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We’ve put up our Christmas decorations today because I absolutely love this time of year. I love to maximise how long we can enjoy the festive build up. Plus my 6 year old has been counting down the days until the elves come every day for at least a month, so we are all more than ready for Advent!
The girls wanted to put the decorations on the tree and we left them to it for the first year ever. It actually doesn’t look too bad, but I think I will have a little rearrange tonight when they have gone to bed!
Are your Christmas trees up yet?
What’s your favourite part of this time of year? We’ve watched The Polar Express today and the Elf on the Shelf movie – the films are the best way to get in to the spirit!
We have been hitting the gym hard over the last couple of months so that we can INDULGE in December. I am a big foodie; I have every food mag from every supermarket and can’t wait to get sampling all the delicious treats that Christmas brings! It’s literally making my mouth water writing about it!
Talking about Christmas food and drink…. Some of the UK Money Bloggers have teamed up to offer you a fantastic prize selection. There are eight Christmas Afternoon Treats with Flowers M&S hampers up for grabs, worth £50 each. That means eight lucky winners will receive a hamper in time for Christmas!
Meet the bloggers taking part
The bloggers taking part in this festive giveaway are:
EmmaDrew.Info | Shoestring Cottage | Your Money Sorted | Thrifty Londoner | Much More With Less | Thrifty Lesley | Pounds and Sense | The Money Whisperer | Inspiring Life Design | Budgeting is a Challenge
Bee Money Savvy | Joleisa | Mind Over Money Matters | The Reverend | Charlotte Musha | Earning By The Sea | SueFoster.Info | Katie Saves | The Money Saving Mum | MamaFurFur | Daily Deals UK | Thrifty Husband
Everyday, Freebies and More | Melanie’s Fab Finds | Mrs MummyPenny | Bronni | Brit on a Budget | Miss Penny Money | Your Best Friend’s Guide to Cash | Money Blog Scotland | I Beat Debt | The Savvy Sisters
Looking After Your Pennies | Bang on Blanks | Miss Manypennies | Lylia Rose | SavvyMumUK | Monethalia | The Female Money Doctor | Broke Girl in the City | Mummy Saver Money Maker | Mum on a Budget | Bargain Bunny | Not Taught at School | Savings 4 Savvy Mums
Glitz & Glamour Makeup | Debt Free Family | Side Hustle Directory | The Somerset Foodie | Financial Expert | Get Paid to F.A.R.T | Savvy in Somerset | A Thrifty Gamer | Mrs Pinch | TuppennysFIREplace | Reinventing Neesha | Sunshine and Rain | Thrifty Chap
Skinny Spending | Money Making Mum | My Money Cottage | Money Tips Blog | Emily Brookes | Frugal Family | Beauty Markdown | Boost My Budget | Make Money Without a Job | Family Budgeting | The Mini Millionaire
This Money Works | Broke in Bristol | The Bloglancer | The Money Principle | Slimming Violet | Savvy Squirrel | Extreme Couponing & Deals UK | Ruth Makes Money | A Balanced Belly | My Debt Diary
The prizes
There are eight Christmas Afternoon Treats with Flowers M&S hampers up for grabs, worth £50 each.
If the hamper is no longer available when the winners are drawn then the winners will be offered an alternative hamper from M&S worth £50 each.
Enter to win
To enter simply complete any or all of the Rafflecopter entry widget options below.
The competition closes at midnight on 14th December 2019. If the hamper selected is sold out then we will offer an alternative M&S hamper worth £50. You can see the widget for the full terms and conditions of this giveaway.
There are plenty of ways to enter this giveaway.
Good luck!
Start shopping in September as you have more time to pick that perfect gift and it spreads the cost
Make your own Christmas cards
Buy Christmas crackers, christmas cards and wrapping paper in the January sales and put away for the next year.
keep a list of the presents you’ve already bought, as it’s very easy to just keep buying!
Christmas is a time for quiet reflection, for being with loved ones and enjoying time together, watching the children’s happy faces – do not be tempted to look at your gift and think ‘it doesn’t look very much, I think I’d better buy a few more bits’ – please don’t feel you have to compete – a small gift is a gesture of love…so enjoy the simple joys of this special season and don’t spend more than you can afford…and smile…
If you buy gifts throughout the year, keep track so you don’t overspend.
Put a little something away each day to ease the financial burden when Christmas finally comes round.
Keep a list of who you need to buy for and the budget you’ve want to spend on them
Start shopping in the January sales and save store vouchers for Christmas.
Keep the present giving to minimum
Do not buy to much food.
I save £40 a month (or whatever I can) starting in January then by November/December I have a good amount of money to spend on Christmas presents.
Buy presents all year round then it’s not such a financial blow when Christmas comes around.