Now that January is almost over, we can begin to reflect on the holiday season. How was Christmas 2016? Did you have an amazing time, or did you find yourself stressed, worried about money, and buying gifts at the last minute?
If you belong in the latter category, you’re not alone. Most of us tend to leave a lot of the typical holiday preparations too late, and then we have to deal with those smug people who have finished all their Christmas shopping by the end of November and actually get to relax and enjoy the holiday season. But don’t worry- it is possible to actually transform yourself into one of those smug people, and you’ll be so thankful you did by the time Christmas 2017 rolls around.
My Voucher Codes has some great tips, and have justified exactly why you should begin saving for Christmas 2017 this month, instead of waiting until the holidays have crept up and are basically around the corner.
The company has released a great video, which you should definitely watch if you’re still on the fence about even thinking about the holidays this early in the year.
Keep in mind that preparing for December doesn’t need to consume your every waking thought this year, and there are a few things you can do to make sure that the holidays go smoothly.
Here are some tips to help you save for Christmas 2017 this year:
Set up a dedicated account
Sure, you have a normal savings account (and if you don’t, you definitely should), but if you’re like most people, you just kind of expect money to appear for Christmas, or you end up spending too heavily on the credit card and January turns into a sad month.
Now’s the time to set up a dedicated Christmas account. Just a small weekly or monthly transfer into that account can have a huge effect- just £5 a week is £260- the price of a coffee and a piece of cake could easily take care of your grocery bill, for example. Save a little more, and £10 a week is £520- that’s a huge chunk of change that could cover most of your Christmas gifts.
Buy throughout the year
It’s a good idea to make a list of all the people you need to buy gifts for and keep it in your purse or wallet. This allows you to mentally keep an eye out for gifts that are reduced through the year, and you can buy gifts as you see them, instead of frantically running out to get those last minute presents on Christmas Eve.
Think outside the box
If you’re given gift card vouchers and can’t think of anything you particularly want, consider using it to buy a gift for someone on your list. Another great idea is to enter a bunch of competitions, and if you win a prize it can always go towards a loved one’s presents.
Have a look at the video below for more amazing tips:
