How to Save Money at Christmas

Do you know how to save money at Christmas and still have fun? Sounds impossible but it can be done.

Everyone assumes that in order to enjoy the festive season one has to throw money at it when in fact the opposite can be true.

Research has shown that most people's fondest and most lasting memories of the festive season revolve around the smells and sounds of Christmas and not the expensive gifts that they had received.

Do not get carried away and be miserly but just use some common sense and you will be surprised at how much you can save and still have a good time.

Here are some useful money saving tips on how to enjoy Christmas without spending a fortune:

Presents:

Why buy an expensive present for a child when all they will play with is the cardboard box that it came in?

An alternative could be to buy a board game that the entire family can enjoy rather than lots of individual gifts which will quickly be ignored. The other advantage of a board game is that it can be played throughout the child's early years thereby saving the need to buy even more toys in future. It is better to choose a tried and tested board game rather than the latest trendy one as they are more likely to retain their appeal.

If you cannot afford to buy board games, look to play party games. Go to your local library and take out a book on party games, write down some of your favourite games and play those. A simple mime game can keep the children entertained for hours.

Crackers:

Why buy a box of expensive crackers when you can have just as much fun with a box costing a lot less? The contents are basically the same so why spend more?

Christmas tree:

Why buy a fresh tree which will cost more and have the inherent problem of how to clear up the fallen needles when you can buy a plastic tree for much less? Apart from not having to worry about the clearing up of needles the plastic tree has the added benefit of being re-useable making it a very economical proposition.

Decorations:

Why buy expensive baubles to decorate the Christmas tree when home made decorations can be just as effective without incurring the cost.

Involve the children. It is their Christmas, after all! Get them to paint, colour, cut, design and make their own decorations for the tree.

They can also be shown how to make a variety of decorations for the house including decorative seasonal paper banners, place setting tags, paper candles and paper lanterns.

By involving the children you will give them a sense of achievement and a certain amount of pride in what they have accomplished. That has to be more meaningful than just buying some costly decoration and placing it on the tree?

Food:

Why buy an expensive turkey when a chicken can be just as tasty and less costly? It will also take less time to cook thereby saving on the electricity bill.

Shopping:

When you do your Christmas shopping try not to be influenced by all the clever marketing ploys used to get you to spend more money. Still look for the bargains and continue to shop wisely. Select items that are on special offer. Select items that offer "Buy one - Get one free".

Planning:

With a bit of planning you will be surprised at how much you can save. Here is a useful shopping tip that will save you at least 50% on the cost of all Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, Christmas crackers and wrapping paper. Wait until just after Christmas when the supermarkets begin to hold their after Christmas sales.

You can then buy all the cards, crackers, candles, baubles, wrapping paper and other decorations at very low prices. They can then be used for the following year.

If you follow the above advice you will save money. The money you save can go towards paying for a summer holiday.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

