Saving money this Christmas

Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, so it is important that we save cash wherever we can. Here are some effective money-saving tips that will help you out this season:

Look out for store discounts

It has been reported that the UK alone will spend £10 billion pound online this year, so the total for the world is set to be astronomical - and it’s easy to see why. Compared to shopping in store, there are a range of bargains and discounts to be had online.

Before I purchase anything online, I always do a quick search for voucher codes. I simply type the name of the store and ‘discount code’ into a search engine and I can usually find some great discounts. I’ve saved so much money over the years!

Like many other people, I am looking forward to all of the Black Friday savings to be had, although I don’t think I’m quite cut out to battle through the stores. Instead, I’ll be enjoying it online. Amazon have had some pretty great discounts in the past, so I am excited to see what they’ll have to offer this year.

DIY

Shop-bought cards and gifts can be expensive, bumping up your Christmas budgets. While you will inevitably have to fork out for gifts at some point, there are some great DIY options too that could save you some cash.

Not many people send Christmas cards nowadays, but it is a nice touch especially if you are sending them to people who live far away. If you have kids like me, you could get your little ones to hand make a few cards – your friends and relatives will love the personal touch.

I’m tempted to put my computer skills to the test and try a spot of card designing on my PC. The only problem is that our printer is not very good, so I’ll need to invest in a new one before I start designing – there’s no point in having a beautiful card that I can’t send to anyone!

As United Carlton is based in the UK, I know I can’t order from there, but I have been looking on their website to get some ideas on what printer to go for. They’re printing specialists so I know that they will only recommend the best.

As you know, I love to bake and cook. I’ve found this recipe for gingerbread men online. They look delicious and the ingredients will be much cheaper to buy than ready-made ones, plus I’m sure Noah wouldn’t mind giving me a helping hand! I may even dish these out to our friends and family as extra Christmas gifts!

Crafting with kids: Christmas cards and gifts

Your family and friends are sure to love the personal touch of receiving Christmas cards and gifts crafted by the kids, so why not start some projects now and get prepared for the festive season? It’s a great way to save money, and to get the whole family into the festive spirit.

Here are our top ideas for Christmas cards, gifts and wrap, so you can create the whole package.

1. Printed Christmas Cards

Christmas cards can be extremely expensive, but you and the kids can create fantastic cards the family will love using just your computer and printer.

Simply use a programme such as Microsoft Paint or Publisher and let the kids go wild with drawings, clip art and messages. You could even use your Christmas photos as part of your design. Let the kids use their imagination, and simply press print for a truly unique greetings card.

For professional results, purchase high-quality ink - CartridgeDiscount has low prices and free UK delivery to save you money, as well as card blanks and envelopes from your local craft store. Plain white designs are easiest to print on.

2. Christmas Wrap

You and your family can make personalised Christmas wrap by purchasing a roll of parcel paper and adding decorations. A quick, easy and effective option is stamping: create potato stamps, get the kids to finger-paint designs or purchase a pre-made stamp – NotOn The High Street has a great selection. Make sure to decorate a tag in the same way.

3. Homemade gifts                                                        

Home-baked treats are a fantastic option when it comes to creating gifts with the kids – fun to make and to eat, it’s something everyone will enjoy. The options are almost endless: you can ice cupcakes with festive designs, create gingerbread men, decorate cakes and more. Find inspiration and recipes at BBC GoodFood.                                      

Other inexpensive and easy options that are sure to bring a smile to loved ones’ faces are decorated photo frames featuring a photo of the family, diaries with kids’ drawings interspersed throughout, or painted mugs. Check out the kids’ Christmas craft kits available at Hobbycraft for more ideas.