How are the funds this Christmas?

Are you skinted or minted this Christmas?

Can you believe it’s on top of us again, don’t know about you but I certainly will be watching the budget this Christmas. Was it only 2 years ago that we splashed out obscene amounts on just about anything we fancied? Still no matter how broke we are it always seems hugely important to celebrate with our loved ones, whether it’s cheap and cheerful or blow the budget gifts you will get sucked in by the advertising, jingles and shop windows and the spirit of generosity will prevail. Time enough to worry in January! It reminds me of being away on holidays when invariably I overspend with a ‘what the hell’ attitude until I come home and face the music, or to be more precise the credit card bills!
For some of us Christmas is the most joyful occasion, lots of time to spend with family and friends, parties, new clothes, and the hope of some gorgeous presents. Yet for every one of you who totally loves this time of year there are others who detest and loathe it. I must admit I’m not one bit sorry that at last we have waved farewell to the excessive spending and all the over the top nonsense that typified the last number of years. It really should be far more about the fun of spending time together, eating (and drinking) too much than seeing how many presents are shoved under the tree.
Can you really do it on a shoestring though? I honestly believe you can and here are just a few ideas to get you started:
* Plan
Decide how much you plan to spend. List the names of people getting gifts, and what you might get them. Then roughly decide how much you plan to spend on each.
* Check out sales early.
Gone are the days when sales only occurred in January and June. Now you can find sales on in practically every store year round.
* Always ask for a discount.
I do this no matter where I shop. It’s amazing the number of times you will get another 10% off just by asking ‘can you do better’?
* Get creative
Make your own gifts. Bake some cakes or biscuits, sure to be appreciated.
* Give your time
This can be one of the nicest things you can do. An offer to cook dinner, babysit, mind the dog, the list is endless but it can be such a personal gift. My sister had a ‘big’ birthday recently and her friend Kay called around early in the morning armed with smoked salmon, eggs, champagne, and loads of goodies to cook breakfast for all of us. I thought it was the nicest idea. (and no, we didn’t drink the champagne!)
* Kris Kindle
Instead of buying individual presents for the family everyone agrees on a fixed amount to put into the pot. Then each person picks the name of the one they buy a present for. This means each person gets one good present instead of loads of tacky cheap ones. Works great!
* Wrap it up
Buy some bows and ribbons to decorate. Take time wrapping.Don’t you just love to see a gorgeous gift lovingly presented.


Now that that’s out of the way …what to wear! It’s the one time of year we all crave for something new, even if it’s just for the day. If you really are watching the few bob then I suggest you go to your wardrobe and pull out some of the clothes you already have. How can you accessorise them? This year it’s all about corsages, they come in pretty much every colour and will instantly glam up the simplest dress or cardigan. So will a fab belt.
Have you been watching X Factor? If you have then you will have seen the amazing headpieces that Cheryl Cole and Danni Minogue have been wearing. I think they are stunning and am busy trying to source them. You will definitely get similar ones in River Island but check local boutiques as these will be a big hit this Christmas.
Buy for your shape. No matter how fantastic the dress looks on your pal forget it, leave it there, unless your shape is identical to hers it will not look the same on you!
Get yourself a bit of glitz! Sequins are so on trend, as is velvet. If you have either then you will be bang up to date.
Most of all enjoy yourselves. If someone else is cooking dinner then put the feet up and make the most of it. You deserve every bit of pampering you get.
Have a great Christmas!