A Cost-Conscious Christmas

Written by Heather and Steph

We’re celebrating the anniversary of our first print issue with our first collaborative article! We’ve put our heads together to bring you six suggestions for keeping Christmas costs under control.

We all know Christmas is billed as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ but, for most of us, it’s also the most expensive time of the year. It’s great to be able to lavish gifts upon those we love but, let’s face it, sometimes this stretches us beyond our means and can be a financial strain. Breakfasts with Santa, elaborate advent calendars, Christmas Eve boxes, matching pyjamas, bulging stockings… it all adds up! Here are some of our top tips for a more cost-conscious Christmas.

Made with Love

Homemade gifts are a wonderful way to get into the festive mood and show someone you care. Try melting a big block of chocolate and adding things like popcorn, pretzels, cranberries, broken biscuits and edible glitter to it. Once it has set, break it up and pop it into little gift bags for a delicious sweet treat. It will go further than you think (if it makes it out of the house!). Alternatively, layer all the dry ingredients for a simple cookie or gingerbread recipe inside a clean, recycled jar. Finish it with a ribbon and personalised label for a really high-end looking gift.

Reverse Advent Calendar

The choice of advent calendars these days is endless. With one for each member of the family and the possibility of toys, beers, cosmetics or candles behind each door, the cost mounts up. Consider, instead, adding a food item to a box each day and then donating it to a local food bank on Christmas Eve. Satisfy the family’s craving for a daily chocolate fix with a few bags of chocolate coins.

Want, Need, Wear, Read

This lovely, simple idea involves carefully choosing just four gifts for each person and making them count. Just select something the recipient really wants, something useful, a new item of clothing and the perfect book. And leave it at that!

Family Secret Santa

Whilst we may be familiar with this as a common workplace Christmas tradition, consider implementing it amongst the adults in your family. Agree a budget that suits everyone, use an online random name picker to match giver to receiver, and then plan a festive get together to exchange gifts.

The Experience Gift

If it’s likely that you’ll go on some family day trips in 2025, why not gift these at Christmas time? A little hand drawn or printed note or ‘voucher’ could be wrapped in an enormous box just for fun! This gift has the added benefit of providing everyone with something to look forward to once the excitement of Christmas has passed.

Crafty Christmas

Whilst wrapping paper seems like an obvious staple, a lot of varieties are not recyclable and many of the cheaper types rip easily. Why not pick up a big roll of plain brown paper and create your own bespoke designs? Try potato printing, pens or simple stamps (you can even use cookie cutters dipped in paint – just remember to wash them well before your next baking day!). Cut shapes out of greetings cards, magazines or old books for labels and tags, and finish with ribbon, string or even wool for a gift that will look stunning in any stocking!