Stacey shared the various ways she’s saved money this Christmas (Picture: Jam Press)
With presents to buy, feasts to cook, and festive activities to partake in, Christmas can cost a lot — but one mum has shared how she’s managed to do it all for under £350.
Savvy saver Stacey Victoria claims she’s spent less than £350 on the whole festive season this year and she’s already purchased her entire Christmas dinner.
The 36-year-old previously used to spend more than £890 on the winter holiday, but she’s since turned her spending habits around and has now slashed her Christmas costs by a whopping £540.
Her new frugal lifestyle has helped her amass a huge following on social media, with 97,000 people following her @home_with_stacey Instagram account for her ‘penny-stretching tips’.
The mum has spent less than £350 in total (Picture: Jam Press/@home_with_stacey)
Most recently she’s opened up about the various ways she managed to get more ‘bang for her buck’ over Christmas, amid the cost of living crisis.
‘We’ve had to cut back hugely as a family to be able to still try and keep the life we have and enjoy it,’ she said.
‘I think we need to do all we can to put things in place to try and ease the pressure off ourselves – and I feel going for less materialistic gifts is the way forward. They’re sentimental, personal, and most importantly, from the heart.
‘I set myself the task of being able to manage with the items we have around the house, rather than forking out unnecessary money.
‘And if I have to buy extra, such as food for our Christmas Day dinner, then I’ll do this a few months before to avoid the price hikes, cook it, and freeze it ready to defrost and heat for the big day.’
Stacey is a firm believer that it shouldn’t cost a fortune to make a ‘simple’ roast dinner just because of the occasion, opting to buy yellow sticker items and frozen veg to save some cash.
She said: ‘Look at the supermarket deals around New Year’s and stock up on the yellow sticker items, like pigs in blankets, or even leftover meat that is about to go out of date.
‘Pop them in your freezer, ready for the next year, and you’re bound to save a fortune.’
Stacey already has her Christmas dinner sorted (Picture: Jam Press/@home_with_stacey)
And when it comes to present shopping, the 35-year-old claims the key to saving money is to make DIY gifts rather than buying something brand new.
‘I make themed biscuits instead of giving out presents, or simply get a secondhand frame and pop the kids’ drawings inside,’ she said.
Stacey’s other handmade present ideas include creating scrapbooks, and making jams, and chutneys, as well as hand creams.
The mum’s other big top tips for cutting cost, including entertaining the little ones over the holidays by finding events they can attend that won’t cost you a penny.
‘Look at what’s on locally, such as seeing Santa at your nearest shopping centre, or going to a church and using their activity days,’ she advises.
She handmakes gifts and cards. (Picture: Jam Press/@home_with_stacey)
And to kill two birds with one stone, she takes the kids for a ‘give a gift, get a gift’ shopping spree at secondhand shops.
Stacey explained: ‘I often let the girls give something away, and then pick up something secondhand – such as jumpers or toys – that are new for them. It helps them to understand how to truly appreciate what they have.
‘I also go to charity shops to fill up their stockings, with socks, toothbrushes, bubble baths, or anything practical alongside pre-loved toys. And for more savings, go for gifts that the whole family can use, such as puzzles or a board game.’
Thanks to all of these savvy swaps, Stacey says she has saved £580 on everything for Christmas and hopes to teach her daughters, Emily, nine, and Isabelle, six, the importance of gratitude.
She added: ‘Christmas can be a really challenging time of year, as well as a very happy time of year – but please don’t put the strain on yourself to spend so much money for one day.
‘Emily and Isabelle are grateful for everything in their life and they even write thank you letters to Santa, where they tell him to rest and have a cup of tea.
‘All I want is to see the smiles on my children’s faces and I know I will have done my job.
‘I think the financial crisis has taught me a lot and despite not spending hundreds of pounds, I know the gifts I give will mean more because I’ve put my heart into them.’
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Christmas doesn’t have to cost a fortune.