Dec 22,2021
Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations can be an expensive time of year, with the average family not paying off their seasonal debt until April.
However, there are many ways to keep your festive finances under control – starting with working out a careful budget to calculate exactly what you can, and cannot, afford. It’s a simple step – in fact, it forms the basis of all of our branch-based customer meetings - but the importance of it can’t be stressed enough.
The easiest way to overspend is by not deciding ahead of time how much you want to spend. Plan out an overall cost that is reasonable, and break that down into smaller chunks to budget for food, decorations, drinks and so on.
If you’re inviting friends and family, ask people to bring different items to spread the cost. With one person covering dessert, another sorting the snacks, and others bringing a bottle each, the financial burden to host is quickly lifted.
Guests always love a themed party as they know what they’re getting themselves into! But for you as a host, a theme sets parameters to help you stick to your budget. Instead of buying decorations with no plan in mind, you can shop for the specific theme you have in mind to help you stay on budget.
Make food and drink in large batches to save costs. Big cocktail pitchers look fantastic and if you keep the alcohol percentage low, your guests will make it to midnight - with the added benefit of a cheaper drink. Buy your ingredients in bulk and make the food and snacks in one go - this will minimise cost and time, and your guests will appreciate the effort.
Use what you already have where you can - think repurposed Christmas lights and decorations, candles, and leftover birthday balloons. Better yet, let your kids get crafty: with some coloured paper, scissors and glue, they can create colourful paper chains that they’ll be thrilled to show off.
After the last two years, everyone is excited to simply spend the holidays together. Prioritise activities and games to do together rather than splurging on expensive things that are quickly gone.
A very Happy New Year to all our lovely customers and staff. See you in 2022!
Posted in Budgeting on Dec 22, 2021.
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