Five Effective Tips for Saving a Little Money this Holiday Season

The holiday period can be a massive drain on your funds. Not only do you spend more on gifts and food, but bills and birthdays don’t stop. Because of this, the weeks before Xmas can be stressful and cause money issues. But for saving a little money this holiday season, there are numerous and simple things you can do.

Make Your Own Baked Goods

Like most, you probably go a little overboard on your Christmas food shopping. All the delectable delights are professionally packaged to appeal to your sense of the season. But you should resist the temptation to buy goodies. You can save a lot of money by making your own. Just a little bit of flour, some butter, and some chocolate are all that is required for homemade chocolate chip cookies everyone will love. Additionally, much of the same ingredients make moist cupcakes, buttery rolls, and delicious yule logs.

Replace Your Xmas Lights

Everyone loves Christmas lights. The magic of a winter wonderland is brought to life with proper lighting, and adults and kids alike share the joy of the holiday season. But some older lights can be a drain on your electricity. Filament bulbs are notoriously inefficient, and it might be time you consider replacing them. LED bulbs are more energy-efficient, using up to 90% less electricity. Additionally, they are very cheap to buy as well. Further, you can save a little more if you purchase a pre-lit Xmas tree rather than another set of lights.

Don’t Leave the Lights On

Although LED Christmas lights won’t cost too much to turn on, if cash is tight or you are watching your energy consumption, you can save more if you don’t leave them on. LEDs are very bright and look great even during the day. But you can effectively half your energy consumption and, therefore, bills by switching them on when it gets dark. Of course, the kids might have to wait all day for you to turn on the lights, but it’s something for them to look forward to. You can also save a ton of money on batteries if you leave decorative items switched off as well.

Cut Down Alcohol

If there is one time of year everyone loves a drink, it’s over the holiday period. But alcohol is a considerable expense. And in nations like the UK, the price increases all the time. So perhaps you could consider getting one bottle of wine rather than two or cut out alcohol completely. Alcohol-related incidents surge over Christmas. So, if you cut it out, you will enjoy your day more. Additionally, staying sober means you will get more done and reduce the risk of a turkey-carving accident. More importantly, you will remember the special day.

Wait for Sales Periods

Black Friday recently came and went, but it’s not the only sales period. It’s not even the only sales period before Christmas. Also, a recent study by the UK consumer group, Which?, found that 90% of Black Friday items were previously cheaper. Many retailers hold last-minute promotions leading up to Xmas. So you can hold off massive purchases until the January sales. Of course, the kids will want their gifts on the day, but your partner probably won’t mind if you’re going to save a little cash by gifting them a week later.