How to spend LESS money this Christmas

I grew up in an Africa country and in Africa, Christmas isn’t celebrated like it is here in Europe. In Africa, before Christmas day people travel to be with their loved ones. Then, they shop for food and then buy or make something nice to wear for the day.  On Christmas day everyone joins in to make a big festive meal. Then people dress up, have the meal and then go out and visit family and friends. That pretty much sums it up. No one gets bankrupt because of Christmas. Here in Europe, it is not the same. People run into huge debts buying gifts and get chased around by bailiffs in the New Year. Who wants to live a life that? Not you I trust. So, here are a few ways to keep your dosh in your pocket this year. Try them out – hope this helps. If it does, let me know... 

1. Buy a pack of 40 greeting cards from pound or dollar stores. That should be enough for all the people who matter to you. Also, buy cheap wrapping paper – you can get three rolls for a pound/dollar. Get some tinsels, Christmas lights, bubbles and beads in silver and red or gold and red depending on your colour theme. To add an extra touch to your cheap goodies buy a set of felt pens, glitter glue, a roll of ribbon, a packet of small envelopes, cellotape and a glue stick - They all cost a pound/dollar for each.
2. Buy a big box of Nestlé’s Quality Street chocolates or Lindt to give out to everyone who matters.
3. Instead of buying cards, better still, you can design a card on your PC using Microsoft Word, Paint or Publish and print on A4 card using black ink. You can brighten the card up by adding colour with felt tips and some glitter glue all form the pound store. Or you can download an ecard and email it to all your contacts, then send a text to ask them if they have received it. It is handy to send ecards to family members who are far away.
4. Buy gifts of £5/$5 or under for children aged 5 to 9, they would appreciate anything you give them as long as it is not a toy that would fall apart after a few minutes add a few chocolate sweets. For babies buy a baby grow, pack of bibs or something similar.
5. For older children stick a £10/$10 note into a nicely designed envelope using your felt pens and glitter glue. Add a £1/$1 mug and a handful of Celebrations chocolates. Remember to cover it up with wrapping paper. Use old cards from last Christmas as name tags. Cut them into circular shapes and stick them to the present. Kids used to getting more may sulk for a while but eventually they will begin to fantasize about what they will do with their stash.
6. For adults, forget about presents, simple send a text message, and call or send the ecard as I stated above. But you must buy gifts for people who matter in your professional life– but only if you think they deserve it or if it will make your life easier in the long run. What do you buy for a boss? Chocolate or wine is your best bet. You can never go wrong with a good box of chocolates or wine. Spend no more than £5/$5 though. The weight of your gift lies in the presentation. So, wrap it perfectly, then decorate it with a tiny little ribbon bow. Add a card. Remember to add gloss to your cheap pound/ dollars tore cards to glam them up. 
7. For all other work colleagues, children’s teachers, your doctor, the man at the post office and so on, who have been good to you this year – here is what to give them: Design the front of the small envelopes with felt tips and glitter glue then put in each one a couple of chocolate sweets seal it up and write your name, a Christmas greeting on the back and pass them on to each of these special people. They would be grateful that you made an effort.
8. For Christmas instead of splashing out on new clothes, shoes, jewellery and so on, look through your wardrobe and try to mix and match. You can add glamour to your old dress by simply buying a scarf or belt from a second hand shop or from ebay.
9. Neither over spend on food nor over eat. That is a sin! Eat the same portions as you normally would if it was just an ordinary day. It would be good for you and save you loads. Plus, you will feel better when everything is over.
10. Only spend money on making your hair look nice. Never economise on that. Go to the salon and pamper yourself. Also, if you have children take them to get their hair done. It will make you feel better.
11. Sometimes during festive seasons we may run up a lot of electricity, gas and fuel. Check to see whether the TV needs to be on; is the fan/heater necessary; do you need to make that car journey and so on.
12. Although I know this is a tough one but if you can keep your credit card at home when you go shopping. There attempting sales on everywhere you turn to. But remember that interest rates on credit cards can be astronomical if you don’t pay off the balance within a month. Disregard all those loan letters dropping in through your post box – that’s a trap!
13. Use all the vouchers and discounts you have collected, look for bargains. There are hundreds online. Look out for my next blog on where to get last minute bargains.
14. Many of us make phone calls abroad during the festive season, try not to use your phone directly, use a prepaid card – it will save you from getting a huge shock at the end of January when your bills start coming in.
15. Think ahead – do you want to peace and happy January or an anxious and scary five weeks after Christmas? You decide.