Christmas is the time year for festive joy, sparkling lights, and crisp winter mornings. It’s also a time of year that can cost a small fortune if your not careful, especially for those of us that are raising in families on our own as single parents. Happily, there is a way to provide a magical Christmas for your little one without breaking the bank. Read on to find out more.

Do budget

It is very easy to get carried away when spending money at Christmas time. After all, there are always more delicious edible treats you can buy, and the kids will perpetually find just one more toy to add to their Christmas list.

However, there are some things that can stop you going well over what you want to spend, and by consequence having a miserable and skint January. The first is going for the big four gifts for the kids. These are something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This then covers all the main bases and will stop you from overspending on all the little things that don’t really get used after Christmas is over.

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The other option is budgeting for the entirety of the festivities. Of course, for your budgeting to be successful, it is crucial to be realistic in the first place. Don’t set £10 for the Xmas dinner if you know the turkey alone will cost £9. Instead, think about what you can afford and what you need and set your budget that way. Then you will be able to provide a fantastic Xmas for your little one, and won’t need to take out a second mortgage to do it.

Don’t confuse what the kids want and what you want

Some people believe they have to put on the perfect Christmas for their kids, but before you spend your life savings on a snow machine and real-life reindeer, stop and think whether that is something that your children will actually want or appreciate? You may find that the excitement for them is tied up in other things such as opening presents on Xmas morning and getting to eat their favorite treats.

In fact, you may even discover that you are trying to bolster your own Christmas experience through theirs and that you may not need to go to such extreme lengths as you thought! Something that will free you to be relaxed, as well as not broke when Christmas day actually rolls around this year!

Make your own food

While buying ready-made items that just need opening and then can be shoved in the oven on Christmas morning is definitely convenient, especially if it’s just you on kitchen duty, they don’t tend to be very cost effective.

That is why you should consider making your own Xmas food instead. In fact, for the price of a pre-stuffed, oven-ready turkey you can probably get the raw ingredient for an entire dinner that will not only feed you but friends and wider family as well.

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Also if you don’t fancy doing all that preparation and cooking yourself why not invite people over for lunch and share the jobs out? Then you will have a house full of loved ones and a delicious and cheap Xmas lunch as well. It’s a win all around!

Make your own decorations

Do you know what is expensive at Christmas? Buying new decorations every year to keep up with the trends! In fact, doing so can significantly reduce the amount of money you have spare for gifts and food.

Instead, it’s much wiser to recycle the decorations that you used last year such as the ever popular, but reasonably priced naughty elf. You can even get elf on the shelf ideas so you won’t be repeating the scenes that you made last year. Something that will delight the kids , make your home feel festive, and won’t cost you a fortune, either.

Of course, the other option is to get crafty and make your own decorations as well. You can even get the little one involves a create a pleasant Christmas memory for them. Luckily, there is a wealth of ideas and designs online to choose from, so you are bound to find something that fits your tastes and budget level.  

Don’t overlook Christmas deals

Lastly, do remember that many shops run some pretty good deals over Christmas. These include online voucher codes, 3 for 2 on gifts that often include toys and kids clothes, and well as reduction of tins of Christmas chocolates, and even small gifts suitable for their little one’ Xmas stocking.

Just be sure to start shopping as early as possible, and then you will be able to seize each good deal as it comes along, and save a pretty penny while providing a wonderful Xmas, at the same time.


Vicky Charles

Vicky is a single mother, writer and card reader.

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