Christmas may well be the most wonderful time of the year but it’s also got to be the most expensive. With the cost of living only heading one way, there are plenty of people looking for a cheaper Christmas this time around.

Even those who are used to going all out at this time of the year are exploring ways to cut back where they can. The problem though is that people worry that a frugal Christmas means a second-rate one. We’re here to show you that’s not the case. Here are 10 ways where you can have a fantastic Christmas without the cost of living spoiling your fun.

Setting a Christmas budget

Okay, we promised a fun Christmas despite the cost of living and we’re starting with setting a Christmas budget. Granted, budgeting is far from exciting but we promise you that it can help you to achieve the kind of Christmas that you want.

If you want a cheaper Christmas, you need a clear plan of what you need and how much it’s going to cost. The budget is there so that you don’t go overboard and you resist the temptation to turn to your seasonal flexible friend (who very quickly becomes the enemy come January’s first statement!).

Rein in the generosity

We all want to treat those that matter to us but, when you’re looking to have a cheaper Christmas, do you really need to buy for every person you know? Do you even like that co-worker who you’re certain is stealing your lunch every day? Of course, you don’t, so why buy them a present? Make a list of who you’re going to buy for and stick to. When it comes to work colleagues, the likes of a secret Santa can be a fun, and affordable, way of holding on to the Christmas spirit.

Setting expectations

Let’s be honest, Christmas is all about the children. The issue here is that children get used to how a Christmas typically looks. This year, a typical approach is likely to blow your entire Christmas budget in a matter of minutes. That’s why you need to talk to children and set expectations. Certainly, older children are capable of understanding the cost of living crisis. Those who are younger, and still believe in Santa will need a different approach. Maybe Santa is focusing on the poor children from Ukraine to give them an extra special day? Maybe he’s ill and can’t carry as many gifts?

Buying second hand

If you’ve got a typical youngster, there’s a good chance that they may be after a PS5 or a Nintendo Switch. The problem is that these cost a small fortune! However, there are plenty of websites out there where you can pick these up second-hand. They cost significantly less and even come with a warranty. It’s not just game consoles though: there are so many places online where you can buy top-quality used goods and this will ensure that you stick to that Christmas budget.

DIY gifts

There’s a good chance that you’ve just read the words “DIY gifts” and decided that now is the time to run away and stop reading, but wait: bear with us. Homemade gifts can certainly help with a cheaper Christmas but they don’t have to be cheap and nasty! Get Googling and check out some of the many ideas that there are. You can spice up drinks, create stunning wall art or even knit a scarf. You can create anything that you want to.

Be frugal with the decorations

Thankfully, we’re not quite the same as some other countries where we’re in huge competition with our neighbours when it comes to decorating. However, we all still want to make our homes look as great as possible. When you’re trying to combat a cost of living crisis, be sure that you’re reusing decorations. Do you really need to splash out on new ones this year or can you reallocate that spend to another area of your Christmas budget?

Carry out a stock take

Before you get carried away and look to remortgage in an attempt to fill the fridge and freezer, take a look at what you already have. There are sure to be things lurking in a freezer that are still well within date and would make a perfect addition to your festivities. The average spend on food for the special day is £145. You can have a cheaper Christmas and cut this right back by making the most of what you have.

Points mean pounds

If you’ve been saving those ClubCard points (or any other loyalty points for that matter), now’s the time to cash them in. You can easily stay within your Christmas budget by using points and vouchers while still getting hold of the items that you want.

Points mean pounds

All those goodies may well look delicious but there’s a good chance that they’re on the pricey side too. Christmas cakes, mince pies, Christmas puddings and a whole host of other things can all be made from scratch. It’s the same as your pigs in blankets. Why buy the ones that are all wrapped and ready to go when you can save money by making this simple favourite yourself?

New Year’s Eve

The cost of living issues that we’re facing aren’t going to magically disappear at the stroke of midnight. It’s easy to have a cheaper Christmas only to go and then blow a fortune on celebrations for the New Year. Plan these celebrations now, and again set expectations. It’s easy to still have a great time without spending a fortune going out. Why not have friends and family around? Enjoy some snacks, some drinks and some great games. You’ll find that this is as much fun as you allow it to be and that you’ll definitely be saving money.