Cut The Cost Of Christmas
Saturday 15 November 2008
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but it can be costly. Here’s the Consumer Council’s guide to taking the stress out and keeping the sparkle in the run up to Christmas.
Preparation is key
· Use the Consumer Council’s ‘Budgeting for Christmas Presents Planner’ to write a realistic gift list. It includes tips on how to stay within your budget.
· Start shopping now to spread the cost and avoid last-minute panic buys.
Food, glorious food
Here are some tips to cut your Christmas food bill:
· Shop around for the best deals. Some festive foods are already on sale, so buy early and freeze what you can.
· Shops only close for a limited time over Christmas so don’t go overboard on stocking up.
· Plan meals in advance so that you can see how and when you can use up leftovers to avoid waste.
· Not sure what size of turkey or ham to buy? The BBC website has a calculator to work out what size will best suit your needs[1].
· Our ‘Christmas Food Shopping Planner’ helps to set a shopping list and includes all the extras like table decorations. If you plan first you may be able to spot where you can make savings.
Don’t go overboard on the kids
When children ask for expensive toys, it can be hard for parents to say no. However, would playing a board game together or watching a family film provide more lasting happy memories than the latest ‘must-have’ gadget? For guidance on discussing money issues with your children, check out the Consumer Council’s Money Tips for Parents leaflet.
For more money savings tips for the home, food shopping and transport, or to check the price of petrol, diesel and home heating oil in your area, visit:
www.consumercouncil.org.uk or call us on 028 9067 2488.
