With Christmas on its way there is lots of things to be organizing and worrying about.
Money is a big worry around Christmas time.
There are many different ways in which to help lower you stress levels at this time if year.
Prepare your present list sit down with pen and paper and write down the gift you need to get then using the internet or catalogs find the shop that sells that gift at the cheapest price or the one that does the best deal. This way you will get the best price for what you want but once the list is written and the prices set don't change them ( unless absolutely needed like they've sold out) this will let you know how much you will spend on presents and how much you will have left to spend on other stuff.
Even if you've prepared a Christmas present list for months it can still be hard to afford the prices of presents so you could talk to family and have a set amount of money you spend on everyone. Like wise if you have a big family for the adults a secret Santa kind of thing might be a good idea to do you each pick a names out of a hat and you only buy a present for that one person but everyone gets something from someone.
Make the most of vouchers. Most loyalty cards have a voucher scheme to there card, some give out vouchers to use next time you shop and others work on a point system you get so much money for so many points you have collected.
Switch supermarkets or check prices from supermarket to supermarket. Supermarkets are constantly in competition with each other so shop around there might be bulk deals or price reductions on things you need and could have got for a lot more staying in the same place. Use comparison websites to find out where you will get the best for you money.
Don't buy too much, at this time of the year when hosting for family and friends the worry is you'll run out of food. Don't worry that wont happen what will happen though is you will have loads of food left over that you cant reused, save or store.
Make your own gift tags.
Leave children at home while Christmas shopping. children will get excited with bright lights and the magic of the season everything they see they want. You'll end up buying more presents that 1, you planed to 2, you needed and 3, you could afford. You'll feel guilty looking at your child saying mummy i want that when actually they want everything in the store that remotely looks cool and fun save hassle and stress and leave them at home.
Get people to bring things with them, like food, drink and games. This will cut down the amount of money you spend and its also a way of people getting to eat what they want, not everyone will like what you provide and sometime having to have a food list for each guest can be exhausting and expensive. Let them bring things of there own it will make everyone feel like they're putting something in but the same goes for you if your going to a party take something along.
Don't always buy pre packed food sometimes buying food loose is cheaper than buying collectively. Not only is it some times cheaper it cuts down on waste with loose food you can buy the exact amount you need whereas packed food can have way more than you need and can use.
If you aren't going to be seeing someone until after the Christmas holiday wait and buy there present in the sales, its cheaper and they'll never know the difference.
Buy a fake Christmas tree they might not have the same appeal and feel that a real Christmas tree does but by buying a fake tree it lasts longer than the real one that lasts that Christmas holiday only. So if you really don't have the money don't keep spending money on real trees every year and buy a fake one that lasts years.
Check what decorations you already have don't go out and spend any money on decorations until you have checked your stash. There will probably be some really great decorations you brought last year that you have just forgot about them over the year.
Get crafty with the kids. Make decorations with them out of cardboard and paper and other stuff you have lying around even old decorations that need to be thrown away. This is not only a great way to get your children involved with Christmas but it also teaches them to make the best out of what they have. It will also be cheaper than buying expensive decorations that hold less meaning.
Give photos as gifts. For some people quality is better than quantity, something heartfelt and sentimental always goes down well.
Make your own Christmas presents, this doesn't have to be something that requires a set talent skill but something with meaning and love will matter more than the price of the gift. Baked goods is also a good present for friends and family something that requires effort and time that will enjoyed by everyone.
Save money by sending cards and parcels 2nd class by 18 december
Forget update christmas cards use christmassy emails instead it doesnt cost anything to send and it saves time as one letter can go to everyone instead of individual written ones.
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