Eating delicious food, opening presents, spending a peaceful day with loved ones: there aren’t many days in the year we look forward to as much as we do Christmas. Unfortunately, all these festivities come at a cost. According to the Bank of England, the average household spends almost £740 more in December, which is 29% more than in a typical month. The good news is Christmas doesn’t have to catapult you into debt. With these tips, you can avoid maxing out your credit card and still have a great Christmas!
Budget, Budget, Budget
Nearly half of the British population do not set a Christmas budget and spend an average of £285 on presents. 32% of British people stated that they would buy presents using credit cards, while 12% plan to take out a loan. Setting a budget for each present and sticking to it will help you to avoid debt.
Don’t leave it to the last minute
Frantically running around on Christmas eve to buy presents and food is stressful and expensive. Prices are likely to be higher this time of year due to panic buying. Use the rest of the year to buy gifts. The prices are cheaper, and you can avoid the shopping chaos!
It’s a deal
Keep an eye open for sales and deals. There are numerous sales throughout a year. Boxing day is the perfect time to buy gifts. Money Saving Expert has some great deals and vouchers for popular brands.
Use up loyalty points
Most retailers have a loyalty points system. The more you shop, the more points you save up, and those points equal cash. Save your points through the year and only spend them during Christmas time. You might be able to get your shopping for free!
Make a No-Presents deal
If you are struggling financially, consider having a conversation with your loved ones about not buying presents this year. Christmas is about spending time with family and friends. You don’t need to spend money on presents to have a great time.
Use nature to decorate your home
Save money on decorations and the Christmas tree by heading down to your local forest and foraging for branches, pinecones, mistletoe, ivy and fallen trees. Check out this article and have a look on Pinterest for inspiration. Foraging is completely free and makes for good family fun, so get the kids involved and watch their excitement as they hang their handmade decorations!
Don’t Travel Abroad
Christmas is an expensive time to travel. Flight prices are inflated as airlines know it’s a popular time to visit family abroad. If you want to book a Christmas break, check out Last Minute and WOWcher for some good deals on UK breaks. Book a flight in January or February for a much cheaper price.
With the help of these tips, you can enjoy a debt-free Christmas. On behalf of SO Resi, we would like to wish everyone who celebrates, Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
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Written by the SO Resi In-House Team
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