands promote ‘Christmas’ specials when they can be just more expensive versions with less volume so shop around and do your homework before you step foot into the ‘seasonal’ aisle.

You can have a look online or there are social media pages where people post about bargains.

Talk about spending with the grown ups in your family

Most of us already have too much stuff in our homes – the last thing we need is more.

Now is the time to have conversations with your nearest and dearest – if you leave it to the last minute, you’ll saddle yourself with more gifts to buy, so agree with friends, and colleagues not to buy gifts this year.

Another green idea is to give the gift of time. Creating vouchers that ensure you will plan a walk or a lunch together or a fun activity.

Most of us already have too much stuff in our homes anyway – the last thing we need is more objects in cupboards and drawers so have those chats now to save you and the people you care about money and stress.

Just buy for little ones

Only buy for the kids to save everyone’s cash.

No matter the size of your family too, it’s worth agreeing to only buy for the kids to save everyone’s cash or agree each of you buy for one named adult relative only.

Avoid gifts that won’t last and try to choose gifts that are useful but also a present for the planet too. For example, a vegetarian food hamper or soap bars instead of bottle sets.

There are also plenty of ways you can make environmental choices when it comes to things like stockings too – which can often be filled with plastic.

Don’t spend too much

Definitely set a budget – to help avoid getting into debt for unwanted Christmas gifts.

Plan what you can afford and stick to it. Sign up to voucher sites too and make sure you make the most of your supermarket loyalty club cards.

There are plenty of money and time saving Christmas ideas here:

• One Home ideas for Christmas

Make money from what you don’t want

There’s still time to make money to help with the cost of Christmas too by having a clear out. Not only will this create more space – but by selling what you don’t need or haven’t used since last Christmas and put the money towards the budget this year.

Think about going second hand – there are lots of bargains to be had on preloved sites so shop around or ask friends with older kids if they’d like some cash for the dinosaur or Pokemon toys they are now far too ‘cool’ to play with.

Make gifts rather than buy them

Finally, think about cooking and crafting ideas. It’s a great ‘mindful’ activity, and the gifts can be tailored to your loved one’s specific taste.

Whether you’re a knitter who has the time to make a scarf or whether you decide to make some chocolate brownies or simply some festive themed shortbread. Gifts don’t have to be bought and people appreciate the effort that goes into something home made.

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