Quirky ways to celebrate Christmas to save a bundle and still get what you want

Can’t afford Christmas this year? Well, one accountant thinks you can with his magical if not untraditional wallet-friendly celebration alternatives

The magic of Christmas is officially in the air. Twinkling lights, festive tunes, and that warm feeling of anticipation. But let’s be honest: the holidays often strain our wallets, leaving us with a financial hangover in January just when tax filing season hits.

This year, you can have a joyous and memorable Christmas without the added expense, according to Aatif Malik, director at Tax Accountant, who shares his top tips for a budget-friendly festive season by considering alternative celebrations:

1. Swap ’til You Drop: The Regifting Party

We’ve all received gifts that missed the mark. That’s where the regifting party comes in! Gather your friends and family for a fun and sustainable gift swap.

Here’s how it works:

• Pre-party prep: Create a WhatsApp group where people can share their wish lists (toys, clothes, etc.). This helps ensure everyone goes home happy.
• Quality control: Remind everyone to bring only gently used or unused items in excellent condition.
• Swap and socialise: Enjoy the festive atmosphere and the thrill of finding hidden treasures!
• Alternative: If a full-blown party isn’t your style, simply agree with your Christmas Day guests to exchange pre-loved items.

2. Potluck Perfection: A Shared Christmas Feast

Christmas dinner is a highlight of the season, but the cost of a traditional spread can be daunting. A potluck is the perfect solution!

Benefits:

• Cost-effective: Instead of one person shouldering the entire cost, everyone contributes a dish, dramatically reducing individual expenses.
• Variety is the spice of life: Enjoy a diverse and exciting menu with everyone’s culinary contributions.
• More money for merriment: Save your hard-earned cash for gifts or those post-Christmas sales.

Top tip: Coordinate the menu beforehand to avoid duplicates and cater to any dietary restrictions.

3. Secret Santa with a Thrifty Twist

Secret Santa is a classic for a reason! It allows for gift-giving without the pressure of buying for everyone.

Aatif’s Budget-Boosting Ideas:

• Set a Spending Limit: Cap the spending at £5 or £10 to keep things affordable.
• Charity Shop Challenge: Source your gifts from charity shops for a sustainable and budget-friendly option.
• Pound Shop Prowess: Challenge yourselves to find the most creative gifts within the confines of a pound shop.

4. Deck the Halls with Nature’s Bounty

Forget expensive shop-bought decorations! This year, embrace the beauty of nature.

Festive Foraging:

• Nature walk: Gather friends and family for a festive foraging adventure. Collect holly, evergreen branches, pinecones, and other natural treasures.
• DIY decorations: Get crafty and turn your foraged finds into unique and beautiful decorations.
• Eco-friendly sestivities: Reduce waste and celebrate Christmas in an environmentally conscious way.

5. Celebrate on the 27th

This might sound unconventional, but Aatif says here him out. He suggests more people take advantage of the post-Christmas sales and enjoy a festive feast at a fraction of the cost.

Double the celebration:

If you’re set on celebrating on the 25th, head to the supermarkets late on Christmas Eve to grab discounted items.

• Low-key 25th: Enjoy a relaxed day with board games, films, or DIY pampering. For those with young children, The Freelance Informer team suggests you might opt to have a few things under the tree and follow up with more surprise gifts discovered later following a trip to the shops. Some families still celebrate on the 6th of January, known as the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, so that is also something to consider to spread gift-giving on a budget. It could also become a new family tradition.

• Boxing Day bargain hunt: Hit the shops on the 26th to snag incredible deals on food, decorations, and gifts.
• Full-fledged festive fun: Host your main Christmas celebration on the 27th with all the trimmings, at a fraction of the price.

This Christmas, Aatif encourages us to ditch the financial stress and embrace creative, cost-saving alternatives. By thinking outside the box, he says you can enjoy a truly magical and memorable holiday season without breaking the bank.