Doing Christmas on a budget is best if you preplan and purchase things like bonbon crackers, gift wrap, cards, napkins, etc in the after christmas sales. Often you get them for a few cents and that saves a huge amount.

I have a problem with the very first item on this list! Wrapping presents in alfoil! For one, the good alfoil needed to even attempt this costs a packet! And secondly, no matter how good the foil is, it still rips and tears. I cannot even imagine trying to wrap pressies with it. Although I do admit it would look pretty cool

Just don’t get carried away with anything, really.

I try and stick to a budget. I make lists of what I;m buying for each person and work my budget together with the list.

Haha I wrapped some presents in alfoil last year as I ran out of paper. Worked a treat! I usually buy it in the sales cheap though and have plenty of wrapping paper

I buy wrapping paper and cards at the end of the festive season when they’re on special ready for the following year.

Some great tips that I would like to implement. I also love the piece of trivia at the end of the article.

I limit my presents to only 3 each per person 2 small gifts and 1 big present
and the small gifts are usually no more then $10 so then I can concentrate on the big one

A few good ideas there. I’ve got taken note and cut back on people and will bake afew things for the aunts n uncles instead of buying gifts.
Also hosting lunch so I have to keep
An eye on the food budget

I’m home making some thing this year. And yes, limiting who you buy for is a good idea especially when you have you’re own kids etc. More money!
Although we are planning on limiting pressies for our kids to just a few good thing because we know family will give them presents as well.

Christmas is pretty much sorted here. My biggest expense is for our grandson, who’s 3 1/2 and we spoil him. Food isn’t an issue, hubby is working, daughter is staying home, son is interstate, so I’ll be on my Pat Malone for the day.

Good to re-read this one so it sinks in haha

I already bought few presents

With no close relatives here, we save there and most know only send e cards, so that is a saving. I use to keep a book with who sent cards as it was getting out of control and if no card for three years without a good reason, then no card was sent. As for presents my husband’s family do not do this and my siblings do not talk to me, so that saves too.
Christmas also includes three of my children having birthdays, so yes that time of the year is well budgeted for.

I am guilty of over spending and over gifting it’s definitely time to rein it in

I usually buy things way before it’s time to think about Christmas, like at least 9 months before. I’m nearly finish my Christmas shopping already. But some great ideas here.

I buy things on sale, and keep a list so I know everything I have brought, I am 90% finished already

I like these tips a lot. Thanks for sharing. I need that reminder that I don’t have to buy something for everyone. I like the facts in the “Did you know…” section. Very interesting.

All our extended family lives oversees and we just moved so haven’t build up close friends yet. I’m happy to spend our Xmas budget all for ourselves. I agree that xmas paper isn’t the most expensive and foil isn’t a environmentally a good choice. I think actually using old news papers is rather nice to wrap and fancy it up with a red ribbon.

Wrapping paper is cheap enough in comparison to foil. I like to wrap gifts in things like tea towels etc so the recipient can re-use the ‘paper’.