As Christmas approaches, many people are experiencing financial cramps coming from the thoughts of things like the gifts they have to buy for their loved ones. The present economic situation has already left many people in difficult financial conditions.
The good news is that there are ways you cannot only cut your Christmas costs but also save money. Below are some Christmas money saving tips you may find helpful.
1. Send cards instead of gifts
Christmas is not meant to financially overburden you. Instead, it is a time to show your loved ones that you’re thinking of them and sincerely care about them. You can simply do this by sending out beautiful Christmas cards to your family and friends. This will mean more than commercial gifts to them. You can further cut your cost by buying cards in bulk. Make sure to personalize the cards by including handwritten notes in them.
2. Use a cashback credit card
The benefit of using a cashback credit card is that you will get about five percent back on everything you buy with it. This can help you save a lot of money on your Christmas purchases. It is important, however, to pay your credit card bill every month to avoid undesirable interest rates that can be as high as 23 percent. You can set up direct debit to pay your credit card bill.
3. Use gift vouchers
Sift through your home for any unused gift vouchers. One study found that around six percent of all gift vouchers are never redeemed. You should make sure to use your gift vouchers and rewards earned on credit cards. Experts advise that you should convert reward points into vouchers, instead of cashing them. Doing so can save you a decent sum of money during Christmas.
4. Buy things online
Do you know shopping online is way cheaper than shopping in a bricks and mortar store? Of course the Christmas displays in the physical stores are beautiful; however, you can also find all those stuff online, and doing so can save you a lot of money. For example, Amazon, Depop, All Beauty etc. are the go-to online shops for Chiristmas shopping.
5. Take part in a Secret Santa gift exchange
One of the best ways to cut your Christmas gift costs is by taking part in a Secret Santa gift exchange. Simply draw an individual’s name and become his/her Secret Santa. Put a limit on the amount to spend. This way, you can center your kindness on one individual and getaway with purchasing gifts for many people.
6. Go to discount supermarkets
Festive foods can be very costly during Christmas, so it is best to go to discount supermarkets, instead of the posh ones. The good news is that there are many discount supermarkets that offer high quality products and delicacies, such as Christmas puddings, at very affordable prices.
7. Reserve your train seat beforehand
The price of train tickets skyrocket as Christmas approaches. You can save a good sum of money on your train ticket by booking your seat about 7-8 weeks in advance of Christmas.
8. Prepare Christmas gifts at home
Instead of spending a hefty sum of money buying Christmas gifts for your friends and family, you can save money by creating gifts at home. Simply search for DIY Christmas gift ideas on YouTube or Google, and you’ll find hundreds of amazing ideas. Remember, homemade gifts are more sentimental and personal, and they demonstrate how much you care about your loved ones. The bonus: a lot of dollars in saving.
9. Cut your cost of drinks
The price of alcohol shoots up during Christmas. You should, therefore, find ways to cut your cost of drinks. For example, before buying alcohol, you can use online tools to compare wine prices and deals. Buying in bulk can also save you money.
10. Cut the cost of holiday parties
If you are planning to organize a holiday party, you should think about ways of cutting the cost. One way of doing this is by asking people to share the cost. Do not shy away from asking people what they can contribute to the party. Some people may say they’d bring foods while others would agree to bring drinks. Remember, Christmas is a time to spend quality time with your loved ones, instead of trying to make material things appear perfect.
