If there’s ever a time of year we could all use some great money hacks, it’s the holiday season. Between all those holiday gatherings, the big Christmas meal, some festive clothes for the various events you’re attending, and presents, this time of year can be really tough on your finances.

Here are 12 money hacks that can help you save money during his challenging season. 

1. Buy from a thrift store: If your child is insisting they want to take up golf or start playing the guitar but you’re not sure they’ll stick with it, consider buying what they need second hand so you aren’t throwing away too much money if it doesn’t stick.
   
2. Make your gatherings informal: Save the fancy china and velvet dresses for Christmas Day. If you want to host friends on a budget, why not have an informal get-together with finger foods or even a cookie exchange with some coffee? 
   
3. Look out for free events: There are usually plenty of thrilling big-ticket performances to take in over the holidays, but it might surprise you just how many free ones you can find. Before you shell out hundreds of euros for tickets to see THE most coveted show, find out what free holiday concerts, villages, plays and other entertainment will be available near you.
   
4. Don’t shop too early: I like buying gifts as early as possible, but there is such a thing as too early! Keep in mind that many retailers start offering good deals for Black Friday or in early December.
   
5. Buy some gifts after the holidays: If you’re Christmas shopping on a budget and won’t be seeing certain friends or family until after the holidays, consider waiting for the post-holiday sales to buy their gifts. As an added bonus, you may be able to reuse gift bags from presents you’ve received! It’s two money hacks in one!
   
6. Don’t overcommit: If you’re a social butterfly who receives lots of party and dinner invitations during the holidays, start getting particular about which ones you attend. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need clothes, hostess gifts and other expenses for each one, not to mention fuel and the time you give up that you could be spending doing something else. Only accept the invitations that mean the most to you.
   
7. Send e-cards: Those Christmas cards you mail out can really add up, and most people are just going to throw them away at the end of the holidays anyway. Sending e-cards allows you to fully eliminate this expense. If you have the time, you can even set up different versions for specific audiences, such as fun family photos for friends and more formal-looking ones for clients and co-workers.
   
8. Watch out for sales: It’s easy to get drawn in by those big 20% off signs, but do some research before opening up your wallet, and make sure the store didn’t just raise its prices ahead of the discount so you end up paying the same price.
   
9. Upcycle holiday décor: If you look around your home, you might be surprised by how many items you already have that you can easily turn into holiday décor, whether it’s mason jars that can be luminaries or cookie cutters that you can tie a ribbon to and hang on the trees 
   
10. Set limits on gifts: If you have to buy a lot of gifts each year, try to set up a system like a Secret Santa where everyone gives one gift and everyone gets one gift, or commit to only buying gifts for kids 18 and under in the extended family. Chances are you’re not the only person you know trying to enjoy Christmas on a budget! You might also ask to set a spending limit among your family or chip in with others to buy a big-ticket gift or family experience that everyone can enjoy. 
    
11. Sign up for retailer newsletters: If you’re buying from a website you haven’t shopped from before this holiday season, look around for promotional offers for signing up for their newsletter. Many will give you 10 or even 20 per cent off your first order.
    
12. Save money on alcohol: Don’t spend money fully stocking your bar ahead of your holiday party. Instead, just stick to one holiday-themed cocktail or drink, like mulled wine or eggnog. 

Sticking to these money hacks will help you save some money this Christmas season, for sure! After all, the true meaning of Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with how much money you spend.

Love,

Nakita xxx