Tips for Christmas on a budget with simple Aldi swaps

Christmas does not have to cost a fortune (Image: Getty Images) Many families are dreading Christmas since it is already difficult for them to make ends meet without the additional costs of turkeys and presents.However, it is possible to enjoy the holiday without breaking the bank or adding to your financial woes.My London has come up with eight tips to spread the festive cheer on a budget.Use battery-operated lightsWith gas and electricity bills on the rise, some families may be worried about going overboard with Christmas lights on the tree and around the house.However, switching to battery-operated lights is a great way to give your home some festive cheer without spending a fortune on energy bills.Some sets are extremely affordable, with Aldi selling bauble, snowflake, and star fairy lights for just £4.99.If you are looking for something longer to wrap around the tree or hang from the ceiling, Amazon sells 13-metre-long waterproof lights for £8.49, perfect for bringing a warm glow to your home.While the traditional Christmas feast is not complete for some without a turkey, swapping it for chicken instead is a great way to shed a few pounds from the shopping bill.The taste is practically the same, and with a little gravy on top, no one will even know the difference. This extra large chicken from Aldi serves 6-7 people and comes in at just £4.79.Opting for mishappen vegetables can also save a little money on the food shop.These days, many supermarkets sell odd-shaped vegetables for bargain prices.It may not look as pretty in the shop, but it will not make a difference once it is all chopped up. Selecting a turkey alternative can shed a few pounds from the shopping bill (Image: Getty Images)If you have been saddled with hosting Christmas lunch for the family, why not ask everyone to bring a dish—whether it’s the roast potatoes, the Christmas pudding, or a couple of bottles of wine.It will help spread the load, and everyone will be pleased to do their bit to help out.Get thrifty with presents this yearInstead of spending a fortune on the high street, visit some local secondhand stores for gifts instead.Charity shops can often be a treasure trove of pre-loved items, including designer clothing and accessories, jewellery and watches, and books and CDs.They are also a great spot to buy Christmas cards, and all the proceeds go to charity.In a similar vein, searching through Facebook Market Place or eBay could be a great way to bag gifts for loved ones this Christmas.If there is something specific on their wish list, you are sure to find a wide selection of whatever you are looking for on these sites, and do not be afraid to haggle for a reasonable price.DIY Christmas gifts can be thoughtful, meaningful, and relatively low-cost. Why not create some homemade coupons for your nearest and dearest instead of presents they may not even use?An IOU for a delivery of homemade cupcakes or a week of dog-walking will always go over well, and who would not rather have a voucher for an evening of babysitting than another pair of socks?Get Santa to think creativelyEvery child enjoys a full stocking, so fill it with practical gifts like new socks, a toothbrush, and bubble bath.It is the stuff all families need to buy anyway, but the children get the pleasure of unwrapping it.Anything can be made exciting when it has been delivered by Father Christmas.This is a typical requirement for the office Secret Santa, but why not bring it into the family?Millions are feeling the pinch of the cost of living this year, and setting a spending limit that suits you and your family is a great way to relieve the stress and pressure of forking out on presents.Even better, set up a Secret Santa for your extended family.Instead of shopping for every cousin, niece, nephew, auntie, and uncle, why not draw names and spend a little extra on your chosen person?You can save some money, and it is a fun way to bring the family together when giving out the gifts.Poster-paint masterpieces from school or crayon art from a Sunday afternoon can be used to wrap presents and make tags, or chopped into strips and made into paperchains – and you are doing your bit for the environment.Why not frame some of their best drawings to give to members of the family at Christmas? It will make a great gift that the grandparents are sure to love.