Get ready for next Christmas now!
Once all the festivities are over, it may seem easier just to put everything away and forget about Christmas for another year! But as a consumer expert and author of 456 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Throughout the Year I am keen to help you save and make money for next Christmas!
The Retail Gazette reports that “Shoppers spent £19.6bn during the four weeks of the festive period to 27 December, with total till sales growing by 3%, according to the latest figures from NielsenIQ (NIQ).”
@thecomplainingcow How to save money on Christmas #Christmas2026 #ChristmasSavings #debtfreecommunity #SavingMoney #Moneysaving
A little preparation now can make next December less stressful and much more affordable. Follow the checklist here to make sure you continue to save money in the period after Christmas and throughout the year:
1) Cut up your Christmas cards ready for gift cards and tags next year. See How to save money on Christmas cards
2) Put your saved wrapping paper away carefully in a “Christmas” bag, together with your Christmas decorations, making sure that it won’t get ripped!
3) Check and put away your decorations and keep what you may be able to use next year. Make sure everything is stored in sturdy labelled boxes, so nothing gets broken and they can be easily found again.
4) Prepare your budget for next year. By budgeting appropriately and strategically you can manage expectations for friends, family and yourself. Managing your money well can also help to reduce stress for you and for others. See How to stay out of debt this Christmas
5) Freeze or use up any food leftovers.
6) Note what worked well this year. Write down which foods, gifts, and decorations were most appreciated so you can repeat them and what didn’t work, so you can avoid wasting money next year.
7) Look at unopened food Best Before and Use By dates to see what can still be eaten and by when. Use By means the food may be unsafe after that date, Best Before means quality may decline but it’s still safe to eat. For example, a boxed Christmas pudding can last many years but check the Use By date to be sure.
8) Write the shopping list for what you want in the sales before you shop! See How to save money when shopping for Christmas and in the sales
9) Create a sales shopping list for next year. Note what items were good deals and what you want to buy early for next Christmas, to take advantage of sales throughout the year.
10) Reflect on gifts and experiences. Write down what worked well, what didn’t, and ideas for next year. This will help streamline your shopping and avoid overspending throughout the next year. See 20 ways to save money on Christmas presents
11) Put all the unwanted presents that you want to regift in one place with a note of who gave them to you. Or put aside for selling or giving away. See What can you do with unwanted presents?
12) Plan homemade projects. If you want to make decorations, cards or gifts for next Christmas jot down ideas now and watch for sales on materials through the coming year.
The key to saving is consistency, awareness and preparation. With a change in mindset you can start small, make gradual changes and build your holiday savings habits throughout the year. You can focus on meaningful traditions and thoughtful gestures and gifts, rather than on expenditure. With patience and thorough planning, you can turn Christmas from a financial strain into a celebration to look forward to every year.
Happy New Year!
More on saving money at Christmas
Saving money and your rights at Christmas
456 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Throughout the Year Save on food, presents, cards, activities, decorations, holidaying, festivities and entertainment without cutting back on the fun and enjoyment.
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