Top tips to save money this Christmas (From Bucks Free Press)
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Top tips to save money this Christmas
7:38pm Tuesday 6th December 2011
With the current economic climate and yours truly being a man of very limited means cost cutting measures are essential to get me through the festive season.
My lifestyle may be frugal but at least I am happy.
In this blog I hope to pass on a few money saving tips so you too can make the pennies work harder at this time of year.
The first and most obvious tip is to re-cycle the wrapping paper. Rather than ripping open presents I always open them carefully taking care not to tear the paper.
Of course crinkly paper does not look very nice however last Sunday evening I spent a few moments in the laundry room at Bigun Hall ironing some of last years wrapping paper.
A few presses with a cool iron and even the most crinkly wrapping paper looks as good as new.
Christmas cards can be recycled too.
Simply cut off the right hand portion of the card, leaving the half with the pretty picture, then glue some thick paper to the card to replace the part that you cut off.
If cutting and glueing is to too tedious why not buy some left over cards in the January sales and store them ready for use next year?
By shopping around it's sometimes cheaper to buy frozen turkeys on special offer.
Last year I bought three turkeys for the price of two. One was consumed last Christmas, another at Easter leaving one ready for this year.
When posting Christmas cards why not get them ready early and send them with a second class stamp. Why pay a higher price than necessary for postage?
With so many shops staying open late into the evening on Christmas Eve it can be beneficial to leave the grocery shopping to the last minute to get any bargains that may be going.
However as I found out once this can be a rather risky strategy as the shop sold out and that year I had to go without some essential items.
Rather than buying a real tree why not invest in an artificial one?
Used year after year an artificial tree can save an awful lot of money as well as being kinder on the environment.
If money is really tight why not make decorations from silver pie dishes and milk bottle tops?
I am told that children just love making shiny decorations and not only does it save money but it also keeps the youngsters quiet.
The newfangled LED tree lights can save a fortune on the electricity bill.
Over the years the technology has evolved and from what I have seen some of the LED lights are actually brighter than the traditional filament bulbs.
Well, I hope you find my money saving tips are useful but remember a frugal Christmas can also be a Happy Christmas.
Maybe you have some money saving tips that you would like to share with us? Why not leave a comment to let us know.
What do you think?
* Don't forget my next blog will be published around 8pm on Thursday evening.
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Comments(55)
ivor
says...
8:10pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
I am pleased to hear that you found this blog informative.
~
I am always amazed why people buy Christmas fare when it is so expensive, all they have to do is wait a few days until after Christmas and store in in the back room until the end of the year to make great savings.
~
Unfortunately I do know know who Anthea and Kirsty are, I am assuming they are presenters on the television (which due to the necessity of cost cutting I do not have).
Morag
says...
8:55pm Tue 6 Dec 11
Will you be eating yours in the morning before you go to your neighbours for Christmas dinner, or when you get back in the evening?
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
9:35pm Tue 6 Dec 11
Morag wrote:and when are we getting the blog you promised on the Bigun Christmases of yesteryear?
Gosh, I am impressed you can cook a turkey, Ivor. I thought you didn't know how to use the "hot cupboard".
Will you be eating yours in the morning before you go to your neighbours for Christmas dinner, or when you get back in the evening?
ivor
says...
9:48pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
Oh no, its my neighbour who does all the cooking. The hot cupboard with the vast array of knobs and dials is a complete mystery to me. All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat.
~
I prefer to specialise in the eating part rather then the cooking part....
~
So far this year I have not yet had an official invite to visit my neighbour on Christmas Day but I can only live in hope. Of course I have the turkey all ready all year in the cold cupboard all I have to do is remove the “3 for the price of 2” sticker and nobody will be nay the wiser....
ivor
says...
9:49pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
As you have probably noticed my Tuesday blog has become a Christmas themed blog and next week I was thinking of starting a “Christmas memories of yesteryear” series of blogs featuring the events and escapades at a typical Christmas at Bigun Hall.
~
One blog will be about the preparations that happened before the big day and another will be about the events of Christmas day itself. I am considering doing a blog about how to put up decorations and a resume on dressing a Christmas tree.
mumbles26
says...
9:56pm Tue 6 Dec 11
I've often not understood the abuse and flack you get from some readers.
But purlease tell me this is a wind up blog.
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
10:07pm Tue 6 Dec 11
ivor wrote:I simply CANNOT wait.
Re the comments of Edna_Welthorpe_ at 9:35pm
~
As you have probably noticed my Tuesday blog has become a Christmas themed blog and next week I was thinking of starting a “Christmas memories of yesteryear” series of blogs featuring the events and escapades at a typical Christmas at Bigun Hall.
~
One blog will be about the preparations that happened before the big day and another will be about the events of Christmas day itself. I am considering doing a blog about how to put up decorations and a resume on dressing a Christmas tree.
ivor
says...
