To say this year has been strange is an understatement. Many of us have lost our jobs, changed ours career or have just had to be more creative in making money while in lockdown.

And while all this has been going on, we've had to be more frugal with our money in general. With Christmas just around the corner, now is as good a time as any to start watching the pennies. So here are ten tips (with the help of Kevin Mountford, co-founder Raisin UK) on how to save for Christmas…

1.  Declutter and sell

Now is the best time to spend an evening organising a massive declutter. Even better is you can do this over a weekend and chuck out everything you don't need. For smaller items, donate them to a children's charity – children this year more than ever will be struggling.

Alternatively, sell them! One person's loss is always another person's treasure. If this isn't enough, look more towards the future and saving for next Christmas. Every month set aside £50 for 11 months, which means you will have an extra £550 for Christmas in 2021. Less stress.

2. Save on food bills

We’ve all been there, the Christmas Eve food panic – but think about what you’ll need in advance. Try not to overbuy and have a shop around to get a feel for what you really need compared to what you want.

Alternatively, (if lockdown rules allow) and if you have a plan set in place to host people around for Christmas, get each family member to bring an item. Siblings can be in charge of bringing the vegetables whilst cousins can be in charge of bringing the roasties. Not only will this invite a debate over who's more pro sprouts and who doesn't like their broccoli, but it's a financial burden off your back.

3. Calling all gift cards

Gift cards can be used for shopping online for presents – and you could also use them to shop around for discounts when it comes to food and drink. We know that the alcohol side of things can rack up the price of Christmas itself – but with so many discounts and offers out there at the moment, it would be silly to not use them.

Try to buy local if you can, and shop for deals or bundles (make sure these are bundles that you can ACTUALLY save on). You might even end up saving on delivery options if you buy in bulk, but make sure it works in your favour.

4. Put the commute money away

This won't apply to people that walk to work,  but any money that you are saving on commuting over the next few weeks should be used better elsewhere. This money that you've pulled back can be used to buy extra food, extra presents or even extra decorations.

However, don't think of it as EXTRA money. It's not really extra, and with the way things are going – it's best just to act like it's not there and pop it away in a savings account.

5. Forget the £4 Christmas sandwiches 

We all know they are ridiculously scrummy. We know they taste so so good. But (there's always a but) they aren't saving friendly. If you're working from home – opt for healthier and more cost-effective lunches. Think of it this way, if you were to buy a £4 Christmas sandwich every day during November, that's £80 saved working from home.

You might have plenty of opportunities to make Christmas sandwiches on Boxing Day and thereafter, so save it for then and save your money for Christmas.

6. Secret Santa 

If you have a large family, maybe it would be worth just doing a secret Santa. Put all names in a hat and only buy one gift for one family member. Have a limit on the spend and you will be shocked how much time and money you save. Even doing secret Santa amongst the adults (you can always still buy for the children) will cut costs in half and you will feel so much better for it.

Another option would be to have an agreement with the family that you don't go above a spending amount for each person – this takes the pressure off and allows you to budget accordingly.

7. Regifting

Controversial or not, there’s nothing wrong with regifting presents if money is tight this year, and realistically, most people are in the same boat. Having a sort out and finding things that would be good to regift could save you buying those last-minute corner shop gifts for your partner’s workmates, or your second cousin's third cousin who you haven't seen since 2016.

If you can keep things aside throughout the year for this – you’ll save on excess when it comes to Christmas. As a side note, if I spot something that a friend or family member would like throughout the year, I'll buy it for them to gift them on their birthday or at Christmas. It helps spread the cost of Christmas – and even better if it's in the sale!

8. Make your freezer your best friend

Too many people make the mistake of shopping for food on Christmas Eve, Boxing day, New Years Day, and so on. Again, you will be very shocked by how much money you actually spend on food when it comes to doing these events. Assess your food situation after Christmas dinner, who says bubble and squeak isn't still as good as it was a couple of years ago?

Also, when you're cooking or baking – try and batch cook to freeze some for another time. Those Molly's Cookies will freeze nicely for when friends or family pop over to visit – 7 minutes in the oven and hey presto – homemade goodies that cost a fraction of what you'd spend at the shops!

9. Think about the environment 

Cards, wrapping paper, gift bags, etc, these might all seem really cute and bubbly at the time, but realistically they’re all going to be binned within 20 minutes of present opening. If you do want to spend money on these, purchase them when they are at their lowest prices after Christmas (even baubles are 10p a few days after). That way they can be stored for next year, and at least that's a cost that can be deleted from next year's list.

On the list of things to buy in the sale are Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Christmas tree decorations, gift bags, general Christmas decorations including wreaths, candles and home decor.

10. Reassess your usual spend

Unfortunately, this year it looks like that new Christmas party dress and a trip to Winter Wonderland is off the cards. Think about how much you usually would have budgeted for these events, and put it away in an account either to put towards gifts or food or just to save – you’d be surprised how much we spend in the run-up to Christmas as well as the big day itself.

This will put you in a good position when it comes to the New Year, and you might actually be shocked and permanently change your spending habits. My next goal is to do like my friend Donna and have all her Christmas presents bought by November, meaning December's funds are solely based on food and last minute items. No rush, no pressure, no fuss. It will happen one year!

How do you save for Christmas? Do you spread the cost of purchases or are you a last-minute buyer?

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