With Christmas nearly upon us once again it’s time to try and save some money and help spread the budget. Just because shops try to get us to spend thousands on festivities, doesn’t mean you can’t have a merry old time with a cheap Christmas.
Here are a few handy hints that may help to ease the budget pressure of Christmas.
- Christmas Club Account: Shop around and see what stores or butchers offer a Christmas club account; it’s not too late to put a few dollars in each week so you have some money to shop at Christmas time.
- Lay-buy gifts: With sales on everywhere at the moment now is the time to get those gifts for grandchildren.
- Gifts cards: now is the chance to buy a $20 gift card once a month if you can afford it as gifts.
- Homemade Gifts: Time to make your own jam, chutneys and Christmas puddings which can be given as gifts.
- Get Creative: Be realistic if you can’t afford gifts – you can still make something, a lovely knitted scarf, gloves, socks, throw rugs – they are always appreciated and it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?
How To Have A Delicious Cheap Christmas
- Cook From Scratch: Try cooking from scratch as the more preparation and processing food has gone through before you buy it you ultimately end up paying more at the checkout for it.
- Stew unfashionable meat cuts. Look out for ox tail, ham hocks, bacon bones and pop in a slow cooker to tenderise and make into a hearty and filling stew.
- Make A List: Always shop with a list and don’t impulse buy.
- Seasonality: Buy fresh vegetables and fruit in season or on special, make jams or divvy up amongst friends.
- Try to shop near closing time: this is when products are marked down heavily.
- Go Simple: Don’t go for fancy packaging – these products are generally more expensive. Opt for house brand items wherever you can.
- Grow your own veggies if you can. A home-grown tomato has the best taste and I have been picking my own in winter! Much better than paying extreme prices for them.
One-Bowl Chocolate Cheap Christmas Cake On A Budget
You don’t need to shell out heaps to serve a delicious cake. Whip up this cheap cake and then go all out on the festive decoration.
Most people have these ingredients in their pantry. Decorate with mint leaves and cherries to make it look Christmassy!
1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
1/3 cup cocoa, sifted
1 cup castor sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and flour or grease and line a 24cm cake tin and set aside.
Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix on high for 4 minutes.
Pour into cake tin and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center.
Ice with your favourite frosting and decorate as desired.
Did you know…
Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzer, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female.
Ancient peoples, such as the Druids, considered mistletoe sacred because it remains green and bears fruit during the winter when all other plants appear to die. Druids would cut the plant with golden sickles and never let it touch the ground. They thought it had the power to cure infertility and nervous diseases and to ward off evil.
Early illustrations of St. Nicholas depict him as stern, commanding, and holding a birch rod. He was more a symbol of discipline and punishment than the jolly, overweight elf, children know today.
What are your top tips to have a very merry Cheap Christmas? Tell us in the comments below.
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Lovesthecuddles replied
- 01 Nov 2020 , 9:12 am
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