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Laura Reynolds provides some tips to help you save
But can the savvy student do Christmas 2009 on a budget? How can you please everyone without starving yourself in January? I have been racking my brains for the best Christmas money saving tricks and techniques. I have also looked into the best places to get great value presents in York and online. Here are some simple pointers to succeeding in keeping out of the dreaded red...
1. The Family.
Everything my Mother asks for is always expensive. Bottles of perfume and designer hand cream do not come cheap and I know she doesn't appreciate Superdrug’s own brand. The best thing to do is to band together with your siblings, share ideas, and the cost. If you have no siblings then consider buying your parents a joint present. www.gettingpersonal.com has some really fun personalised gifts, for £30 you can make your parents a Lord and Lady! This is a novel and different gift idea that they will appreciate and doesn’t make you cry when you come to the bill. Since my sister is also a student we have decided not to buy each other presents this year. Instead we are saving our money and going out for the night. This way we get to do something together and don’t end up with a present we don’t want.
2. The Housemates.
‘Secret Santa’ is one of the best Christmas buying schemes ever. Fact. There are six of us in my house and we each draw a name out of a hat. We set the price at £10 each and choose a celebrity to identify the presents with. For example the present with Robert Pattinson on the wrapping paper is mine this year! This is a fantastic way to save money and have a bit of fun along the way. Joke presents are great for the more difficult housemates to buy for. I recommend Give the Dog a Bone for inspiration and Shared Earth for the more eco-friendly flat mate.
3. End of year parties.
These are possibly the most tempting of all and can often be hailed as the highlight of the autumn term. Choose which events you want to go to carefully and consider the value for money. Or you can arrange your own house party or Christmas dinner. Invite a group of friends round and cook a great Sunday lunch. The cost of ingredients can be shared so this can be a nice cheap alternative to an expensive restaurant. If you know the ticket to an event is going to cost you £20 do not buy a new outfit, wear what you wore last Christmas because I can guarantee no one will remember.
4. Smart shopping in York.
If you can’t avoid the shops this year then steer clear of expensive department stores or chains. Try Purple Haze or Expressions for a belt, handbag or piece of vintage jewellery for friends and relatives. If you know someone who loves music then hit the charity shops. Last year I had a vinyl and case framed for my Dad, the record cost me £2.50 and the frame about £5. He absolutely loved it and it is now hanging up like wall art in his office. Zest does some great deals on hair-care products, false eyelashes and makeup for anyone who enjoys getting dressed up. Finally, Joy carries some quirky gifts for guys and don’t forget places which give student discounts.
5. Internet shopping.
We all know that www.play.com does great value DVD’s and music with free delivery, but did you know that it sells posters, clothing, film memorabilia, books and electronics too? Check it out for any friends or family members who like the silver screen. Other great websites include www.firebox.com and www.crazyaboutgadgets.com, especially for the guys. Finally check out www.truffleshuffle.com for retro gift ideas for everyone and a fantastic range of logo t-shirts.
Remember Christmas is supposed to be fun, not incredibly stressful. Make a list of people you need to buy for and arrange fun nights out or cinema trips with others. There is no shame in agreeing a spending limit with friends or relatives in advance. There is nothing worse than having spent three weeks finding the perfect present to find that someone has brought you a slab of chocolate in return. Ok, so it’s the thought that counts but we all want the ‘amount of thought’ to be the same.
It's all in the preparation; essentially regard it as a military operation with tinsel and mince pies. Get it right and you will have money to spare for the New Year, do it wrong and any money you receive for Christmas will be paying off the debt. So let’s embrace the Christmas cheer and hail the New Year with the knowledge that there is still a £20 note in the back pocket.
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