Financial support at Christmas
As Christmas approaches, there’s an expectation to buy gifts, go for expensive dinners and purchase over-priced hot chocolate at the Christmas market.
This information by the Money Saving Expert covers everything from budgeting for the big day and for those who celebrate Eid, Chanukah or anything else, for the most part the same tips apply.
Work out what you can afford
Calculate your budget and work out you can afford to spend? Christmas is just for one day – don't ruin the whole of the next year for it.
Make a list – and check it twice
Christmas shopping on impulse is dangerous, so make a shopping list and stick to it. Even if you're shopping on the high street, remember to benchmark the prices using shopbots first.
Make a list of who you need to buy for and whenever you see goods at decent prices, grab, wrap, and put them in a Christmas cupboard.
Keep your eyes peeled for discounts and deals on our vouchers, bargains and sales pages
Time to ban unnecessary presents
If you are struggling to afford Christmas think about not giving gifts this year. You shouldn't feel like you have to think about giving, what we're giving, to whom and why.
Watch Martin's three-minute video on why and read his original Ban unnecessary Christmas gifts blog that started it all.
You could always make a No Unnecessary Present Pact with family or friends, or at least agree to a Secret Santa or £5 to £10 cap on gifts.
Check out charity gift catalogues
Want to give, but don't want to waste cash on tat? Take a look at Charity Gifts which includes how much goes to good causes. The guide's packed with ideas, and gifts start from just a few pounds.
20 free (or very cheap) ways to sprinkle Christmas magic for kids
Chances are your best childhood Christmas memories aren't about beautifully co-ordinated baubles or even getting that year's must-have toy. For many, it's the build up that's the most fun – experiences that involve spending more time with parents or carers.
Here are 20 free (or very cheap) traditions to create memories, from driving round after dark to admire twinkly streets to leaving something heavy on the sofa to make a dent "where Santa plonked his big bottom". See Money Saving Export Free Christmas Magic blog.
Festive Fivers (£5 gift ideas)
See the 50 Festive Fivers for the full list and here are some of our top picks which definitely still work today
- The 12 Dates of Christmas, make a date night package which plans a date for each month of the new year, such as a picnic in the park or a candlelit bubble bath. Once you've planned the dates, write them on cards and decorate.
- Santa's Sleigh Bell, plant a fallen bell in the garden on Christmas morning, saying it's a fallen bell from "Santa's sleigh".
- Fill up a box with loads of blown-up balloons and wrap it – it's sure to provide hours of fun and shouldn't cost more than a fiver. Please supervise very young children, as balloons can choke them.
- Elegant chocolate slabs. You pay £7+ in fancy shops, but homemade chocolate slabs are easy and cheap to make.
- Be wary when buying gift cards
If you're considering giving gift cards or vouchers there are four key things you should be aware of:
- Sometimes retailers go bust: A host of big name retailers have gone into administration in recent years. When this happens, they usually stop accepting cards altogether and there's very little you can do to get your money back. See MSE Administration Help guide for what you can try if you have a gift card for a company that has gone bust.
- Gift cards have expiry dates: Most gift cards must be redeemed within a certain period of time, so the recipient needs to spend them before time runs out.
- Beware of admin fees: Some companies will begin reducing your balance if you don't use the card within a certain timeframe, such as the the multi-shop gift card provider One4all, which deducts 90p a month from your balance once you've had the card 18 months.
- They could forget or lose them: Often people forget to use them, lose them, delete the email, or accidentally run them through the wash.
Taking into account all of the above, we think giving cash is a much better alternative to gift cards.
If however you still want to buy one, there are some multi-shop gift cards, such as Love2Shop, which you would be able to use at other retailers in the scheme if one shop went bust.
Find the cheapest place to buy gifts in seconds
The web usually beats the high street on price. To help, comparison sites search the net to find the cheapest books, games or anything else.
We found Google Shopping is the most consistent at finding the cheapest price – the MSE Deals team even use it as a starting point when checking out deals.
Google Shopping searches a wide range of retailers, including biggies such as Amazon, Currys PC World, John Lewis and Tesco.
For a full how-to guide and other price comparison sites to try, see 40+ Online Shopping Tricks.
Haven't used it since last Christmas? Sell it
If a few quid more in the Christmas fund would really help, selling things via eBay's a good way to start – our 40+ eBay Selling Tricks guide is a crash course.
Selling on Vinted is a brilliant way to make extra cash by flogging your own wardrobe – especially as there are NO fees for sellers. For collection only items, Facebook Selling is another great option.If you prefer speed and ease rather than max price, several sites let you enter details, they offer a price, and you post goods, for example books, for free. Full info in our Boost your income guide.
Debt worries over Christmas? Get help
If you're struggling with debts, and it's giving you sleepless nights, then free one-on-one debt help is available. They're there to help, they get really busy in January, so get your appointment now.
Read a Debt Help guide for a full list of free one-on-one help options.
Can't afford Christmas?
If you've little stashed away for Christmas, it may be possible to relieve pressure, increase happiness and avoid the nightmare before (and after) Christmas.
As Martin said in his Christmas Cold Turkey blog: "If you're really struggling and have nothing, then do truly go cold turkey – see family [if possible this year], spend time, think about life, watch the telly, but don't spend money on it. Christmas is just one day. Far more important is a happier, financially less-stressed New Year."
The heat is on
Jimmy, who is an energy expert at the charity National Energy Action runs energy awareness courses for people struggling to pay their fuel bills. Jimmy runs sessions at The Life Rooms and at Childrens Centres across Merseyside. He has changed the focus of his awareness sessions to include ways for people can control costs and keep warm and health.
Jimmy has shared energy saving tips in our latest MC Magazine
Useful links
Below you will find links to your local borough council with information on support and services that are available to help you: