8 Christmas Tips
Christmas is fast approaching — that means the season of giving… and potentially excessive buying is upon us.
It has definitely been a while since our last proper Christmas, but slowly life is returning to normal and we can celebrate with our loved friends and family in person.
However, we all know how stressful Christmas can be, from picking out the best present possible to arranging a feast in the likes the world has never seen before. So we prepared a couple of tips so you can enjoy the festive season without the stress.
Plan ahead
Figure out what your budget is and plan accordingly — remember you still have bills to pay, there is no need to spend it all for one day of the year. To make it easier you can split the expenses into a ratio between the decorations, presents, food, and miscellaneous goods/services.
Vegetables can be prepared and frozen in advance and wrapping and tape can be bought before considering what present to buy.
Delegate roles
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If there are other people in the household you can delegate them to buy the food or decorations, or you can ask a friend to pick up a few bits and bobs on their way to the store.
Focus on what’s important rather than high-stress rituals
Do you really need to send an X-mas card to all your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours? Focus on just a couple of cards to immediate family and friends and wish the rest happy holidays either in-person or through social media.
The list of Christmas activities can seem overwhelming, so why not opt for something simple such as just putting on everyone’s favourite Christmas movie or a board game to keep people entertained for hours.
Being economical with presents
Presents don’t have to be lavish, it can be something meaningful or simple that you no longer use, which others might need. You can even handcraft gifts, which adds an extra sentimental value.
A popular idea these days is to partake in “Secret Santa” where you write your names on a piece of paper, scrunch it up and put it in a bowl. People then take turns picking a name from the bowl, who will be lucky ones to receive your gift. There is usually a limit to the cost of the presents such as £5-£20 — so that no one will overspend, therefore making gift-giving affordable yet entertaining.
Be vigilant when shopping online
If you decide to shop online, it is very important to read reviews of the seller or online marketplace so that you will have an idea of how trustworthy they are. Make sure to read the small print that may include additional fees or misleading information regarding delivery.
Always choose the most secure payment method which will allow chargeback in case the item is missing or arrives faulty.
Returning goods
In situations where the item does not meet the expectations, you must check the terms of conditions regarding returns and determine if there is an extra cost for returning goods.
Shop in-person
Sometimes it might be better to do your gift shopping in person. Some stores do discounts in-store rather than online so you may end up saving more money overall.
If you’re lucky you may even find some hidden gems.
Enjoy yourself!
The most crucial thing about Christmas is to well… enjoy yourself! After all, that is the point of the holiday season. If you find yourself stressed out for the season, lay back for a while and treat yourself to a nice hot cup of tea. And remember, if you need support with how you’re feeling you can reach out to organisations like the Samaritans.
On behalf of Citizens Advice Wokingham, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thanks to co-author Miriam Barry.
For more information on our work please visit our website www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk
