This year I decided to put up my decorations early, buy all of my gifts, write my cards and generally get myself into the Christmas spirit well before I usually do – mainly because of my moving home situation being a bit up in the air and also because I am trying to limit my budget this year. By starting early I gave myself more time to plan and have less chance of over-spending.
It feels now as thought the recession is truly beginning to bite – I keep hearing more bad news about job losses from friends and neighbours and I have noticed prices going up all over the place. One way of distracting myself from all of this doom and gloom has been to enjoy more of the simple pleasures in life – making my house look sparkly and inviting, trying out new recipes and becoming addicted to this year’s ‘I’m a Celebrity’. Thankfully my t.v. addiction for this year is now over, so I can get on with the real spirit of Christmas and visit friends and family and have them over too.
I started buying gifts early this year to take advantage of sales and special offers and have made my own tags from old Christmas cards instead of buying (for example) 6 for £1.00! A really simple thing I also did was a set a budget for each gift and stick to it (this is usually where I go wrong). I have also put aside my cards to hand to people when I see them and only post cards to those who I definitely won’t see. (I have toyed with the idea of sending an online card, which would be free(!), but haven’t done that yet. Maybe next year!)
I’d love to hear what changes, if any, you have made to fit with budget constraints.
Anyway, here are some sparkly pictures I wanted to share with you to brighten your day.
Our first Christmas card of the year. This cat is the spitting image of Puffin!
Vintage card which reminds me the style of illustration when I was a child
I am also planning lots of free/low cost activities:
I visited the Dickens Christmas Market in Rochester (Kent) on the weekend, which was free to enter and was festive fun. The only money I spent was on things to eat (I was in the vicinity already).
I am hoping to pop in to The Enfieldian Vintage Fair this weekend where my friend Miss Honey Bare will be getting creative with vintage hair and make-up. Visit Heyday Honey to find out more about the aptly named ‘Make Do Christmas’ event.
I am also attending a free walk on the grounds of Trent Park, my old haunt to find out more about its history on the ‘History and Mystery Tour‘.
Look out for free events on the internet (try your council website) and local papers. Feel free to share any budgetting tips of your own and have fun whatever you’re up to this Christmas!
