Boring but necessary: take a clear headed look at your budget, writing down everything you normally buy. First time I did this I was horrified because the total was three times what I’d have estimated.
Then, based on your priorities, cut back. I keep a list, on my phone so it’s always with me, and refer to it for every purchase. If it’s not on the list, or a sensible substitute for something that is, I don’t buy.
Secret Santa, limiting the amount spent on gifts or doing a challenge like only spending £5 in a charity shop, or only giving homemade gifts can cut back on costs.
Do be very careful with homemade gifts. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing it can be more costly than a bought gift and still seem cheaper. Ingredients or craft materials can be costly especially in small amounts. And the costs of hampers, cellophane, ribbons, labels, packing, and pretty bottles and jars can really mount up. And that’s before you burn the fudge or cut the fabric too short!
Similarly I’d caution against the bargain thread unless you have nerves of steel and saintly self control. It’s a brilliant resource but it can be very compelling and it’s easy to get swept up in the thrill of a bargain you might not have needed!
But warnings aside, I do both homemade gifts and use the bargain thread. The dc make gifts, mostly baking and sweets, but some craft things too. These get spread out through December which takes up a fair few evenings.
I have a ds with asd who can’t cope with too much stimulation. So we don’t have a whirlwind of pantomimes, markets, ballet, carols, parties and shopping....and it’s very nice for being a more sedate season! We choose a few events to attend but not a lot. We also spread out the decorating, starting with the tree on 1st December and add a bit more and a bit more at a pace he can cope with. We make clove studded oranges, and paper snowflakes, and gather pine and holly.
We go on an annual drive to look at the lights, another drive out of the city on a clear night to stargaze. December is a busy month in our house, but still a cosy relaxed time. And the vast majority of what we do is free or very cheap.
Dd and dh love to skate and can usually negotiate a steep discount at an ice rink for buying tickets in bulk and having their own skates. I buy hers second hand and sell them on so in total they only cost me a couple of £ each year.
If you are doing days out one of my tips is to eat a proper meal right before you leave. You might still want to buy a treat when you’re out, but if dc aren’t hungry it’s only a treat. Or you could bring your own treats with you. Having dinner waiting at home either in a slow cooker or pre-timed oven, helps guard against the temptation of eating out afterwards.
If you like eating out plan it to take advantage of groupon deals or early bird sittings.
Good clothing makes a big difference in wanting to be outdoors so if you’re planning walks in the park or a wintry hike take a bit of time over clothes. Again it doesn’t have to be expensive. You need loose light layers, and a waterproof jacket. A peaked cap that keeps rain off your face will double the amount of time outdoors. Put reflective liners in shoes/boots.
We have a box of bits and pieces that get reused each year: dvds, books, and a Christmas jigsaw. It’s 1000 pieces and we work on it on and off in spare moments. At home, as teenagers, we used to love the jumbo crosswords in the papers and would all do a bit now and then. Those kind of big projects can be really nice as a family.