subject: Top Tips For Saving Money At Christmas [print this page] Top Tips For Saving Money At Christmas Top Tips For Saving Money At Christmas
Christmas can be an expensive occasion what with family members to buy presents for and lots of mouths to feed. The average Christmas spend for families of four people is a staggering 700 which leaves a pretty big dent in the bank come January. Making small changes can make the biggest difference however and these needn't affect your enjoyment of Christmas either.
Traditionally, meat dishes like turkey, gammon and goose are eaten during the Christmas dinner. Meat can be expensive to buy however, especially if you're feeding a lot of people on Christmas day. Vegetarian Christmas dinners are far less expensive and are much healthier than a meat-rich version. Nut roasts, aubergine lasagnes and soya cutlets are just as tasty, much cheaper and contain far less fat than a real meat equivalent.
In recent years, vintage and charity shop purchases have become increasingly popular, especially among the fashionable set. Instead of buying brand new items wrapped in plastics, why not opt for the eco-friendly option a recycled tea set, cashemere sweater or a collection of books by your recipient's favourite author? Charity shop shopping can be a fun and social affair so make a date in your diary and set out with friends. What's more, the money you save means you can buy more for your recipient or splash out on another occasion like a birthday instead.
Christmas really is the time for family and with increasing numbers of us working, living and travelling abroad, it's not surprising that many people will be celebrating a cross-continental Christmas this year. Keeping in touch during the holiday season can prove costly, especially if you're calling a friend's mobile in China or chatting on the phone to grandma in Australia. Think before you dial, and make cheap international calls via services like VoIP, discount dialling codes or webcam.
Saving money this Christmas needn't take the sparkle out, instead it'll definitely give you something else to celebrate.
