CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and for most of us, who are already struggling to keep up with the staggeringly high prices of essential items and astronomical price of energy and petrol, it's an added dimension of stress.
Christmas puts pressure on parents every year, and for those who have been merely firefighting their way through this cost of living drama, this festive season will be doubly hard.
People will say it's "just one day" or they are "just presents", but as parents it is weaved into our DNA to want to provide for our kids, to make them happy, to not disappoint them. As such, parents will put themselves under enormous pressure this year more than most to try to ensure their children have something under the tree from the big man in the red suit.
A recent Post Office survey has shone a light on the impact the cost of living crisis will have on the festivities this year. Speaking with over 2,000 people, it found that four in 10 consumers are greatly worried they just will not be able to afford Christmas, with a staggering 83 per cent saying the cost of living will definitely impact on their festivities.
Parents spoke about not being able to afford gifts for their children and one in six people said that they were going to handmake all their gifts this year to save money. One in four said that they were feeling anxious and sad about the upcoming festive season.
Another survey found that a fifth of households were considering cancelling the Christmas celebrations altogether. The questionnaire by the e-commerce company RVS Media found that many other families were going to look to loans to get them through festive season.
In their survey they found that almost a third of shoppers were looking to 'buy now pay later' methods and 42 per cent of people admitted to purchasing items with the intent of returning them to the store once used, to save money.
Other surveys found that Christmas was going to be scaled way back in some households, with only the children receiving gifts and lights and decorations being reduced. Another found that 49 per cent said that lack of cash had "crushed" their Christmas plans.
It all sounds pretty grim.
Christmas is about having those you love around you. Unless someone has just returned from outer space, they will be aware that we are living through a cost of living crisis and will understand things wont be as they were previously. A conversation can be had with older children and adults about this. Younger kids might not understand that the cost of living situation also impacts on Santa – the price of reindeer dust that makes the sleigh fly has risen alongside the price of petrol worldwide – and there are ways around this.
Pre-loved items are just as good as newly bought. Our charity shops are full of beautiful, barely used toys and gifts for young kids for a fraction of the original cost. Furniture can be purchased and painted or adorned with stickers to create Barbie or Paw Patrol themed items, for example. Necessity feeds creativity at times.
For older kids and teenagers who love fashion websites like Ebay (ebay.co.uk) and Depop (depop.com) have pre-loved designer gear for a greatly reduced price.
Ebay is where you can sell your own items to make some extra money. Friends of mine have made money selling off children's clothes their kids have grown out of, or dresses, coats and shoes they no longer wear. There are also websites such as Music Magpie (musicmagpie.co.uk) that allow you to sell your unwanted electronic items. Mazuma Mobile buys old phones you no longer use (mazumamobile.com).
Homemade is the way to go for the adults who you want to give presents to. Learn how to make chocolates or cookies or jam, paint a picture and stick it in a frame, learn to knit scarves and hats. Homemade is from the heart and people will appreciate it all the more.
This Christmas is going to be a tough one for many of us. This crisis is biting hard and not letting go, and the thought of more expense when we are already struggling with the day-to-day stuff is daunting.
I hope your worries are small this Christmas. Go gently. If you are struggling with finances, the Citizens Advice Bureau can help. Log on to Citizensadvice.org.uk for more details.
