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How do we celebrate the big one after the shocker of a year we’ve had?
2020; the year we weren’t expecting.
The whole world has been flipped on its head and back again, and this is no different for the way that we approach Christmas. We need to shake it up, and approach the silly season with a little less silly and a lot more savvy.
And it can work. Really, really well.
This special time of year can be (wait for it) even more special and even more valued than that of years gone by.
‘HOWWWW GIRRRLL?’ I hear you shout.
Well, we now appreciate the time that we spend with those we love most. We’re no longer dreading the awkward family catch ups that see Uncle John asleep by 7pm after Nan’s Pav… and all of this on a budget too!
Here are five handy ways you can make 2020 Christmas the best that you’ve had… ever… on a budget and with just enough silly the world thinks your savvy ;).
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The Food
Start planning the meals now. I mean it. Jot down what you want to make, what you need to make and what you’d love to make.
Then use the process of elimination to finalise your Christmas Day menu.
It’s now time to research.
See what you can start buying and stocking now, and leave the rest to a closer date. $5 a week put away from now until Xmas will see you saving enough for a decent Roast Chook, couple of salads or cheeky deserts.
The key to food this year is ultimate preparation and planning, with less money spending. Be creative and find the ways you can use your time to save you cash. Woolworths has a great initiative for their rewards members when you can save your rewards cash for Christmas. I’ve clocked $50 to use in December, and this will go a hell of a long way when preparing gingerbread and home-made Baileys.
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The Gifts
The big one. Gifts. Let’s be real, the kids love this part. So it’s time to be a little more savvy than silly, and use the Kmarts of the world to gift up. Kmart has a lot of gifts that are cheaper in price, but also substantial in quality. There’s a reason for its cult following!
Another really handy tip for Christmas gifts is providing a voucher for an experience. Create your own voucher and use it for an experience to spend in 2021. It could be to the cinema, the zoo, the beach … you name it. It also gives you extra time to save for that day. And the memories that come with it!
Gifting an experience brings more than plastic and wrapping paper, it brings photo opportunities and a moment to enjoy with your favourite people.
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The Décor
Just recently I became acquainted with a cute little business called Cinquain. They design stylish Christmas ornaments at an affordable price. But, that wasn’t what sold me. It was the $7 Christmas baubles that you can have personalised and filled with… wait for it… GIN! Yep. That is correct.
Double these cute little baubles with your favourite sayings and use them as a prop on the Christmas table. They are the ultimate in stylish décor, easy on the hip pocket and shout ‘2020’ better than any other piece of décor that I’ve come across.
I’ve linked them HERE to save you searching.
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Santa
Letters to and from Santa are a hit. They’re also really great to cement the message that; ‘If you do not shower, you will not receive gifts’.
Instead of paying for personalised letters, emails, video calls you can absolutely do it yourself with the help of Apps like Canva. Easily gain access to Canva without spending a cent and use the hundreds of templates that make Christmas a little brighter.
Create your own personalised letters, Elf on the Shelf messages and even Christmas menus. It’s also a perfect idea for e-Christmas cards and messages to loved ones.
Again, it may take a little more time but it is one of the best ways to save on money.
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The Memories
The truth is, you don’t need a lot of money to have a Christmas you will never forget. Take the time to embrace Christmas morning with everything you have. Take photos until you run out of storage, craft your way into Mrs Claus’ good books and laugh until the food you ate at lunch feels a little unsettled.
Make the coffee, do the things, but most importantly… just enjoy being able to see the people you love for longer than an hour.
Who knows, you may even get to give them a mask-less hug as well!
This article was written by Natalie Scanlon, A Christmas Crazy, Gin-Drinking Mum who is also the Founder and Lead Copywriter of WritComm.