10:22pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
No, this blog is not a wind up. It's a sad reflection on the money saving measures that I have had to take to make Christmas happen for myself this year. No doubt there are others in the town who are also having to resort to money saving measures and I wanted to help them by passing on some tips.
~
Not everyone will be having a jolly time this year with a no expenses spared Christmas.
~
If someone was to give you a Christmas card that had obviously had a piece cut off and some paper glued on would you be offended?
~
How about if you caught a friend ironing some wrapping paper to re-use it? Would you think bad of them or have sympathy with their financial predicament?
~
The economic crisis has created some terrible hardship cases and I am sorry to say that I too am on the verge of succumbing to economic catastrophe. This is one of the reasons why I feel so upset to think that Collins House (see previous blog) is likely to be demolished as it could be providing a roof to a needy person.
ivor
says...
10:22pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
No, this blog is not a wind up. It's a sad reflection on the money saving measures that I have had to take to make Christmas happen for myself this year. No doubt there are others in the town who are also having to resort to money saving measures and I wanted to help them by passing on some tips.
~
Not everyone will be having a jolly time this year with a no expenses spared Christmas.
~
If someone was to give you a Christmas card that had obviously had a piece cut off and some paper glued on would you be offended?
~
How about if you caught a friend ironing some wrapping paper to re-use it? Would you think bad of them or have sympathy with their financial predicament?
~
The economic crisis has created some terrible hardship cases and I am sorry to say that I too am on the verge of succumbing to economic catastrophe. This is one of the reasons why I feel so upset to think that Collins House (see previous blog) is likely to be demolished as it could be providing a roof to a needy person.
ivor
says...
10:23pm Tue 6 Dec 11
~
I just hope that my reminiscences on the grandeur and opulence of Christmas past a Bigun Hall will not upset people in these times of economic hardship as all those years ago we used to have two large turkeys, one for Christmas day and another for Boxing day.
u5r23
says...
11:21am Wed 7 Dec 11
"With so many shops staying open late into the evening on Christmas Eve it can be beneficial to leave the grocery shopping to the last minute to get any bargains that may be going.
However as I found out once this can be a rather risky strategy as the shop sold out and that year I had to go without some essential items."
Bit of an oxymoron there Ivor. Most pointless advice ever.
Morag
says...
12:32pm Wed 7 Dec 11
ivor wrote:Oh that's strange. You said that you ate one of the three turkeys last Christmas but you were ill then weren't you? You said no-one came to check on you, despite all the milk bottles on the doorstep, not even your neighbour who you usually spend Christmas with. In fact, you said you spent the holidays in bed and had no recollection of Christmas at all.
Re the comments of Morag at 8:55pm ~ Oh no, its my neighbour who does all the cooking. The hot cupboard with the vast array of knobs and dials is a complete mystery to me. All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat. ~ I prefer to specialise in the eating part rather then the cooking part.... ~ So far this year I have not yet had an official invite to visit my neighbour on Christmas Day but I can only live in hope. Of course I have the turkey all ready all year in the cold cupboard all I have to do is remove the “3 for the price of 2” sticker and nobody will be nay the wiser....
.
How very confusing. And what did your poor neighbour do if you usually provide the turkey? Were you delirious when you wrote last year's Christmas blog then?
.
http://www.bucksfree
press.co.uk/yoursay/
opinion/blogs/ivor/8
758188.Christmas_is_
CANCELLED/
Morag
says...
12:56pm Wed 7 Dec 11
.
http://www.bucksfree
press.co.uk/yoursay/
opinion/blogs/ivor/4
821216.Celebrating_C
hristmas_2009/
.
Something doesn't quite add up here. I do hope your sob stories aren't stretching the truth, Ivor. Make sure you get your arrangements straight this year :-)
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
2:08pm Wed 7 Dec 11
.
And it's just occurred to me, Ivor, that you've never done a birthday blog. I would so wish to be able to wish you a happy one. I'm also curious about your age, I try and picture your childhood but can never quite ascertain. It varies from mid-1800 to the 1950s/60s.
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
2:10pm Wed 7 Dec 11
He is also in want of a wife. And a copy-editor to iron out biographical inconsistencies ;)
Morag
says...
3:06pm Wed 7 Dec 11
Edna_Welthorpe_ wrote:Yes, it tugs on the heartstrings doesn't it? Poor old Ivor. I am sure he will have a perfectly reasonable explanation for the apparent inconsistencies. He always does ;-)
Looks like Morag's been hanging out with Miss Marple. She raises some interesting findings. Obviously Ivor is trying to goad our sympathy. Whatever the story, one thing remains: he is a lonely man in what of a cheery Christmas. I always offer, but he never accepts. Ditto new year. . And it's just occurred to me, Ivor, that you've never done a birthday blog. I would so wish to be able to wish you a happy one. I'm also curious about your age, I try and picture your childhood but can never quite ascertain. It varies from mid-1800 to the 1950s/60s.
