5 tips to create the Christmas you want without blowing the budget.

Christmas is that time of the year where most of us tend to be quite generous. Generous with presents and food. Generous with our spending and our time. Of course that is what Christmas is all about but more often than not this feeling of generosity leaves us with a financial hangover by the time the New Year kicks in. It is possible to have the Christmas that you want – and still be generous – without blowing your budget.

Here are 5 tips on how to plan for Christmas on a budget.

1. Create a realistic Christmas budget.

This is the first step in creating the Christmas that you want. A realistic budget is one that is within your financial means. Take your time and list everything you intend to buy this Christmas. This includes food, presents, Christmas decorations and any other Christmas supplies. Indicate how much you intend to spend on each item and stick to the set limits when shopping. Creating a budget puts you in control of your expenditure and prevents you from getting into debt.

2. Be creative with gifts. In as much as Christmas is all about giving you don’t have to go overboard with the gifts that you get your family and friends. The best gift that you can get someone is the gift of time or experience.

Your uncle probably doesn’t need another knick-knack and your grandma will appreciate the gift of your company for the afternoon. Many people have enough “stuff” and studies show that the majority of people get more value from experiences than from gifts.

Homemade presents are another great money saving idea this Christmas. Get creative and craft a personalized present using stuff that you have in your home.

3. Pay for gifts and supplies with rewards points. If you possess a rewards card that you have been using to collect points through the year, Christmas will be a great time to redeem the points for gifts and supplies. Check your points balance and see what you can get with them.

As Christmas approaches, check for items that can earn you more points so as to build your points balance.

4. Shop early for gifts and Christmas supplies. Things tend to get expensive as Christmas approaches and it is for this reason that you should do your Christmas shopping early. Get food supplies early when they are fresh and keep them stored or refrigerated in preparation for Christmas. Consider buying in bulk as suppliers offer great discounts when you buy in bulk.

Shopping early also allows you to shop around for the best prices for gifts and supplies before making a purchase. This saves you cash in the long run.

5. Make travel plans early. If you intend to travel this Christmas, plan for your travels early and in advance. Planning ahead prevents you from paying top dollar for flights and accommodation. Shop for deals and travel discounts and include expenses such as food, fuel and travel insurance in your planning.