Take control of your Christmas spending

All your good savings habits don’t
have to go downhill just because it’s
Christmas. Instead, have a game plan
and involve your whole family in its
success. This could do wonders for
both the family dynamics as well as
your pocket.
Double-up on the fun
• Just because Santa gave the kids a
4X4 bike or iPod nano last year
doesn’t mean they have get to
something as flash again. Get smart
and choose a gift that the two (or
three) of them can enjoy, at half the
cost.
Try a set of beach bats and ball, a
gaming console or an old-school
board game like chess. Not only will
the kids get to spend quality time
together, they’ll also develop their
hand/eye coordination or strategic
skills.
Or you can go back to basics and fill a
box with art supplies. Paints,
coloured paper and play dough are
relatively affordable but can give
your kids hours of good, clean, messy
fun.
• And it’s not just the kids that
need to learn to share, go Dutch with
the adults too.
Instead of your family buying a gift
for your partner, create a wish list of
big ticket items like a silver cutlery
set or new carpet for the lounge.
Give a copy to your family, and invite
them to pool their gifts so you
receive something you really need
and can share.
Do the same for your parents, aunts
and uncles and see how much more
they’ll appreciate a new blender
over another pair of socks and soap-
on-a-rope.
Too many chefs can be a good thing
• Christmas can become a bit like
Masterchef: everyone wants to be
the best. Be smart and instead of
fielding cheap pot shots between
Aunty Mae and Cousin Betty at
Christmas dinner, encourage a more
diplomatic menu where each foodie
brings her, or his, favourite dish for
the table.
This could do wonders for the festive
mood and may even spark a few long
overdue complements between the
clans.
Smart shopper
• If Silly Season is in full swing and
you’re heading from one function to
another, forgo time-busting
Christmas shopping by doing it
online. With no shortage of mobile
devices to access retailers remotely,
buying a pantry full of produce, a
new outfit or even gifts is as simple
as pick and click.
Some debit cards like Capitec's
Global One, debit MasterCard also
functions like a credit card, without
the risk of getting into debt. Online
shopping is often cheaper too so
you’ll save tons of time,
overcrowded mall frustration and
moolah.
Splash of colour
• By adding a pop of colour for the
Christmas table to impress the
Christmas stockings off your nearest
and dearest. Be daring with a pop of
jolly colour and revamp your dining
table or even cutlery.
If that’s too bold a move, be simple
by adding a sassy red tablecloth,
green placemats or trendy luminous
baubles and crackers. A dash of
colour can do wonders; just don’t go
overboard and try it on the leather
couch.
Travel
• Instead of hosting Christmas at
yours, why not invite all the family to
stay under one roof next to the sea
or a tent holiday? Family
accommodation is often cheaper in
numbers so book well in advance
and split the cost, saving everyone
money.
All your good savings habits don’t
have to go south just because it’s
Christmas. Instead, have a game plan
and involve your whole family in its
success. This could do wonders for
both the family dynamics as well as
your pocket.