When it comes to spending, things can get a little out of control around Christmas, especially if you have a large family. From basic groceries and supplies to kids’ presents and Christmas decorations, holiday expenses can build up to quite a sum. However, with several simple budgeting tricks, some DIY ideas and careful planning, you can throw a beautiful and festive family dinner that will remind your entire family about the true values of Christmas.
Start with a budget
Every party planning starts with defining a budget because this will prevent you from spending more than you can afford. You should evaluate how much money you will have during the holiday season, allocate an amount you can spend on your Christmas dinner and divide it among different categories. You should list all of your expenses and try to cut those unnecessary ones. Finally, you should also set some money aside for emergencies and unexpected costs.
Keep your eye out for bargains
When it comes to Christmas grocery shopping, there’s plenty of discounts and deals at this time of year, so keep your eyes peeled. Before filling up your shopping cart, you should compare prices in different stores to see where you can get the best deal. You should plan your dinner menu around sale items. You can find a range of cost-friendly products, two for one deals and other bargains that can save you a fortune. In addition, buying certain items in bulk, such as drinks, can help you reduce your costs significantly. However, remember to go to a store with a grocery list and to stick to your budget.
Be creative with the decorations
Decorating your home for Christmas will give it a magical, festive appeal that will capture the spirit of Christmas. However, instead of spending a fortune on new decorations, you should get creative. From repurposing your old decorations to finding some DIY projects, there’s a variety of ideas that will help you decorate your home on a budget. When it comes to table centrepieces, you should keep them simple and small yet elegant. You can use charming candles, decorated mason jars, pine cones and anything else you can think of.
You should also keep your little ones engaged in the process by asking them to help you out. There’s plenty of Christmas crafts for kids that you can later use to decorate your home. There’s no better way to spend time with your children than by sharing a fun activity together.
Think outside the box
Instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, there are other options that you can try that can really save you a fortune. For example, instead of preparing the entire dinner alone, you can throw a potluck dinner and ask your friends and family to bring something.
Another important aspect to think about if you’re having some relatives over for a few days is the accommodation. You should think of possible solutions for providing them with temporary accommodation. For example, there’s some high-quality but cheap furniture in Sydney where you can find great mattresses for your cousins. You can also consider other options, such as borrowing some sleeping bags or mattresses from your neighbours or sleep with your little ones for a couple of days.
Don’t forget the entertainment
While exchanging gifts can be fun, you should consider leaving this for later if you’re not planning to buy presents for everyone. However, if you do want to exchange gifts, you can set a limit of, for example, $20 per present. You can also think of some interesting Christmas games that will keep you all engaged, such as guessing Christmas carols, playing Christmas karaoke or Christmas movie trivia. You can also ask your kids to prepare a Christmas play for your guests. It can be really fun! You can help them make some puppets and prepare a simple scenario. Everyone will be delighted!
Although Christmas brings a lot of costs, you can get control over your expenditure with these simple ideas and throw a fabulous dinner for your loved ones on a budget.