What are your top tips for Christmas money saving?

Jon

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Anyone got any top tips for saving money at Christmas?

I always try to buy as much as I can up front when it comes to food. So booze, Meats, Snacks etc we get as early as we can without them going off just so we aren't in some mad dash to find things in the run up to the big day.

We typically buy presents for people online these days to be honest (though we do get them delivered to the house first so we can wrap them) - I just find discounts are FAR easier to find online (maybe using something like Pouch or TopCashBack) than going to a physical store.

Anyone else have any tips or tricks they used to help keep their costs down at that time of year?
 

Topaz

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I save up some survey cash in my Amazon account through the year, so that I can use it for prezzies and Christmas bits. Got about £400 in there at the mo.
 
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Jon

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I save up some survey cash in my Amazon account through the year, so that I can use it for prezzies and Christmas bits. Got about £400 in there at the mo.
Wowza £400 is great! Do you tend to buy lots during black friday or wait until nearer the time to buy gifts on there?
 

Topaz

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Wowza £400 is great! Do you tend to buy lots during black friday or wait until nearer the time to buy gifts on there?
I don't really bother with the sales. I make a list, check it twice, and buy everything in one go in early November. We have five family birthdays between early November and Christmas, so I like to be organised - and it gives me a chance to play with the Grandbaby's toys, just to make sure that they work, you understand. :)
 

The Reverend

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Due to the uncertainty of this Christmas I've suggested that we go down the frozen food route for Xmas.

This means that we can get the food now for the festive period and not have to worry if;-

1) There is low stock at any point
2) There no HGV Drivers to get stock
3) Our usual orders get 'cancelled' at the last minute
4) Lockdown happens and the family can't get together
5) Covid happens and we have to isolate

It also should mean we have a lot less stress this xmas. It also means we wont end up paying 'over the odds' for whatever is out there and that nothing 'fresh' gets wasted if we can't all get together.

Other top xmas tips

a) No-one cares for the difference between Champagne and Cava/Prosecco
b) Spend a bit more on first bottle of wine you plan to open, everything else can be 'run of the mill'
c) Decant long-life juices into glass bottles if you are worried about looking 'cheap'
d) Chilled tap water in glass bottles is also nice to drink
e) Scrambled Eggs with smoked salmon pieces is a lovely breakfast for the day and doesn't cost loads
f) a board game is a great way to pass the time as a family without just sitting silent infront of the TV
g) You don't need a starter if you are having a 'and all the trimmings' roast.
h) I'm also a fan of skipping dessert after xmas dinner.
i) Mince Pies/Apple Pies from Mr Kipling keep for quite a while so can become a dessert for a hungry person if required.
j) Check to see who has Netflix/Disney+/Spotify accounts and see if you can share log ins.
k) The oven will be on most of the day, keep the kitchen door open to let the heat escape round the home.
l) Hand deliver Christmas cards for people local to you.
m) 2nd class stamps just need posting a day or two earlier.
n) Turkey curry is easy to make with leftover turkey and can be frozen.
o) Check out what spirits you have half open in your drinks cabinet and work out what cocktails you could make from those rather than buy more spirits
p) Everyone loves snacky-snacky-snack-snacks so if family are visiting for 2 (or more days), try to keep the snacks seperated so all aren't eaten on the first day.
q) Don't use your landline to phone people, you probably have enough free minutes on your mobile or use Facetime/whatsapp for 'free' calls.
r) If you know you aren't seeing someone until into the new year, buy their present in the sales.
s) If you have the space, xmas stuff like cards, wrapping paper, decorations, can be had for 1/4 of the price after Christmas so buy then and store.
t) Turkeys can be expensive for Christmas. You might find it cheaper to get a different meat entirely.
u) No-one cares how expensive your crackers are and (nearly) all the toys in them go in the bin.
v) don't skimp on your cola/lemonaid - buy the versions you know people enjoy rather than the cheapest.
w) A cheeseboard makes an attractive and longer-life dessert for xmas day and can be added to leftovers for sandwiches.
x) Paper Kitchen towels work just fine as napkins.
y) I hear aldi/lidl do excellent dupes of Baileys and other spirits.
z) Don't spend more than you can afford.

That final one is the most important but I've left it to the end as we all get to decide what our levels of affordability are.

Happy Christmas!

The Reverend
 

Jon

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Tell ya who else is good for Christmas

Costco!

Man alive their Christmas hampers and all that are just amazing!
 

The Reverend

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Tell ya who else is good for Christmas

Costco!

Man alive their Christmas hampers and all that are just amazing!
I think we are using 'cook' for everything except the meat.

We are currently discussing 'meat' and will then make a decision. If we go for turkey it will be a breast joint so easy to store, freeze, defrost, cook and turn into leftovers.

Plus - NO-ONE LIKES DARK MEAT ON A TURKEY
 

Chammy

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Don't buy anyone anything - best money-saving tip there :p

I'm trying to boost earnings through Prolific and get my TopCashback paid in Amazon vouchers which helps.

Donate to charity instead of sending Xmas cards - this saves on the cards, the postage and is also more environmentally sustainable; especially if you have a large family.

Scour charity shops for unopened board games, unused books, wrapped DVD/Blurays/CDs, gift sets to gift.

Pre-prepared vegetables - they might be a little pricier but they save time which to me is worth it.

Buy meat before the end of November when it suddenly becomes "Christmas Meat" - especially things like beef and lamb

Check local butcher as they might have a deal that will see you through Christmas and beyond.

Sticking with the local butcher, don't be afraid to ask them to butcher your turkey (especially if you're a smaller family) most are happy to deliver it as a crown and drumsticks.

Vegetarian options are usually cheaper, I did this mushroom wellington a few years back as the main piece and everyone loved it https://www.chammyirl.co.uk/food/portobello-wellington/
 

Jon

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Scour charity shops for unopened board games, unused books, wrapped DVD/Blurays/CDs, gift sets to gift.

Once had a friend who would literally REGIFT last years presents that they hadn't opened to other unsuspecting people!
 

Jon

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Check local butcher as they might have a deal that will see you through Christmas and beyond.

I've seen people in my last job get INSANE deals from local butchers on the last thursday or friday before everyone breaks up for Chrimbo and the city centre based butchers just want it gone.

One guy I remember bough a metric ton of Pork for like £100 and went home with this giant thing on the bus back to wakefield lol
 
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Chammy

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Once had a friend who would literally REGIFT last years presents that they hadn't opened to other unsuspecting people!
My mum keeps all her unwanted gifts and donates them towards raffles - mostly from work colleagues who don't know she can't use smelly stuff in her bath and the like.
 

Jon

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My mum keeps all her unwanted gifts and donates them towards raffles - mostly from work colleagues who don't know she can't use smelly stuff in her bath and the like.
A raffle is a nice thing to do

giving someone a CD of the 'best dance songs of 2020' at Christmas 2021 is less so lol
 
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