Christmas is supposed to be a time of comfort and joy, but many people face the festive season feeling a different emotion: anxiety.
About 44% of people worry about the cost of Christmas, rising to 58% among renters aged 18 to 35*.
A big part of this financial anxiety comes from the pressure to buy gifts for friends and extended family.
Not wishing to look like Scrooge, many people run themselves ragged, buying lots of presents that they can’t afford (and face a nasty credit card bill in the New Year).
So, how can you and your family have a merry celebration without spending beyond your means? Here are some tips on spending less on Christmas gifts.
Streamline your Christmas list
It’s easy to get caught up in a gift-giving merry-go-round. You feel obliged to buy something for each extended family member, and they think they must do the same for you. And when Christmas Day rolls around, no one’s happy about the tat that they unwrap.
Instead, have an honest conversation and agree that you’ll only buy gifts for close family and small children. Your relatives will probably thank you for your honesty.
Secret Santa
If you can’t quite face the no-present option, why not go down the Secret Santa route?
Each family member gets a name (drawn from a hat) and buys a gift for that person.
Set a price limit so that everyone knows where they stand. It’s much better to get one well-considered gift than lots of little trinkets you don’t want or need.
Use loyalty cards
If you shop at the same supermarket each week (and most people do), you’ll most likely have a loyalty card to pick up discounts throughout the year.
Now’s the time to check your account and see how many points you’ve accrued. Many supermarket loyalty programmes are affiliated with other companies and organisations, including theme parks, cinemas, and restaurants.
Why not give someone an experience or a day out to enjoy in the new year?
We’d love to know your savvy Christmas shopping tips. Comment below.
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*Ipsos Political Monitor, 2023