1. Reduce expectations of Presents
Always under promise presents. If you start promising a lot of gifts it becomes very pressured for you to spend money. Start working on this as soon as possible. If your children expect very little, they will be happy when they get a bit more than what you promised.
2. Eat In.
At Christmas time, restaurants often charge a premium. With drinks, eating out can become very expensive. Unless you really hate the idea of cooking and washing up, eat in. – It is easier to create an intimate atmosphere as well.
3. Look ahead.
Buy Christmas cards / decorations e.t.c in the new year sale. It may be too late for this year, but, buy the minimum and look out for bargains in the New Year.
4. Get a cheap flight and Leave
Sometimes to save money we need to spend it. Buy a cheap flight to somewhere warm and miss all the costs of Christmas (well most of them)
5. Get the Kids to Make the decorations.
If your children are really excited by Christmas and are driving you crazy with eagerness, keep them busy – ask them to make some home made crackers and decorations. Christmas Crackers are usually ridiculously overpriced for what you get. They can probably only get away with charging so much because it is a one off Christmas purchase.
