We recently asked our members to share their top tips for saving money over the festive season. The response was incredible! From creative gift ideas to savvy budgeting, our members show it’s possible to celebrate Christmas well without overspending.
We loved the response so much, we’re rounded up a selection of your brilliant ideas here to help you have a festive season full of cheer without the financial stress. Which is your favourite?
1. Start early and plan ahead
Preparation is key for many of our members. Starting your festive planning early means spreading the cost and avoiding last-minute panic. While it might be a little late for this year, it’s never too early to start planning for next year:
“Start early, make lists, keep to budget.” — Terrie
“Start early about the end of September, it takes all the stress out of leaving it until the last minute.” — Denise
“I save from January, and it means I can get loads of different vouchers for food and gifts. Christmas is so much easier if you commit to saving from January.” — Katherine
(Talking of saving early, now’s a great time to set up a dedicated Christmas savings pot with us for next year! – here’s how )
2. Get creative with gifts
Handmade and thoughtful gifts can save money and mean so much more.
“I’ve made my own reed diffusers for the females I need presents for. Saved myself a fortune and it’s more personal!” — Lou
“Buy something they need but wouldn’t treat themselves to.” — KazLou
“Ask people what they’d like for Christmas. If it’s expensive, offer to put towards it rather than spending money on unwanted gifts.” — R. AJ
3. Secret Santa and gift swaps
Cutting down the gift list can save money and reduce stress. Secret Santa is a favourite with our members for families and friends:
“We do Secret Santa for anyone over 18 and set a budget of £20. It’s a win-win as we all get something we really want!” — Martin
“My friends and I started a Secret Santa for the kids. We set a theme like charity shop finds or a £5 limit. It’s fun and budget-friendly!” — Kirsty
4. Savvy shopping strategies
Members shared some great festive shopping tips too:
“Spread the Christmas spend across a number of months.. buy throughout the year when sales are on” — Juliet
“I put away £10 a week from my wages into a savings account and bought groceries bit by bit.” — Nick
“Buy presents from local charity shops. It helps others while gifting friends and family.” — Sandra
5. Food for thought
The Christmas feast is a big part of the season, but with a bit of planning you can stretch that budget even further:
“Buy Co-op saving stamps for your Christmas shop at a couple of pounds a week. It spreads the cost and earns you a bonus if you save a full card.” — Lisa
“Plan your food shop carefully and don’t buy too much – it’s easy to get carried away! After Christmas, supermarkets often heavily discount overstocked items, which can be a great way to stock up for well into the New Year. My favourite is jars of mincemeat – homemade mince pies until Easter out of 20p jars on a good year!” — Simon
6. Keep it simple
Sometimes the best memories aren’t about presents—they’re about spending time together.
“Time is the most precious gift we can give. Arrange catch-ups, do odd jobs for people, or invite them round for a cuppa.” — Natalie
“Time together is more important than presents. Make agreements with older family to not buy presents and just focus on the kids.” — Toni
7. And If all else fails…..
Some of your light-hearted tips made us smile – though we wouldn’t necessarily advise you try these out!
“Rum and more rum. Takes all the worry of spending away!” — Jane
“Fall out with everyone just before Christmas!” — Katy
We loved reading all your top tips and couldn’t agree more – Christmas is all about celebrating with loved ones, not the size of your shopping list. So, whether you’re crafting gifts, saving a little each month, or focusing on quality time, these tips from our members go to show how small changes can make a big difference.
