When the holiday season gets into full swing; it can be a challenge to reign-in your finances and keep track of your spending. There will be travel costs, gifts, food, and decorations to invest in, and these can end up spiraling, causing you to head into the new year feeling out-of-pocket and strapped for cash. By the time you get to January; you’ll know that you overspent, but you might not be sure what you’ve bought, and why everything cost so much. Therefore, it’s worth putting some time and effort into your frugal living over the holidays, and focusing on saving money where you can. A little planning and savvy preparation can go a long way.

It’s not about becoming the Grinch of the family over the festive season; however, there’s nothing wrong with making wise financial decisions regarding what and where you spend. If you do it right; nobody in your family will even notice that you’ve made an effort to cut back and pocket the savings, but your wallet, retirement fund, and bank balance will be extremely grateful.

The following are some tips, ideas, and advice for those who want to save their money over the holidays, but still want to enjoy the time with their loved-ones and have a very happy Christmas.

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Holiday Season Hacks

Plan Your Gift Giving

The cost of Christmas gifts is probably one of your biggest extra-expenses over the holiday season. Therefore, it’s worth working out a set budget for each person, and really sticking to it. Better yet, paying less than expected and saving the excess. Sites like DontPayFull.com are the perfect place to start, as you can pick up some discounts and special offers that you wouldn’t find in the retail shops, so check them out and do your research to price compare.

Wrapping paper and cards can also add up to a large sum; if you haven’t already, utilize the January sales to stock up on greetings cards, bows, ribbons, and paper so that you never pay full price. Check the attic or your home’s storage closet for anything left over from last year that could be used. Don’t overspend on things that you may already have. You may be surprised at how many things you can find and put to purpose that would later be destined for the recycling bin if unused.

A Homemade And Recycled Approach

Decorations, food, and drink will be next on the list of things you’ll be forking out for over the holidays. Therefore, it’s worth putting some time into using what you already have, or investing in some affordable elements, to create things yourself at home.

Homemade decorations will always look festive and unique and you can get the whole family involved. It’s amazing what you can create with a hot glue gun, some ingenuity, and re-purposed decorations that may have been unused for years. Check out sites like Pinterest.com for some inspiration.

The same goes for food and drinks. It can be so expensive buying ready-made edible items. Try and make as much as possible using ingredients in your cupboards and get baking from scratch. The homemade approach will always go down well will friends and family, and perhaps if you’re feeling crafty; homemade gifts is something you can consider too.

Christmas can still be festive and fun, and saving cash during the holidays could even add to the experience. Don’t overspend and instead head into the new year having saved money where you can.