Have a Very Merry Budget Christmas

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine….it’s that time of year when we try with varying degrees of success to emulate the festive displays splashed across the pages of those glossy magazines !

If you’re anything like me, the halls that should be decked with boughs of holly come a poor second to those picture perfect scenes and as for the table decorations….! But don’t forget it’s not about creating perfection - it’s all about family and friends coming together to decorate mantlepieces, trees and tables with those treasured mementoes from Christmases past – nostalgic baubles, tinsel and glitz kept in attic boxes for 11 months of the year.

This year of course we have the cost of living crisis to deal with, which, for many means scaling back present lists, more considered purchases and clever ways of doing Christmas on a budget without following in Scrooge’s footsteps!

Decorations

Some of my decorations must be at least 25 years old and yet they come out year after year bringing pangs of nostalgia for my children’s school days and Christmas craft sessions at brownies and cubs. I buy a new bauble or two each year to mark the passing of the old and the bringing in of the new but in the main the old favourites have stayed the course.

I often add fir cones attached to a piece of string or gold thread with a glue gun or cinnamon sticks bound with red ribbon as extras if the tree looks a little bare. Paper chains are also really effective strung across the ceiling and children will have great fun making them. You can either buy them ready to lick and stick or make your own from sticky paper. Gather holly and ivy, and if you have a real tree use any discarded branches to decorate the mantlepiece or tops of picture and windowsills.

Food

With turkeys in short supply this year and out of the price bracket for many, why not try an alternative roast such as chicken, beef pork or a nut roast and go to town on the vegetable dishes to create a mouth watering main.

Add some caraway seeds to red cabbage for a vibrant colourful side dish, or create sprout petals and add to carrot water for a couple of minutes until wilted. Make your own bread sauce from stale slices and pigs in blankets by wrapping streaky back bacon round chipolata sausages.

Bake your own mince pies – a cheaper, tastier option – using the cheapest mincemeat and adding some booze, brandy, a liqueur or whatever alcohol you have to hand for a superior flavour.

Gifts

Homemade chutneys are always well received and can be included in a hamper. Cooking apples, marrow, onions, raisins – whatever fruit or veg you can find – jam jars and some sticky labels and you can’t go wrong just as long as you sterilise those containers well. Sloe and damson gin is another great gift and can look very appealing in an attractive bottle with a festive ribbon around the neck. Sloes are still in abundance in the hedgerows so there is still time if you’ve not made yours yet.

Easy recipe for Sloe Gin

500 gm ripe sloes, 250 gm golden caster sugar, 1 litre of the cheapest gin you can find

Method: Wash and prick the sloes and tip into a 2 litre glass jar or two smaller jars, add sugar and gin, then seal the jar. Once a day for a week give the jar a good shake, then store in a cool dark place.

Home-made cookies and shortbread are also welcome gifts and you can always go down the cheat’s route using cookie mix ! Pack and display in a festive tin or jar.

Crafts

If you’re keen on knitting, then you’ve probably got it covered with socks, scarves, gloves and hats obvious choices for a super personal and thoughtful gift. You can pick up cheap balls of wool from charity shops and craft fairs, so keep an eye out for vibrant Christmas colours.

Buy a cheap wooden frame which can be decorated or personalised and put together a montage of photographs celebrating a special occasion or a series of personal highlights of 2022.

I’ve offered just a few suggestions here but there are so many ideas online to help reduce the cost of Christmas whether you’re looking to make your own decorations and gifts or find cheap Christmas food alternatives.

And whatever you do and however much you manage to save, ENJOY every moment of your very merry budget Christmas.

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