Money-savvy mums offer advice on how to enjoy a magical Christmas on a budget

Christmas can be a costly time, with the average family spending an extra £740 in December, according to the Bank of England.

And with the cost of living sky-rocketing, a survey by Barnados has found that 47 per cent of parents will cut back on presents for their children this year.

Here, three money-savvy mums tell us why buying on a budget doesn’t make their families’ Christmas Days feel any less magical…

‘I work to a strict list and spread the cost’

Ruby Blaken, 32, is a mum-of-three and has a second-hand clothing company.

She lives in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, with husband Mike, 35, and kids Isaac, seven, Florence, four, and Archer, 18 months.

“When you’re living on a budget, the idea of blowing lots of cash on Christmas feels uncomfortable – especially in a cost of living crisis.

“I got into preloved clothing when I had my children and my passion for reusing and money-saving grew from there.

“We’d moved into a new house that needed renovating and cash was tight.

“I love shopping but if I had to buy new for each child, it would get pricey. By buying second-hand items, I can still treat the children but without the waste and expense.

“I do my Christmas shopping throughout the year to spread the cost, with a strict list. I buy things when I see them on offer or preloved, and then I put them away. I get all our Christmas outfits and pyjamas that way. I also have an annual clear-out and sell things to fund our gifts.

“The Rule of Four gift-buying method helps – something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.

“All three know that Father Christmas brings them one smallish gift and fills their stocking – anything else, Mummy and Daddy have to pay for.

“We’ve also stopped swapping gifts with friends. Instead, we arrange to spend quality time with them, going for a play date, a movie with hot chocolate or a walk in the woods.

“I’d estimate we spend £40 to £100 maximum per child, depending on whether we have to get a key item new.

“This year, my youngest is being re-gifted his sister’s old balance bike, which I’m cleaning up and will be adding a new bell to. They’ll also get clothes – it’s practical but makes them happy.

“Their grandparents still spoil them but I make a list of what they would like, to ensure the gifts are necessary and will be treasured.

“Kids today have so much stuff and they rarely play with half of it. Instead of having all their toys out, I store some and rotate them, to stop their cries of, ‘I’m bored’.

“At the end of the day, Christmas gifts don’t need to be brand new to make your kids feel spoiled. The fact that they are receiving a treat and the present is new to them is all they need.”

Ruby sells preloved children’s and maternity clothes over at secondsnuggle.co.uk.

‘70% of my kids’ gifts are secondhand – and they love them’

Rachel Smith, 40, runs an enamel jewellery business. She lives in Bridgwater, Somerset, with her partner Stuart, 39, and children Owen, seven, Ruby, four, and Zac, two.

“Browsing through the treasures in the charity shop, a toy caught my son’s eye.

“’Look at this, Mum,’ said Owen, holding up a Lego torch. ‘It’s so cool.’

“’You’ll have to see what Father Christmas brings,’ I replied, making a mental note to pop back and buy it – a bargain at £1. I knew his face would light up when he unwrapped it. The fact it was second-hand wouldn’t make a difference.

“Nor would it matter to his younger siblings, Ruby and Zac. They were just as happy with their haul as children whose parents had spent a small fortune on them.

“And by only shelling out £20 to £50 per child, it meant we had more money as a household for essential purchases – and our celebrations were less wasteful.

“I love giving presents much more than receiving them but I hate giving for the sake of it. When I choose a gift, I want it to be something the recipient truly wants or needs. That’s my focus, rather than the cost or whether the gift is brand new.

“Around 70 per cent or more of my kids’ gifts come from charity shops, car boot sales, school fairs and Facebook Marketplace.

“I’ve learnt to look out for some things throughout the year. I often find toys that look like new or are in an unopened box. If there’s something specific they need, like a scooter, I give myself plenty of time to source one.

“For Owen’s birthday, I found an exploding Hot Wheels motorbike for free and he was delighted. My total spend on his gifts was £15.

“We’ve always bought clothes, books and toys in the charity shop, so my children don’t know any different. This may change as they get older but for now, everyone is happy.

“I feel I’m teaching them lessons about the value of money and avoiding any unnecessary waste.

“Running a small business, it’s very important to be careful financially and I use my skills to make gifts for loved ones throughout the year.

“Maybe if we were millionaires, I’d go all out – but I still think I’d feel wasteful. It’s such a way of life for us that we really can’t imagine doing it any differently now.”

You can buy Rachel’s jewellery at iamrachel.co.uk

‘We focus on making precious memories’

Claire Lyons, 47, lives in Nottingham with husband Mike, 48, and their daughters Grace, 12, Florence, nine, and Mary, who turns seven on December 21. She works for an ecological burial company and blogs about grief.

There are things in life that are so much more precious than possessions.

As a mum committed to sustainable living, Christmas is difficult because there is such a focus on consumption and we try not to live that way.

You feel under pressure to spend money that you could use better elsewhere. And the stress of all the shopping and wrapping means it’s no longer a lovely break from work, particularly for women.

Every year there’s yet another “tradition” you need to spend money and time on, like Elf On The Shelf, fancy advent calendars or Christmas Eve boxes.

We always put £50 a month aside for our celebrations but in 2016, when I looked at my list of what to buy, splashing it all on toys just felt wrong. Back then, with four children aged seven and under, they had everything they needed.

So we sat them down and gave them a choice. “Would you prefer gifts from Mummy and Daddy, or an experience?” I asked.

We told them they would still get a stocking of small items from Father Christmas and gifts from relatives.

The vote was unanimous.

After considering theme park passes and other trips, Grace, then six, suggested a holiday – we booked a cottage for five days over New Year, costing just under our £600 Christmas budget.

This is now our family tradition and it has become even more poignant since our son, Isaac, died suddenly at home in August 2019, aged 10.

It shattered us and Christmas will never be the same. The thought of piles of presents under the tree without any for him would break my heart. But those precious memories of quality time together are priceless. Every year, we ask his sisters whether they want gifts.

They never do, although this year they asked if we could move our holiday to February half-term because they’d like to be at home for the holiday period.

Our approach doesn’t mean we dislike Christmas – our grief aside, we love it.

I do a book advent calendar, where we read a different Christmas story a day, and we used to do a DVD one until they realised they could choose their favourite on streaming apps!

We also make cards and do crafts together, and we eat our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, to allow a lazy, relaxed day and give the kids our time and love. We’ll get a visit from Jack Frost that night, too, who brings new pyjamas, hot chocolate and a book.

The girls open the presents they do have when they’re ready on Christmas morning, so they can play and appreciate each one.

Our transition to this more thoughtful Christmas has taken time but it’s perfect for our family. And it feels like this is how the holiday was meant to be – joy and love, not stress and spending.