This year I have set aside a little money in my fortnightly budget and put money away from Christmas and school holiday fund. I also keep my reward points and use this at Christmas time. I have a nice little stash to spend on presents this year. I am so glad i took the time to update my budget in January and add this to it.

In the after Christmas sales I buy my wrapping paper, Napkins, bon bons, christmas cards, candles, etc. Most things are under half price

We budget – it is only the way to go to ensure Christmas is a joyous time and not a stressful time.

Well, I’ve started buying gift already 3 months ago. If there were sales or special discounts, I took advantage of them. I think it helped a lot.

mid year sales are fantastic and the stores usually have amazing layby options too. big w was great this year with layby till december

i do struggle getting my nefews x3 presents because they only go by brand name and expensive stuff. last year i ended up getting them a gold class ticket each and 1 tshirt, threw in a bag of m&m’s.
im not exactly the favourite aunty for that but what can i give them when they have everything, like really everything. am i looking forward to this year xmas?? not exactly!!

I like to shop all year round. Check out the bargain bins and sales. I’m usually well stocked by the time Xmas rolls around and stressing less

I have the kids make lists of anything they can think of so i have plenty to choose from. List has to be done before the end of the september holidays and i have a box for each kiddo and grab things when on sale and stash them away till christmas!

if you shop this week a lot of shops have already started their sales. So you can save masses!

I think set a certain amount for each child/couple.

There are sales everywhere and all the time at the moment. It makes it easier to shop for Christmas. I have less to buy, as my nieces and nephews want money but I’m loving the sales so much and have grabbed a few bargains.

Great tips
My family been lucky this year our bank lets us put money away every week for Christmas it’s a Christmas club account, we can touch it at all only 1 day a year of course around Christmas time. It has helped us save enough to get through Christmas it’s not heaps of money but it’s more than what we had this time last year as we are terrible savers. & every little bit of money we saved adds up

Good tips.
I’ve never done Xmas presents for my family oversees, saves some money

These are some great tips to follow. We only buy for the children which saves us a lot of money

Great tips for 2017

Great tips for next year.

Yeah, no such thing as budget at Christmas

Best money saver tip is not to just head into a shop to “get inspiration” of what to buy someone. The displays will be set up to make you purchase something. Rather have a particular gift in mind, get a voucher or leave. If you are tempted (especially toys for kids) imagine that potential gift in a few months time when you are having a clear out. SO often those nice packages of toys etc. end up unwanted, or broken, or abandoned in the pile of stuff that will head to the op shop. Think about decluttering all the “Stuff” one day and you wont buy unless it is really needed! For further motivation think of all the damage to the environment that has been done producing the item!

Number 2. is a great idea. We are considering that next year. Names will be put in the hat and drawn this year ready for next year. It gives you a year to decide what to buy and do so during the year at sales. Some close relatives may give a child an extra gift if they wish to but not put it with the others in the arrangement. In our case the idea is for adults too. One family has 3 children, another 2, and the other one has one. It means the family with the most children have the most to buy. Luckily both parents work but it could be a struggle for them. At the moment I have no idea what to buy 3 who are directly related to me. Trying to get hints from the parents has not been easy especially as apart from clothes buying for a 3 month old is not going to be easy.

Despite trying to budget and shop around it’s just a very pricy time of the year. I just like to bless all my friends and their kids as well and spend many hundreds of dollars on only them…let alone our own family.