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 festive season one has to throw money at it when in fact opposite can be true.
Research has shown that most people's fondest and most lasting memories of festive season revolve around smells and sounds of Christmas and not 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 cardboard box that it came in?
An alternative could be to buy a board game that 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 child's early years thereby saving need to buy even more toys in future. It is better to choose a tried and tested board game rather than 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 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 same so why spend more?
Christmas tree:
Why buy a fresh tree which will cost more and have inherent problem of how to clear up fallen needles when you can buy a plastic tree for much less? Apart from not having to worry about clearing up of needles plastic tree has added benefit of being re-useable making it a very economical proposition.