A Christmas Spentwell.
The crazy countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun. Here at Spentwell we love the festive season and to keep you on track we’ve outlined our top tips for making the most of it all, financially savvy of course.
1) Christmas Trees – There’s nothing quite like a real tree at Christmas. The most popular is the Nordmann Fir. Pop along to Ikea for up to 2.1m of Christmas for £29 AND you get a £20 voucher to spend in store between Jan – Feb 2020. Oh, and before you ask, yes, they are all grown here in the UK.
2) Growing Families – Start up a Secret Santa and turn that mindboggling and expensive gift list into one meaningful gift each. You can even up the amount you spend and make it extra special. You can turn it into a fun guessing game come Christmas day as you hand out the gifts from Santa’s secret sack. There’s even an app for it, check out ‘Elfster’ on the app store.
3) Shop Savvy – We spend over £18 billion every year on Christmas gifts. It’s no wonder the big brands save their best adverts for the festive season as they look to capture your imagination, and wallet.
Check out the secrets the shops don’t want you to know here and make the most of your hard earned money.
PS they’ve even included their top tips on slashing your supermarket bills here.
4) Make your own Christmas decorations – Okay I know, we’re all busy professionals, but if you’re feeling creative it adds a nice personal touch to your home. Go foraging for pine cones, fir branches, holly and perhaps some mistletoe. Your kids will love it, maybe even you big kids too.
5) Have a No Spend day – Christmas is one massive fair of magical moments with town centres filled with lights, carol singers and fun experiences. Here’s some ideas for Edinburgh to get you started:
- Night walk in Edinburgh – Follow in the footsteps of Janet Cardiff as her tale unravels, part game playing, part poetry, and even a murder mystery as you make your way through Edinburgh’s mysterious old town. More info
- The Three Sisters Pub – Free outdoor cinema throughout December.
- The Edinburgh Christmas Market – Walk around, soak up the atmosphere and take in the wide variety of visual and sensual experiences
- 24 Doors of Advent – Some of Edinburgh’s hidden gems throw their doors open for you to explore in all their glory.
- Community Christmas – Take in the winter projections and festival carol singing as Edinburgh Christmas tours round your neighbourhood. More info
Wish to escape the crowds? Make up some packed lunches and escape to The Royal Botanic Garden and watch the world go by. Or get in the Christmas spirit at night time with their magical festive illuminated trails. (costs apply for night trails)
For the more adventurous, try Arthur’s Seat or the Pentland Hills for some memorable walks and views of the city.
6) Go paper free – Every year in the UK we use over 83 square kilometres of wrapping paper which is ripped, torn and rolled up quicker than you can say ‘Merry Christmas’. Why not hide your gifts around the house for a fun Christmas Day hunt, or go Japanese and wrap your gifts in fabric (known as Furoshiki – which you can use year after year).
7) Mulled wine – That warm Christmassy hug in a mug, that’ll clean your wallet out at the Christmas market. Make your own before you wander the markets with this Christmas recipe (click here) . Pop it in your coffee mug/flask for a real pick me up as you wander through the Christmas madness. It’ll keep you festive for days to come.
8) Ward off those ills – Be it the self-induced (thanks Christmas party), or that spluttering work colleague next to you, there can be no escaping those winter bugs.
Go for supermarket/shop own brands when you reach for the medicine cabinet. Brand names all have patents lasting a certain number of years. After the patent expires, supermarkets/shops can create replica products, however they’ll retail for a lot less. Same products essentially, all approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, you just don’t pay through the nose for the brand name. That runny nose or pounding headache won’t notice one bit.
CAVEAT – This is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a professional and always read the label before purchase to ensure its appropriateness.
9) Fancy a tipple? I can’t deny I do love a visit to Marks & Spencer or Waitrose at Christmas, however I always remember the quality on offer at our German counterparts. Check out Decanter’s review of Aldi’s winter wine collection here. Exceptional quality and award wining wines you and your guests will love without the eye watering bills at the checkout.
10) Make it personal – The most meaningful gifts are not the expensive new iPads, latest kids gadgets or expensive branded clothes. It really is about the thought and effort, that’s what counts and creates the biggest impact with friends and loved ones.
Make your own family picture album, write your own Christmas poem to the one you love. Recreate that famous Love Actually carol singing scene if you wish. It’ll be treasured for years to come, and maybe even save you from those Christmas dishes…
11) Enjoy it – Yes, be Christmas savvy and keep that spending in check but be sure to enjoy the month ahead and make the most of it. After all, it only happens once a year and you work too hard not to enjoy it.
Doing it that bit more financially savvy, even more satisfying.
Keith
Spentwell.