10 Ways To Make Christmas Cheaper
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A little bit of forward planning could really make Christmas a lot less expensive. One thing that I am really good at is planning ahead. For birthdays, Christmas, and holidays I am usually super organized with gifts and cards etc.
So, here are a few tips you can use this year to make next Christmas that little bit cheaper.
10 Ways To Make Christmas Cheaper
1. Re-use Gift wrap, Gift bags and Christmas Cards
When I was a kid my mum used to save all our Christmas cards and put them away with the Christmas decorations. Come December, she would get them out and we would cut them into gift tags instead of buying them. I absolutely loved doing this and it’s one of the little family traditions I remember from my childhood. It saves money and should keep the kids occupied for an hour or two.
While kids may rip all the wrapping paper they touch to shreds, adults are usually a lot more careful. Much of this could be neatly folded away and used for next year.
I genuinely can’t remember the last time I actually bought a gift bag. I save and reuse ALL of them. Just remove the old tag and add a new one. If you do need to buy them Card Factory is by far the cheapest place to go.
Related Posts:
Eco Friendly Christmas Wrapping Ideas
Turn Your Primark Paper Bag Into Free Christmas Giftwrap
2. Try Using Cardyard
If you receive any gift cards that you aren’t likely to use this Christmas you could try using Cardyard.
As well as buying discounted gift cards with Cardyard, you can also sell them for a small admin fee. A quick and easy way to make money from something you wouldn’t use.
Consider either putting the money towards something you’d actually like or stashing the cash away to go towards next Christmas.
Or exchange for gift cards that could pay for Christmas – for example, swap an iTunes voucher for a Sainsbury’s one.
You can find out all about cardyard here.
3. Review Your Christmas Gift List
Make a resolution to limit the number of people you buy for. There are a few people I’ve bought for this year and thought, ‘Hmm, are we just giving for the sake of it?’ I think we probably are, just because we always have. I have resolved to speak with them in the new year and stick to only buying gifts for really close friends and family.
Related post – how to save for Christmas when you struggle to save money
4. Don’t be ashamed of Re-gifting
There are many reasons people may want to re-gift; duplication, allergies or just being given something you really won’t use.
Make life easier by popping a post-it note with who gave it to you before stashing it away for next year. My memory can be terrible so I find this helps avoid the embarrassment of giving it back to the person who gave it to me! You could also consider selling unwanted gifts on eBay or Facebook.
5. Buy Toy & Beauty Advent Calendars In The Sales
Quite a few people have said to me this year that they wanted to get their child a Lego advent calendar but couldn’t justify spending so much money on it so close to Christmas.
These types of ‘Toy’ Advent Calendars will go mega cheap in the January sales but you might also spot them later on in the year too.
Buy this now and put it away ready for next year.
6. Buy Wrapping Paper, Cards & Gift Bags In The Sales
With the expense of Christmas, I realise not everyone will be able to afford to go out and buy all of their gifts for next year in the January sales.
That said if you are going to buy anything I would recommend gift wrap and cards. They go extremely cheap in the January sales and at least you’ll have one thing ready and sorted for next year.
Last year I picked up wrapping paper at just 15p a roll!
7. Start A Christmas Cupboard
One way to make Christmas cheaper is to have a cupboard or drawer to start adding Christmas presents throughout the year. When you see a bargain, grab it and hide it away. Make a note on your phone of what you’ve purchased and who it is for.
Even if it’s just freebies or items to regift, it’s a start. I usually start looking seriously for Christmas presents from July onwards, especially as I like to shop second-hand for some gifts so it can take a bit longer to find what I’m looking.
8. Buy Second-Hand Gifts And Clothes
Anyone that knows me will know that I’m pretty passionate about buying second-hand. I think buying second-hand toys is easiest when children are young, but it can be done at any age, especially as there are loads of brand new, still-in-the-box toys out there.
As well as being great for the environment, shopping second-hand can also save you a lot of money. The majority of gifts I bought for Christmas 2021 were second hand including pretty much everything for my daughter and my Mum.
I also buy second-hand Christmas clothes such as Christmas jumpers and dressing-up costumes.
9. Shop For Yellow Stickers On Christmas Eve (and before!)
Did you know that Christmas Eve is one of the best nights of the year to go looking for yellow stickers? Since all supermarkets close on Christmas Day, and many now shut on Boxing Day too, they will do their best to get rid of short-dated, ready-to-eat foods so they don’t have to be thrown away.
This means you could find turkeys costing just a few pounds and vegetables down to a few pennies.
You might also find some yellow sticker bargains in the run-up to Christmas. For example, many supermarkets launch their Christmas buffet ranges in late November but people often won’t buy this type of food until right before Christmas, mean lots of it ends up in the reduced section.
While I would advise leaving your entire Christmas shop until Christmas Eve in the hope of getting it cheap, it can be a great way to stock up the freezer for January.
M&S Yellow Sticker Christmas Food Haul
The Big Christmas Eve Reduced Shop
Supermarket Reduction Times: The Best Times For Yellow Sticker Shopping
10. Make Christmas Cheaper – Get Free Christmas Food
How To Get Free Food For Christmas
As well as looking out for yellow stickers, another way to make Christmas cheaper is to find free and discounted food using shopping apps.
These apps often have free and heavily discounted food, especially in the run-up to Christmas. All you do is choose your offer from the app, buy the product and then upload your receipt for a full or partial refund.
One year I managed to get £120 of food and drink for £40 by Couponing My Christmas Food Shop. My couponing tips were even shared in several newspapers later that year: Mum Feeds Family On Budget.
Even if there is food you wouldn’t eat yourself, some items could be used to make hampers for others. One year I made my Dad a huge chocolate hamper using freebie items from these apps and I’ve also given family members cider and other drinks that have been free.
Best Free Food Apps
Shopmium Review: Why I Love The Shopmium App
Checkoutsmart Review-How To Use The Checkoutsmart App
GreenJinn Review: Using the GreenJinn App
How To Make Christmas Cheaper: Final Thoughts
Christmas can be a tough time for those with money worries.
Remember it’s okay to cut back from previous years, buy second-hand and do as much as you can to help make Christmas more affordable for you and your family.
What To Do When You Have No Money For Christmas – this post takes a look at some of the things that could help, especially if you have debts or need extra support.