About The Author

About the Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:25:11 GMT Scientists Reprogram Adult Cells' Function - Washington Post Chatter Shmatter Scientists Reprogram Adult Cells' Function Washington Post - 10 hours ago By Rob Stein Through a series of painstaking experiments involving mice, the Harvard biologists pinpointed three crucial molecular switches that, when flipped, completely convert a common cell in the pancreas into the more precious insulin-producing ... Researchers Report Advances in Cell Conversion Technique New York Times Diabetes researchers convert pancreas cells to produce insulin Los Angeles Times USA Today - Boston Globe - Bloomberg all 457 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:41:39 GMT South Carolina survives 4 interceptions - The Associated Press Washington Post South Carolina survives 4 interceptions The Associated Press - 1 hour ago COLUMBIA, SC (AP) - Steve Spurrier just can't avoid quarterback controversies. South Carolina's coach had intended since April for junior Tommy Beecher to lead the Gamecocks. NC State gets off to a rough start Winston-Salem Journal Locker Room Report: Tom O'Brien CanesTime.com N.C. State University Technician Online - Memphis Commercial Appeal - FayObserver.com - Burlington Times News all 270 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:31:00 GMT Storm could postpone Republican convention - Los Angeles Times radiojamaica.com Storm could postpone Republican convention Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago By Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON, MINN. -- As the political spotlight shifts to the upcoming Republican convention in Minneapolis-St. McCain camp closely watching Gustav CNN Political Ticker GOP could delay convention if Gustav hits MarketWatch Houston Chronicle - USA Today - Pensacola News Journal all 139 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:25:11 GMT Clark to speak with Minister over fraud claims - ABC Online TVNZ Clark to speak with Minister over fraud claims ABC Online - 2 hours ago By New Zealand correspondent Kerri Ritchie New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark is under increasing pressure to sack her Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, who is being investigated over undeclared political donations. Peters steps down from Government New Zealand Herald NZ foreign minister under pressure to resign International Herald Tribune AFP - National Business Review - The Dominion Post - TVNZ all 309 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:48:29 GMT Concerns remain as salmonella outbreak comes to an end - Los Angeles Times Concerns remain as salmonella outbreak comes to an end Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago The produce industry says the FDA search for the source, which shifted suspicion from tomatoes to jalapeño and serrano peppers, shattered consumer confidence and cost it millions. Salmonella Outbreak Is Said to Be Over New York Times Feds: Worst of salmonella is over Bradenton Herald AHN - Food Consumer - CNN - The Associated Press all 560 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:43:58 GMT NBC Rules Wednesday Night - New York Times NBC Rules Wednesday Night New York Times - 1 hour ago By BENJAMIN TOFF; Compiled by Julie Bloom “America’s Got Talent” helped NBC in the ratings on Wednesday, making the network No. Obama's breathtaking show transcended politics The Associated Press Ratings dip on DNC's night 3 Variety Denver Post - Multichannel News - MarketWatch - New York Daily News all 661 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:00:29 GMT A Georgia School System Loses Its Accreditation - New York Times ABC News A Georgia School System Loses Its Accreditation New York Times - 2 hours ago By ROBBIE BROWN ATLANTA - A county school system in metropolitan Atlanta on Thursday became the nation’s first in nearly 40 years to lose its accreditation, and the governor removed four of its school board members for ethics violations. Clayton schools’ fears are realized Atlanta Journal Constitution Group: Troubled Ga. district loses accreditation International Herald Tribune ABC News - The Associated Press - News/Talk 750 WSB - WLOS all 441 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:08:34 GMT Clickbank RSS Feeds Legitimate Work From Home Jobs

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Fitness Tips On How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holiday Season

This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More

Holiday Beauty Dos and Donts

Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday... Read More

The Cheapest Christmas Ever!

Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to... Read More

Set the Mood- Halloween Decoration Ideas

When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More

What Are You Doing This Halloween?

When it comes to Halloween there's no lack of variety... Read More

Simplify the Season

Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More

A New Look at Labor Day

A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people:... Read More

Home Made Gifts, The Best Way To Teach Your Kids The Value Of The Holiday

To a large extent the holidays have come to be... Read More

A Medieval Story for Valentines Day, Bonne & Charles

The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More

Color Easter Eggs Naturally With Dyes From Your Kitchen

The most beautiful dyes for Easter eggs come from foodstuff... Read More

How to Save Money at Christmas

Do you know how to save money at Christmas and... Read More

Decorate for Christmas

It's your home/your apartment and you want to make it... Read More

Overcoming Loneliness this Christmas

Christmas is one of those times when the social norm... Read More

Lost and Found (A Valentines Day Story)

I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of... Read More

Tribute to Dad

Father's Day should not be the only day that we... Read More

Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating

You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids... Read More

The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1

The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but... Read More

Christmas Holidays: 5 Ways To Make This Holiday Your Best Ever

For many people the end of a year is a... Read More

Birthday Gift Baskets ? The Ideal Gift For Everyone!

No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More

10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays

No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More

Mothers Day, Do You Know What Youre Giving The Woman Who Gave You Life?

Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More

Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... or Bah Humbug!

Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it... Read More

Eggs-travagant Eggs

Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need... Read More

FIREWORKS--OR, OOH, AAH, How Do They Do That?

One of my earliest memories involves a Fourth of July... Read More

Making the Holidays More Meaningful

Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More