So it's that festive time of year again and all the adverts are telling us how everything has to be perfect and every member of the family needs to be sent a new laptop (when did we start buying such expensive Christmas presents and also so many of them?).
These type of adverts leave many parents living in fear of how they can keep their little ones catered for whilst paying the ever increasing monthly bills. When many of us have already taken a hard salary cut or have gone down to one income to be at home looking after our little treasures we often feel no choice but to reach for the credits cards and spend, spend, spend. After all, if the boy in school who lives in the rough end of town is getting a new iPad then surely I should be able to provide this for my own children? Right? WRONG! Until they are teenagers they are happy just to have presents at Christmas and above all it's the quality time together with their parents at this time that builds the great memories they take with them into their adult lives. That said, I don't think any of us would like to get away with only filling their stockings with a couple of measly gifts. So can we have a perfect Christmas with out reaching for the cards? Well YES I believe we can and below are my tips on how to achieve this.
Tip #1 - Set up a Christmas Savings Account
Okay, so it may be a little late in the year to start this one but don't panic you can still survive this year and you can start in January. If you aim to put in £15 a month per child (I mean your own children) and £2 for every other person you need to buy for this should leave you with plenty come the beginning of December. For example, if you have 2 children and 10 other people to buy for you would put £50 away on the 30th of each month and then you would have £550 ready to spend on the first of December.
Tip #2 - Start buying early in the year
Again you can't really start this now but it's always worth picking up bargains and stocking fillers throughout the year when you see them.
Tip #3 -Buy second hand
You really can't beat this as a way to save money at Christmas. Children, especially when young, don't know and don't care as long as they have lots to open. There are many ways of doing this now thanks to the internet and social networking sites. Online auctions, nearly new online shops, Facebook groups and many more although in my experience you can't beat going round car boot sales to get some Christmas bargains.
Tip #4 - Swap toys with your friends
You probably have a house full of toys, games and books that your children are now bored of or have outgrown and guess what? So does every other mum so if's worth getting a load of friends together (maybe over some wine) and seeing what items you could swap with each other.
Top #5 - Don't listen to the TV adverts
You don't need to have a whole new three piece suite delivered to your door ready for your family's arrival and nor do you have to have a four bird roast, gallons of champagne and a laptop for your uncle. These adverts are designed to make us feel that the usual Turkey Christmas we have been celebrating for years just won't cut it anymore and you are inadequate if you don't pull out all the stops. Don't listen, they are just after your money.
Tip #6 Make your own gifts
Most people really appreciate the time and effort put into making gifts and why spend a fortune buying items like chilli oil or truffles when you can make your own.
Tip #7 Make your own deocorations
Kids love to get involved with the preperations for Christmas and what better way than to sit down as a family and make lovely decorations for the tree or the worlds longest paper chain to go around the room.
I hope you have found this useful, if you have any other tips or advice please leave a comment.
