Help and Support During the Festive Season

Help and Support During the Festive Season

While Christmas can be a time of joy for many, it can also be challenging - mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. If you’re not feeling festive this year, that’s okay. Remember, help and support are available.

Money-Saving Tips for Christmas

The pressure to please loved ones and create the “perfect” Christmas often leads to overspending. Here’s a reminder - many people are also struggling financially during the festive season. If you’re overspending on gifts, loved ones may feel obligated to match that, even if they can’t afford it.

Budget Wisely

Plan your spending and avoid unnecessary debt. Stay away from “buy now, pay later” schemes, which can lead to financial stress. Instead, collect loose change in a jar and exchange it at your local supermarket’s coin machine - it’s surprising how much you can accumulate!

Shop Smart for Food

It’s tempting to overstock during Christmas, but ask yourself if you truly need everything you’re buying. Will it get eaten? Consider more affordable options, like swapping an expensive turkey for chicken, which is often cheaper and just as delicious.

Reconsider Unnecessary Gifts

Don’t feel obligated to buy gifts for everyone. Instead, have an open conversation about limiting gift-giving. Watch Martin Lewis’s advice on the “unnecessary present pact” here.

Explore Charity and Pre-Loved Shops

Save money by shopping pre-loved. Visit local charity shops or browse second-hand online marketplaces for bargains.

Try Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a fun, budget-friendly way to handle gift exchanges within a group. Set a budget everyone agrees on and enjoy the simplicity of buying for just one person.

Look for Deals

Keep an eye out for discounts and shop around to find the best prices. Use cashback websites for additional savings on your purchases.

Give the Gift of Time

Not all gifts need to cost money. Offer to babysit, clean, or run errands for loved ones. Sometimes, your time and presence can be the most valuable gifts of all. Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Prioritise what matters most to you, and remember - it’s the thought, not the expense, that counts.