Christmas has traditionally been associated with expensive gifts, days spent trawling shopping malls and dining tables groaning with an assortment of rich, decadent delights. Unfortunately, in many households, this year will be slightly different. The recession has brought redundancies, frozen pay rises and greater feelings of insecurity when it comes to employment and finances. Less people are prepared to spend large amounts of money on the festive season
However, even though times are tougher this year, Christmas can be just as enjoyable as it always has been. A more modest December 25th can be as much fun as a hugely expensive, over the top one.
Can Christmas Dinner Be Cheap And Cheerful?
A delicious Christmas dinner does not have to cost the earth. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure costs are kept low.
- Don't leave the Christmas shop to the last minute. Pick up bargains when you see them. Most things can be frozen until they are needed.
- When shopping for meat, give your local butchers a try instead of the supermarket as they can be significantly cheaper. Some butchers will also give you a discount if you buy in bulk.
- If you have enough room, try growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs. Cultivating your own food is highly cost effective and a lot of fun.
- Make your own sauces and gravy instead of buying them in bottles and jars. As well as tasting better, homemade cranberry and bread sauce will cost much less than the pre-made products.
- Buy chocolate, nuts and other Christmas snacks in bulk. Also, avoid the pricy brands. No-one will know the difference once they are in a bowl.
- Make your own desserts. Turn cake and pudding making into a family activity by involving the children.
Inexpensive Christmas Gifts
There is no need to spend huge amounts of money on Christmas presents. The majority of individuals are content simply to have something to unwrap and most people, particularly children, will not judge presents on the price paid. Much more importance is placed on the amount of thought that is put into selecting a gift that matches the recipient’s personality and preferences. The following gift ideas are ideal for those that don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend:
- A photo calendar, featuring favourite e memories from the year.
- A leather bound journal is a great gift for a budding writer.
- Board games are a fantastic budget option and the added bonus is that they bring friends and family together for night upon night of cost-free fun.
- For a female friend or relative, a beauty spa gift voucher can be a winning choice. They give the recipient the opportunity to relax and rewind, something that most people will appreciate in these recessionary times. They also enable you to set a specific budget.
- Make your own Christmas card, involving the rest of the family if possible. Children will love decorating the cards with stars, glitter and a variety of other decorations. Plus, everybody appreciates a handmade gift or card.
Remember to plan ahead when searching for gifts. Picking presents up at sales or on auction sites such as Ebay throughout the year can save a lot of money.
Festive Activities Without Breaking The Bank
Christmas often means pantomimes, trips to the theatre and winter holidays. When money is low, these pricier activities are not always an option. However, with a little creativity, plenty of festive fun can still be had.
- Visit Father Christmas at your local shopping mall. There is usually no charge, unless you want a photo, and young children will love the opportunity to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus.
- There are few things more guaranteed to get people in the Christmas mood than carolling. Get a group of friends together, plan a route and put together a song sheet. Perhaps consider visiting your local nursing home or hospital to spread some festive cheer.
- Pile your family into the car and take them on a Christmas light tour around the local neighbourhood.
- Have a Christmas movie night. Get hold of as many seasonal films as you can, cook up some popcorn and snuggle up in front of the television.
- There is no reason you can't hold your usual Christmas party. Simply share the cost with friends and family by asking each guest to bring a bottle of wine or a plate of food.
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