Christmas on a budget
Christmas can be an expensive time of year when you add up gifts, decorations, socialising and food. But don’t get your tinsel in a tangle. Follow our ideas for a thrifty festive season without missing out on any of the fun!
Create a Christmas Budget
A good starting point is to outline what you need to buy and how much it will cost. You might discover that the total is way over your budget and you’ll need to make adjustments. There are lots of things you can do to reduce your spending.
Student Discount
Your student ID card is like a magic wand! Sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans offer amazing discounts so before you buy anything, check out the offers first.
As an Ulster Uni student you can avail of exclusive offers and discounts which could save you money on gifts and socialising. Visit ulster.ac.uk/offers to find out more.
Make sure you have signed up for store loyalty cards as points can add up and you might be able to get a couple of gifts for free!
Priceless Parties
Party invites keep stacking up but your wallet's doing the limbo dance! Time to think outside the box so your festive fun doesn't mean empty pockets.
Do you need to say yes to every social event? Choose a couple of nights out that you just can’t miss or merge your friendship groups and create one big party!
Eating out over Christmas can be costly. The important thing is to spend time with your loved ones so suggest getting together for a ‘pot luck’ and everyone bring a different dish or try a ‘board night’ for something different. Each person has to bring a themed board of drinks and food.
Gift Yourself
“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa
You don’t have to spend a fortune on family and friends; being thoughtful goes a lot further than stacks of gifts. Think of what your loved ones like to do and recreate for them yourself.
Spa Day – Set up a home spa and pamper your friends with DIY facials and manicures.
Eating Out – Offer to cook someone a special meal of their choice.
Day Trip – There are lots of low cost or free activities you can do across Northern Ireland
Star Baker – You don’t have to be Mary Berry to bake tasty treats that make the perfect gift; choose an easy cookie or gingerbread recipe and pack them in a cute box. If the oven terrifies you, try a no-bake truffle or traybake recipe.
Jumper Joy
Buying an expensive Christmas jumper can be a waste of money if you only wear it a couple of times a year. Before you part with your cash, have a look online at pre-loved sites and in local charity shops. You might find a bargain or something really unique.
Making your own Christmas jumper isn’t as difficult as you may think. Take an old jumper and inject new life into it by pinning tinsel to it, sew on a few baubles or even use battery operated fairy lights as a necklace.
Get your crew together for a jumper swap. Everyone gets a new look without costing a penny.
Don't Panic
The most important thing to remember this Christmas is DON’T PANIC! Your true friends and family just want to spend time with you and won’t care what you spend. You’ll be glad come January you watched your spending and start 2024 debt free.