PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS 2018

I know, I know, I know. Christmas 2017 hasn't even been yet but that doesn't mean you can't start thinking about next Christmas. I started preparing for this Christmas last year and it has made a massive difference to my sanity. No need for stretching the budget or battling my way through busy shopping centres. Especially being in the last trimester of my pregnancy!

So I thought I would share my top tips for saving money, time and your stress levels.

Christmas Supplies and Decor- once Christmas is over this year lots of shops will be trying to offload their excess Christmas stock at low prices, now is the time to buy your Christmas crackers, wrapping paper, labels, gift bags, decorations and whatever else you may need. This not only saves you money but it also means your all set for next year. And don't stress you don't have to brave the shops on Boxing Day, a lot of sales are online too and even if you go to the shops a few days after Boxing Day you'll still be able to pick up some great deals.

Make a List- as the years go by I've found myself buying for more and more people. Families grow, from in laws to new additions of babies. I find writing a list of people I'm buying for and rough ideas of the presents I want to buy them helps keep it clear in my head and also allows you to shop around for the best prices.

Shop the Sales- there are so many sales throughout the year, End of Season, End of Financial Year, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day. If you keep an eye out and buy things on sale you'll save yourself a fair amount of money. For my daughters stocking stuffers I purchased end of season summer stock last year in the sizes she'll be this year with most of it being at least half price. If you managed to pick up some cheap wrapping paper and labels or have some left over from the previous year you can wrap the presents as you buy them to stop them from being discovered.

Be Thoughtful- you don't have to spend a heap of money to show that you care. I pride myself on picking presents  for the people I love that I know they'll love, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending a fortune. If you struggle buying for people, take notes throughout the year, to be honest most of us have our phones near by at all times so it's easy to take notes. If your out at the shops with a friend or loved one and they spot something and say, "oh I'd really love that," make a little note.

DIY- on that ever growing list of people you have to get gifts for, inevitably there are going to be people you're not that close to, whether it's a work colleague or some distant aunt or cousin. A great way to stretch the budget is to make gifts. You can bake a batch of cookies big enough for 4 gifts and it still work out cheaper than one box of chocolates, seriously boxes of chocolates are ridiculously expensive. Biscuits, cookies, truffles, cakes, fruit mince pies, jams, chutneys, fudge, the list is endless of foods you can make to gift. If you're not confident in the kitchen you could give making bath salts, coffee scrubs or bath bombs a go. Or even buying things to make your own gift hamper, go to your local thrift shop or op shop and pick up a basket, go to your supermarket and fill it up, go to aldi or buy things on special like biscuits, a block of chocolate (much cheaper than individual chocolates), some crackers, jam, Nutella, anything you think this person will enjoy, you can tailor it anyway you like. Get some clear cellophane and ribbon and you've got yourself a personalised hamper. People really appreciate the personal handmade touch and it really can save you a lot of money.

Snapfish- I am absolutely obsessed with snapfish! They always have great promotions, you can make beautiful personalised gifts and you don't even have to leave the house! Perfect when you have small children. I like to take sneaky photos of friends and family throughout the year, at parties and family get togethers. Just give them the heads up and say you want to take some photos with you and the kids for example, so if they want to do their hair and makeup they have the opportunity. Come Christmas time you can have a great stash of photos to be used that can be made into calendars, mugs, fridge magnets, key rings, Christmas ornaments, canvas prints the list goes on and on. This is especially great for grandparents.

Savings- If this all sounds like too much to think about, putting away $25 a week will leave you with over $1,000 come Christmas time to get all your shopping done. Even in the lead up to Christmas there are usually some great sales on so if you shop smart you can save money and may even have some left over.

So in summary:
-Be organised, know what you want to buy and for who.
-Shop the sales throughout the year
-Be thoughtful, it's not about how much you spend, people appreciate the thought more
-DIY, if you can, make it yourself and save a tonne
-Personalised photo gifts, they'll realise you've been planning this gift all year, and if you order at the right time, you can also get a great deal
-And if all else fails, put away money throughout the year and brace the shopping centres in the lead up to Christmas

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