How to have a brilliant budget friendly Christmas part two

Being away for two weeks in the run up to Christmas (something I’ve never done before, and, in spite of it being one of the most magical and memorable holidays I’ve ever had, something I won’t be doing again) has meant my festive preparations have been condensed into an alarmingly short space of time. Panicking? Moi?

It also means that this promised second installment of budget friendly Christmas ideas (HERE’S the first one in case you missed it) may be somewhat on the late side for those of you who are rather (or probably a lot) better prepared than I currently am. Even so, I hope it might have one or two useful nuggets in it that will help make your celebrations as kind on your bank balance as they are enjoyable for you and your loved ones.

Starting where I left off last time, with the presents, and this trio of gift-related suggestions.

Budget gift giving

We’re well used to doing Christmas Secret Santas with work colleagues, but how about extending the idea to family and/or friends as well? With four siblings and, over the years, their other halves and children, our Christmas gift list was getting ever-longer, and pricer. For a long time we had a - very low - price limit on presents, but then a few years ago we decided to do a Secret Santa instead and, honestly, it’s been the best Christmas tradition we’ve created. Instead of each of us ending up with a load of stuff we don’t need, we get one present that we really love. We still have a price limit, though it’s a little bigger with the need to buy only one present, and we create a gift wish list on-line so that each giver knows exactly what their recipient wants. This year we’ve brought the limit down and specified that the gift must be either from a charity, or a company that donates a percentage of each purchase to charity. It’s been interesting to see that, without any consultation between us, we’ve each requested a donation to a charity of our choice rather than getting a gift for ourselves.

Another lovely gift idea that’s not just purse friendly, but thoughtful in a quite unexpected way, is to regift a book that you’ve loved. I don’t know about you, but I’m always keen to pass on books I’ve read and enjoyed. I’d much rather that than they just sit in my bookcase. And doing that as a Christmas present, with an accompanying note saying what you loved about the book and why you think the recipient would like it too, shows you’ve really given the gift some thought.

The last of these gift-related ideas is something I’ve also been doing for years, and that is to give Christmas gifts ‘wrapped’ in store bags. I realise fewer of us are getting our purchase in bags, especially when they’re charged for, but when I do, I always save the nice ones and then use them to put my presents in, tying the handles with some pretty ribbon to make them look Christmassy. Not only is there no cost, but no waste either since the recipients either take them home with them, or give them back to me to reuse another time.

Budget food and drink

Of course the other big expense at Christmas is all the meals we make and eat and the drink we consume. So here are a handful of suggestions to keep costs down on those.

Knowing how many people you’re cooking for, and planning meals and your shopping accordingly is key to keeping costs at a sensible level and saving on waste. This clever BBC Good Food portion planner is a great help when it comes to doing that.

Before you head out to do your Christmas food shopping, check the supermarket websites to see what deals they have. It’s surprising how much you can save by shopping around. And buy supermarket own brand products if you don’t already. I’ll be surprised if you can tell the difference from the more expensive branded stuff. Check out supermarket deals on-line before you go out to do your food shopping. And buy supermarket own brand products if you don’t already.

Also, many supermarkets now sell misshapen fruit and veg at lower prices. They might not look as pretty in the shop but no-one will know the difference once they’re cut up and cooked/served.

When it comes to the wine, use this invaluable, and regularly updated, Money Saving Expert cheap wines deal page.

And finally, the best and most enjoyably inclusive cost saver of all is to ask each of your guests to contribute to the consumables by bringing one element of the food and drink. I have hosted Christmas for many years and never once have I made all the meal or provided all the drinks - alcoholic or otherwise. I happily hand over the making of the main course to my caterer sister (my mum pays for the turkey). Various other courses and edibles are made by other family members, whilst between them the rest of the gang bring all the drinks. Everyone is more than happy to do their bit, we all thoroughly enjoy consuming each others offerings and no-one gets stressed with the pressure of having to do it all.

And what could make Christmas any more enjoyable than that?

I hope however you’re spending the festive season, and whoever you’re with, its as budget friendly as it is bursting with fun.