Make Christmas count – Without it adding up

New homes builder Bellway East Midlands is well aware of the financial impact of the current economic climate and is implementing a number of incentives to help first time buyers and those with a property to sell.

And with Christmas and all its associated costs looming, the company has compiled a number of seasonal top tips to help make December affordable and fun for all the family.

Tricia Hoose, Bellway sales manager, says: “This year more than any other we are all going to be conscious of how much we spend at Christmas.

“We’re working hard to make purchasing a new home affordable through our Opening Doors shared equity scheme and other property incentives and we’ve also applied this practical, money-saving thinking to Christmas!

“Ultimately, even though it’s nice to have a lavish festive season, there’s no point in getting into debt to enjoy it. And there are always more important things to spend money on so we got our heads together in the office to agree what are the top tips to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank.”

1. It wouldn’t be Christmas without festive food! Make sure you make your meals stretch further by using up leftovers the next day. Try livening up turkey by making a spicy homemade curry on Boxing Day and don’t throw away uneaten, cooked vegetables, which can be fried to make bubble and squeak.

2. Party games are inexpensive group entertainment and can break the ice at any gatherings. Try Forehead Detective where you have to guess the famous name stuck on your own head or pass balloons chin to chin – the cheesier the game, the funnier it will be!

3. You don’t have to slavishly follow the latest festive fashions when it comes to decorations. The most meaningful decorations are often the oldest so break out the old nodding reindeer you loved as a child and revel in some nostalgia.

4. Alcohol certainly helps fuel Christmas cheer but it doesn’t need to be pricy. A well-chilled cava is just as acceptable as champagne and won’t break the bank. Similarly, use an inexpensive red to create a warming mulled wine with spices that pack a punch.

5. Presents can cost as much or as little as you want them to. Agree a price limit and stick to it and make the most of your creative talents by making thoughtful homemade gifts such as fancy cakes or customised photo frames. Alternatively, think ahead and shop in the January sales for next year’s Christmas bargain gifts.

6. Traveling between relatives can be pricy so plan your trips carefully to make the best use of your journey. Share car journeys where possible and book train and aeroplane travel as early as possible to get the best available deal.

7. Wrapping paper can be expensive and is ultimately thrown away so be creative and environmentally friendly by wrapping gifts in leftover magazine articles or comics. You could even personalise each present by selecting the most appropriate article for each person e.g. a piece on football, fashion or furry animals depending on whose gift it is!

8. Don’t splash out on cds of festive music. There are so many different radio and television stations broadcasting Christmas music that there’s always something on to suit all tastes.

9. Shop around for Christmas cards as there are lots of bargains available now. Check and use up any left over from last year and make sure you write them out in plenty of time to hit the second class delivery.

10. Don’t overstretch yourself financially or the festive season will be spoiled through worrying about how you will pay for it in the New Year. Remember the ultimate joy at Christmas is found through getting together with friends and family and being thankful for what you already have!

Bellway East Midlands has developments spanning the region including Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northampton, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Loughborough, offering a range of innovative house-types from high specification city-style apartments to detached family homes in semi-rural locations.

For further information on the latest home designs and developments from Bellway East Midlands, see Bellway.co.uk.