• Home
  • Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Vegetarian Dinners
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Baking Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • How To….
    • Preserves and Sauces
  • Recipe Collections
    • 7 Crumble Recipes
    • 7 Apple Dessert Recipes
    • 7 Easy Beef Mince Recipes
    • 7 Lentil Recipes
    • 7 Friday Night Supper Ideas
    • 7 Flexible Recipes For Meat Eaters And Vegetarians
    • 7 Recipes To Cook With Children
    • 7 TV Dinners
    • 7 Make Ahead Meals For A Self-Catering Holiday
  • Life, Food And Everything
  • Penny’s Blog
  • My Story
  • Contact

How Not To Overspend At Christmas

November 19, 2014 Penny Leave a Comment

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Pin It
  • 0

A Brilliant Christmas

Pixmac000054906759Christmas is nearly here and it is all too easy to spend now and worry about it later. Except that later can come all too soon and January can look very bleak.

Or if you are not spending money – you may be stressing about whether you can have a good Christmas without money.

You can – and by saving a bit here and there – you may well still have some for your favourite things. Just work out what the best thing about Christmas time really is for you.

So have a fabulous Christmas without spending more than you have…..

There are many ways you can have a brilliant Christmas without spending lots of money. There are so many sparkly, attractive things in the shops and we all want to have a brilliant Christmas. The advertisers want us to connect having a brilliant Christmas to buying their products – and often they succeed.

Learn what is great about Christmas for you – that doesn’t cost money.. It is love that makes the world go round rather than money.

1. Assess what really makes a great Christmas for you. Chances are it is not expensive baubles or table decorations, nor is it the most costly champagne – it is usually more to do with the people you spend it with, having great company and good food with your favourite tipple.

2. Once you know what is important work out what you have to spend on Christmas over and above your normal spend. Whatever it is – stick to that budget and then decide how you sill spend it. No ones life will be ruined if they don’t get the exact thing they wanted.

3. Give gifts of time or effort. If you have little to spend on gifts – give promises of time – babysitting, walking the dog, cooking a meal, washing the car etc. People will often remember gifts of time over bought gifts. Gifts of food are always welcome – a cake or biscuits, some marmalade or chutney.

4. Instead of sending Christmas cards send personal emails or make telephone calls (if you on an anytime rate) or use skype to those that will appreciate the personal touch

5. If you are going to have a traditional dinner get a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey or consider a joint of pork, meatloaf or nut roast. They all taste good and people will appreciate the change. And then have treacle pudding rather than Christmas pudding. People will remember it for being different!

6. Put a cap on how much everyone can spend on presents for each other – it makes people be more creative and stops worry about whether you are spending ‘enough’ on someone

7. Use your old traditional family decorations that people have memories about – no need to buy new decorations each year. People will love to talk about Christmas past! Wear the party clothes you already have and dress them up differently with a sparkly scarf, buttons or belt/

8. If you can’t buy the gift your child (or partner, parent, friend etc) wants – simply explain. It is better to learn that it’s not all about expensive gifts. Chances are they will be just as happy with what you can give – if not more so becuase it will have been so well thought through. Offer favourite food, film or music or a gift of time (see point 3).

9. Plan to do the things that are free and special. Go to a music event, carol service or nativity event. Plan a good walk in the countryside. Play traditional games

10. If you are having lots of people round to your house, have a bring and share of food and drink. Shares the burden of time as well as money.

11. Choose practical, useful gifts that will give pleasure all year and be used time and again

12. Sign up to Penny’s Recipes for low cost recipes throughout the year!

If you like this article, you may want to subscribe to Penny’s Recipe’s newsletter and get the free Meal Plan – 7 family meals for under £30

Penny's Blog

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Recipe

Comments

  1. Lesley Astbury says

    December 16, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Thanks for this Penny, the article is very sobering. Interestingly, my family,and some of my friends children, without discussion, have all decided against over indulgence, and want to just enjoy being together, and sharing good food. It is heartening that many of the younger generations are keenly aware of what is going on in the world.

    Reply
    • penny says

      December 16, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      That is good to hear, Lesley. I don’t want to be too ‘bah humbug’ but Christmas is so much easier without all the consumption – and it is fun with people and what you do that really counts! Low cost food can be just as nice as expensive food too!

      Reply

Leave A Review Or Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Recipe & Ingredient Search

Hello!

Penny's Portrait

Hi I'm Penny. I created Penny's Recipes to share my favourite simple, fresh and economical recipes for you to cook.

I know what it is to lead a busy life and to want great meals without spending too much time in the kitchen.

I hope you enjoy them!

Disclaimer

I Penny Ritson - owner of Penny's Recipes - recommend products on this website for which I may receive a commission if you purchase the item. The price to you is the same. This helps to fund this website.

Most Popular Recipes

Eve's Pudding
Oatcakes
Stuffed Marrow With Beef Mince
Lemon Mousse
Blackberry Crumble
Rock Cake Recipe
Date And Walnut Cake
Cut And Come Again Fruit Cake
Easy Lentil Bake
Chicken, Bacon And Leek Pie

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Daily Dish Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in