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Do you want to have a special, stylish Christmas and not break the bank? Yes, it is possible and yes it can indeed be fashionable and stylish. But don’t just trust me on this Today’s blog post is a guest post by Alex Johnson from Inspire a Better Life. I loved his tips and I am sure you will, too.
There’s no doubt that Christmas can be an expensive time of year. Between buying presents, going on holidays and, of course, hosting parties for your friends and family, the cost of Christmas can quickly add up.
Here are some easy ways to have a fabulous Christmas for less.
Try having an “Eat What You Have” week
This first idea is a great way to both save money and prepare for the weeks ahead. An “Eat What You Have” week means exactly what it sounds like; for one week, challenge yourself to skip your regular grocery shopping and cook with what you already have at home.
This exercise has several benefits. Firstly, it will help you to clear up lots of pantry, fridge and freezer space that would otherwise remain unusable.
Secondly, it forces you to get creative and try new recipe ideas to make use of the ingredients you have on hand. Lastly, the money you would have spent on a week’s worth of groceries can now be put towards your Christmas preparations.
Only buy what you need
Catering for groups can be stressful and filled with uncertainty. Even if all your guests have RSVPed properly, it’s still difficult to know exactly how much food and drink you’ll need.
While Christmas leftovers can be a treat, many people end up throwing these out after a few days. To avoid food waste and cut down on unnecessary costs, try using an online catering tool to get a better idea of how much you should really be buying.
The NSW EPA’s handy portion calculator is a great way to estimate roughly how much food you’ll need for the number of people at your gathering.
Share the work load
Even if you’re the one hosting Christmas lunch or dinner, there’s absolutely no reason to do all the work yourself. Ask some of your friends or family to bring a plate to share – chances are they’ll be more than happy to help, and you’ll also end up with a wider variety of food and drinks to enjoy on Christmas Day. It’s a win-win!
Shop smarter
Shopping for presents can be a real headache, and the holiday season puts extra pressure on consumers to spend up. If you’re looking to celebrate Christmas for less, consider imposing a spending limit on gifts exchanged between your family members and close friends.
If you already know what they want, check clearance outlets and shop online to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Many stores will also price match their competitors, which is an easy way to save at least 5-10% on products you were already going to buy.
For those who don’t have anything specific on their wishlists, try browsing op shops and secondhand stores to find something unique – and affordable – that they’ll love.
If you’ve got young children, you’ve probably noticed that many of the toys, clothes and accessories you’ve bought them have fallen out of use. Either resell or donate these items to clear up space – and perhaps earn some extra cash at the same time.
When it comes to decorations, think long-term
Christmas-themed decorations are everywhere, but avoid the temptation to buy something solely for its festive print. Instead of buying more rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, use paper with non-seasonal designs (or even plain brown paper tied up with string – a favourite of mine). This will prevent unnecessary spending and allow you to use any excess for different occasions throughout the year.
This strategy unfortunately doesn’t apply to Christmas decorations. For some families, the traditional Christmas tree adorned with festive decorations is a non-negotiable part of the holiday season.
The best approach here is to invest in quality decorations that will remain stylish for years to come. Once they’ve been used, pack and store your decorations carefully (paying special attention to fragile items) so you can use them again and avoid the endless cycle of buying more decorations every year.
If necessary, consider stocking up on Boxing Day for heavily reduced prices on next year’s Christmas supplies.
So there you have it. By following these easy tips, you can enjoy a fabulous Christmas for a lot less this year!
Alex is a 23 year old lover of life, brunch & adventure. After moving to Sydney when finishing a journalism degree, he began his blog Inspire A Better Life to positively influence others to get out there and see all life has to offer. Join Alex as he discovers this life one day at a time, documenting his thoughts and other along the way!
What are your frugal yet fashionable tips on having a stylish Christmas? What do you do to create a fabulous event on less?