Christmas on a Budget - the reality of Holiday spending

The festive focus of the year
When shopping runs amock
And Christmas spending
Seems never ending
A holiday budget helps take stock

Taking stock is part of the usual christmas routine. Checking what provisions and groceries you have in store, what alcohol and beverages for invited guests and what christmas decorations survived from the previous year. With the current economic recession it's vital to take stock of how much money you have to spend on the holidays.

Christmas almost always costs more than you think! Plan your Christmas budget using the following christmas lists.

#1. Christmas greetings cards - Holiday Cards

Your Christmas card list could include: - work colleagues, children's school friends, family at home, family abroad, friends, neighbours. If you are an employee in a caring profession you may also send or give cards to patients, clients or residents.) Look here for Christmas card verses for your festive cards
Additional costs can include - postage, photos of the kids or family, airmail paper. Download printable christmas card list pdf

#2. Christmas on a budget - Christmas Decorations

Outdoors:- front door Christmas wreath, inflatable and wirework garden ornaments, yard lights, outdoor decorations, outdoor fairy lights.
Indoor decorations - garlands, swags, fairy lights, electronic and stuffed toys.
Christmas tree - ornaments, tree lights, tinsel, garlands, tree candy, tree stand, base or container, decorative tree skirt
Table decorations - table cloth or cover, centrepiece, festive place settings, christmas table mats, charger plates, coasters, name cards, candles, candle holders, crackers, party favors
Additional costs - unseen electricity bill for all those lights

#3. Christmas on a budget - Christmas Gifts

Your holiday gift list will likely include:- family, friends, colleagues, secret santa, charitable donations, childrens gifts/treats for friends, christmas tree gifts, christmas stocking gifts, table gifts/favors
Additional costs include Gift wrap - wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbon, bows, gift tags, sticky tape, cellophane wrap, shredded tissue, gift boxes, additional decorative labels or embellishments, glitter, glue, any specialist marker pens e.g. glitter pen, liquid pearls Download printable christmas gift budget worksheet pdf

#4. Christmas on a budget - Party Clothes, Hair, Make-up etc.

Clothing - party clothes, new clothes for Christmas day, accessories, new pyjamas for the kids christmas photos
Hairdressers, family haircuts, manicures, tanning, waxing, cost of additional pampering sessions to look your best(plus tips)

#5. Christmas on a budget - Holiday Tipping

Holiday tipping was traditional in UK for everyday tradesmen including postman, milkman and refuse collector.Not sure how many still uphold that tradition.
Your list may include among others:- Postman, refuse collector, paper boy or girl, taxi driver, hairdresser, doorperson etc.

#6. Christmas on a budget - Holiday Travel

Travel costs include - gas/fuel, lodging if you're staying away, air, train or bus tickets, taxi fares, meals on the journey.

#7. Christmas on a budget - Entertainment

Entertainment will likely include hostess gift, cost of parties and get togethers, holiday shows, pantomime or cinema tickets, kids activities and entertainment, meals out with friends or work colleagues, 'office' party costs.

#8. Christmas on a budget - Festive Food

We have to eat all year round so costs to consider here are those above our usual shopping - advent calendars, holiday meals, meals while shopping, christmas cookie and treats baking, seasonal beverages, extra snacks, get together food contributions, extra luxury or christmas food items - Christmas cake, christmas pudding (or ingredients for baking), additional snacks, chocolate, candy, popcorn and cookies, brandy butter, cranberry sauce, cream, nuts, dates, peanuts, pretzels etc.

#9. Christmas on a budget - Additional sundries

It's easy to forget how quickly these sundres add up - aluminium foil, cling film, baking parchment, greaseproof paper, baking cases, disposable tableware (plastic cutlery, paper cups, straws, serviettes etc) cocktail sticks, barbecue sticks, foil platters, foil/plastic food storage containers - not to mention the array of wonderful seasonal party tableware on sale.

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