Not started your Christmas shopping yet? Don’t panic, you have still got time to get it sorted without blowing a fortune.
Too
many people feel the pressure at this time of year to spend money they don’t have,
so first of all draw up a budget on how much you can realistically spend
without going into the red.
There
are plenty of ways to show that you care without splashing out. For instance,
think about writing or making a card with your favourite memory of that person.
Or why not invite them over to your home for a homemade meal and promise a good
catch-up instead?
Here
are some other last minute ways to cut costs this year:
Agree a budget
We
could be a little bit late in the day for this one but it is worth checking
with people who you’re close to.
Simply
suggest spend limits among your immediate family and close friends so that you
know that you will all be spending the same amount of money on each other – and
remember no cheating!
Homemade hampers
This
is a great present to give to anyone who likes their food. Just make sure
you’ll be able to hand deliver the gift, as it can be expensive to post.
Have
a good look at home to see if you already have a suitable box or basket, if not
you can order these from Amazon or pick them up from DIY shops. Depending on
your budget pick and mix from the items listed below – adding anything you know
they like – and decorate with a festive ribbon.
-
Bottle
of fizz
-
Bottle
of red or white wine
-
Cheese
-
Mince
pies
-
Christmas
pudding
-
Clementines
-
Crackers
-
Biscuits
-
Chocolate
-
Nuts
-
Marmalade
or jam
Framed photograph
Sometimes
the simplest ideas are the best. With the rise of Facebook and iPhones, fewer
people print their photos. So just pick a nice photo of you and the recipient,
print and find a frame. It’s a lovely gift to receive and won’t cost you more
than £10.
Homemade Christmas
If
you’re feeling creative and have some time on your hands, try making your own presents
to keep costs down. Here are a few ideas that are quick and easy to make:
-
Cupcakes
are always a winner – if your kitchen isn’t very well equipped with the baking
essentials, ask friends and families to see if you can borrow what you need
-
Gingerbread
biscuits are fun to make and you can easily get hold of a wide range of cutters
and decorations to really get creative
-
Chocolate
truffles are perfect for the chocoholic in your life, remember to warn them if
you use a recipe that uses alcohol especially if children are likely to be
around
Secret Santa
Ok,
so it might be a little late in the year to put this in place now – but worth
checking if you have a disorganised family!
Secret
Santa is a great way to keep cost down in large families. All the names simply
go into a hat, and one is drawn out by each person – you can also set a price
limit such as £10. This strategy means
that everyone still gets a present and is also hugely time-saving as you only
have one present to buy and wrap – it’s a win win!
Shopping Online
If
you have specific items to buy, it’s usually the case that they’ll be cheaper
somewhere online. Use an online shopping engine, such as Kelkoo, to find the cheapest
retailer – just make sure that you check last delivery dates.
You
can get free next day Amazon delivery if
you sign up for a trial as an Amazon Prime Customer. This means that you can
order a number of gifts up until 7pm on the 23rd December and not
pay for postage.
Target the sales
If
all else fails and you’re hitting the high street, make sure you don’t head
into town without a plan, as you’re sure to spend more than you would like and
liable to forget people.
Make
a list of who you need to buy a gift for and most importantly set an overall
budget. Target shops that have already started seasonal sales, and don’t forget
charity shops and the discount retailers like TK Maxx and Matalan, which will
often throw up a bargain or two!
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