Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but there’s no getting away from it — it’s an expensive one too. Between presents, food, drink and filling the stockings, the costs add up fast. The good news is that a few small changes can make a real difference to your final bill. Here are 13 practical money saving tips for Christmas that are easy to put into action, whatever your budget.
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1. Reduce Your Gift List
Has your Christmas gift list grown over the years — friends of the kids, cousins you sometimes see, neighbours, colleagues and more? Consider a ‘Secret Santa’ or ‘kids only’ approach within your family or friend group. It can really help keep costs down when you have a large extended family, and one substantial gift is often more appreciated than lots of small ones. It also frees up your time, with fewer presents to buy and wrap. Agreeing a price limit for each present helps everyone stick to a sensible budget too.
2. Check Where You Can Earn Rewards
Take a look at what cashback cards or apps you already use, and make the most of any loyalty schemes running at the shops and supermarkets you visit regularly. These offers and vouchers can genuinely help reduce the cost of both gifts and food over the festive season.
3. Have Fun with Homemade Gifts
Making gifts together is a lovely activity for kids, and homemade presents always feel that bit more personal. One year, a simple pattern found online turned into an afternoon of sewing and stuffing fabric owls and birds for the cousins — a fun project and a memorable gift in one.
4. Use Up Vouchers
If you have loyalty vouchers from supermarkets or other shops, put them towards your Christmas shopping. It’s also worth checking for any gift vouchers left over from last Christmas — many of us forget about these during the year, and they often come with an expiry date.
5. Spread Your Spending
Once you’ve worked out your Christmas spending — gifts, food or both — plan it out rather than leaving it all to the last minute. Many families do one big “Christmas food shop” in the final days before the big day, but there’s no need. Pick up a few non-perishables (tins, festive treats, drinks) in each weekly shop in the months beforehand, and you’ll have a ready stock of essentials by the time Christmas arrives, leaving just the perishables for closer to the day.
6. Save on Wrapping Paper
Reuse paper from previous years if you’ve kept any, or get creative with cheaper materials. Take a look at our Christmas wrapping ideas for simple, stylish ways to wrap a gift. A habit worth starting: keep the best of your wrapping paper and pack it away with the decorations to reuse next year.
“I use brown paper and cheap red ribbon for a rustic look.” – Tara G.
7. Reuse or Make Gift Bags
Save gift bags from this year and pack them away with your decorations for next year.
“Make gift bags out of cereal boxes — cover with paper and add ribbon handles by punching holes in the box.” – Perfecthousewife
8. Make Homemade Cards and Gift Tags
A pack of construction paper and some glitter costs less than most packs of shop-bought cards, and the kids will love getting creative. You can even save last year’s cards and cut out the nicest parts to decorate new ones. For gift tags, take a look at these easy homemade ideas.
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9. Make Christmas Decorations
“We have fun making decorations from Cheerios and popcorn for the Christmas tree — great for the kids to do.” – Denise C.
10. Use Outlets or Discount Stores
Outlet malls, villages and discount chains carry familiar brands at lower prices. Many also stock food items and kitchen goodies alongside clothing and accessories, which can make nice presents too.
11. Make Delicious Presents
Everyone loves a homemade treat at Christmas, so get baking with the kids. It’s a fun activity together and results in some lovely edible gifts.
“We bake presents — sweets, biscuits and cakes.” – Audrey G.
12. Avoid Impulse Buying When Food Shopping
It’s easy to get swept up in extras when doing the Christmas food shop, especially when you’re rushing.
“Make a food shopping list and stick to it.” – Tracey C.
13. Don’t Focus Only on Christmas Day
Some great bargains appear in the sales straight after Christmas. If you have a bigger purchase in mind for someone, consider giving a voucher or note in their card promising a trip to the sales together, so they can choose exactly what they want.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to cut Christmas costs without feeling like you’re missing out?
Start with your gift list. Agreeing a Secret Santa or a price limit within the family or friend group tends to make the biggest difference for the least effort, and it usually means less stress too.
How can I save on wrapping and cards without it looking cheap?
Simple materials like brown paper, ribbon or reused paper from previous years can look just as good — sometimes better — than shop-bought options, especially with a bit of creativity from the kids.
Is it worth spreading out the Christmas food shop?
Yes. Picking up a few non-perishable items in your regular weekly shop over the weeks beforehand spreads the cost and takes the pressure off that one big shop right before Christmas.
What can I do with unused gifts or shopping vouchers?
Check for any vouchers left over from last Christmas or loyalty rewards you haven’t used — they often go towards Christmas shopping and can easily be forgotten before they expire.
Related Articles
- 30 Easy Household Tips to Save Money
- 12 Stunning Christmas Wrapping Ideas to Gift in Style
- Easy Christmas Gift Tags to Make
- Get Festive with More Homemade Advent Calendar Ideas
- 10 Tips for a Greener Christmas
Save This for Later
Christmas planning works best when you can come back to it. Bookmark this page or save it to your favourites so you have these tips handy whenever you’re ready to start your Christmas shopping and planning.
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