"We must consult our means rather than our wishes.”
George Washington
I was in M&S Simply Food this week, there’s a new one that has opened nearby, and it is soooo pretty. Anyway, I digress. The point is, there was a massive section for Christmas. Already. In mid-September. Blimey.
Is it just me, or does the festive season sneak up on us faster every year? One minute we're soaking up the last days of summer, and the next, we're unboxing decorations and searching for gift ideas! But here’s a secret … Christmas (or if you’re like me, Chrismukkah) always comes. Every year. It is not a surprise! So why do we so often not budget or plan for it?
It might feel like there’s plenty of time, but believe me, now is the perfect moment to start planning (if you haven’t already). And if you haven’t quite managed to start saving for it yet, don’t worry - there’s still time to get things on track without all the stress.
Here’s my checklist of things you can start doing now to help cut costs and have a joyful festive season (whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or anything else) without the financial hangover:
➡️ Set a Realistic Budget & Stick to It
We all have that idea of the "perfect" Christmas, but chasing unrealistic perfection often leads to debt, or a really tricky start to the year. So instead, figure out how much you can comfortably afford. Break it down into categories - gifts, food, travel, decorations - and let the budget guide your plans. Ask yourself, "How can I make these festivities great AND within my budget?"
➡️ Ban Unnecessary Gifts
Take a moment to talk to family and friends about cutting back on gift-giving. Suggest doing a Secret Santa or donating to charity. It's not about eliminating gifts for your kids or partner, but it’s a chance to stop unnecessary spending on extended lists of friends and colleagues.
➡️ Manage Your Kids' Expectations
Kids often have big wish lists, but now’s a great time for an honest conversation. Help them prioritise what they really want, while teaching them the value of thoughtful gifting. This keeps both your budget and their expectations in check!
➡️ Spread the Cost & Start Saving Now
The average family spends over £800 on Christmas, often far too much to cover from just December’s income. If you haven't started saving, set aside a portion from your September, October, and November income that reflects what you are budgeting to spend on your festive celebration. Four months to go = 4 opportunites to save ... so why not set aside a quarter of your Christmas budget in a pot starting with September. And imagine, if you start in January next year (for Christmas 2025) then you only have to set aside one twelfth of your budget each month - that would ease things wouldn’t it?!
➡️ Sell What You Don’t Need
Take stock of what you have around the house—unused toys, gadgets, clothes. Selling these can give you extra cash to cover holiday expenses. Plus, decluttering before the holidays is always a good idea!
➡️ Take Advantage of Sales
Keep an eye on deals as they pop up in the run-up to Christmas, including Black Friday. Starting early means you can snag great prices without the last-minute rush or stress.
➡️ Make a Gift List & Track Your Spending
Write down who you’re buying for and set a spending limit for each. Track your spending along the way to avoid overspending or panic buys.
➡️ Do the same for your food and drink budget!
If you are like me and tend to host (and love to host), it can get pricey. Take the opportunity to chat to whomever is coming to celebrate with you, and share food buying (and cooking!) to keep costs down.
With just a little planning now, you can make sure this holiday season is both joyful and budget-friendly. It’s not too late to start saving and organising, so take that first step today and set yourself up for a festive season without financial stress.
Do you have any tips to add to these? Click on the link below to email me and let me know what works for you.
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