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BRACE YOURSELVES, HERE’S...
Christmas can be stressful and VERY expensive. But our guide can get you in the festive spirit without breaking the bank or breaking down. features@sundaymirror.co.uk Write a plan to include meals out, meals in and parties. Talk to family and friends and commit to dates. Set a budget. Start with family. Don’t forget work’s Secret Santa and teachers. Sign up for store sales alerts – it can save €100s. Get the family to join in. Put lose change into a jar to go towards Christmas dinner. A family of four could save €150. Start a separate bank account and put in a regular amount. Don’t touch it unless it is for ticking things off your festive list. Today is the perfect day to buy a real tree that will still looking sprightly by Christmas. Try to hold off until now to avoid the needles dropping before the 25th. Spray branches with water from an old cleaning bottle to keep them fresh and water it from the base too. Nothing gets you in the mood for Christmas like a good film. Today a high budget remake of Mary Poppins starring Emily Blunt hits cinemas. Doing your food shopping on December 23 means you won’t be fighting crowds on Christmas Eve. Shops are only closed on Christmas Day, so don’t buy too much. Stick to your list. You should by now be organised enough that there is no reason to leave the house. Put on some Christmas music, wrap the pressies and peel the spuds if you’re feeling energetic.