.
He has had several offers from readers to join them at Christmas but he always refuses. What a shame - I am sure he would be sparkling company.
.
I am so looking forward to "Christmas memories of yesteryear”. Perhaps we will get a better idea of Ivor's childhood years. Don't worry about us being envious of the grandeur and opulence of Christmas past at Bigun Hall, Ivor. We all love a period drama. I hope you are going to include some photographs so I can see the beautiful gowns the ladies wore.
.
Best to steer clear of a blog on dressing the Christmas tree though; I haven't forgotten the upset that caused last year either......
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
6:02pm Wed 7 Dec 11
.
Only Ivor could turn something so innocuous and tame into a scandalized outcry.
.
I second the photographs idea. Though they were probably lost in a fire/flood/alien abduction and all that are left are memories of a once great dynasty. Perhaps you could find images of those similar, Ivor, but make sure you cover copyright issues.
Edna_Welthorpe_
says...
6:04pm Wed 7 Dec 11
http://www.bucksfree
press.co.uk/leisure/
bucksintime/?ref=mmp
g
.
No doubt the teenage Ivor's pride and joy was a Wycombe-made spinning wheel or something...
Morag
says...
6:06pm Wed 7 Dec 11
Edna_Welthorpe_ wrote:Or he could blank out the faces like he did on his Twitter photo :-)
"Best to steer clear of a blog on dressing the Christmas tree though; I haven't forgotten the upset that caused last year either......" . Only Ivor could turn something so innocuous and tame into a scandalized outcry. . I second the photographs idea. Though they were probably lost in a fire/flood/alien abduction and all that are left are memories of a once great dynasty. Perhaps you could find images of those similar, Ivor, but make sure you cover copyright issues.
Morag
says...
6:19pm Wed 7 Dec 11
Edna_Welthorpe_ wrote:Yes, I have been eyeing that up. I expect Ivor's relatives are featured in there somewhere. I hope someone buys it him for Christmas.
just found a tie-in, marvelous: http://www.bucksfree press.co.uk/leisure/ bucksintime/?ref=mmp g . No doubt the teenage Ivor's pride and joy was a Wycombe-made spinning wheel or something...
.
It might help with his historical buildings blog too.
Mama36
says...
6:20pm Wed 7 Dec 11
gotanybiscuits?
says...
7:37pm Wed 7 Dec 11
Morag wrote:he's gone very quiet, hasn't he?
Oh yes, and the year before it gets even stranger. You ate Christmas lunch on your own as you didn't get an invite, then got a phone call from your neighbour asking where you were. So you rushed round there and ate theirs too. "Their lunch was wonderful indeed the plate was full to overflowing with the lovely slices of turkey and all the trimmings." So you didn't provide that turkey either?
.
http://www.bucksfree
press.co.uk/yoursay/
opinion/blogs/ivor/4
821216.Celebrating_C
hristmas_2009/
.
Something doesn't quite add up here. I do hope your sob stories aren't stretching the truth, Ivor. Make sure you get your arrangements straight this year :-)
.
resting, or changing his spots mid-stream again.....
.
indigestion is a terrible affliction
gotanybiscuits?
says...
7:38pm Wed 7 Dec 11
Morag wrote:he's gone very quiet, hasn't he?
Oh yes, and the year before it gets even stranger. You ate Christmas lunch on your own as you didn't get an invite, then got a phone call from your neighbour asking where you were. So you rushed round there and ate theirs too. "Their lunch was wonderful indeed the plate was full to overflowing with the lovely slices of turkey and all the trimmings." So you didn't provide that turkey either?
.
http://www.bucksfree
press.co.uk/yoursay/
opinion/blogs/ivor/4
821216.Celebrating_C
hristmas_2009/
.
Something doesn't quite add up here. I do hope your sob stories aren't stretching the truth, Ivor. Make sure you get your arrangements straight this year :-)
.
resting, or changing his spots mid-stream again.....
.
indigestion is a terrible affliction
ivor
says...
8:02pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
Well, the trick of buying goods at the last minute has always worked apart from that once. I just thought I would let the readers know the risks in case they ended up with disappointment like I did one year.
ivor
says...
8:02pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
Yes, that's right. Last Christmas I was indeed ill and the turkey was cooked and eaten after the big day.
~
I can assure you that you have no reason to doubt my word indeed integrity and honesty are my middle names!
ivor
says...
8:02pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
In 2009 I did not provide the turkey however yours truly did put a small contribution towards the most enjoyable dinner.
~
I can assure you that everything adds up and no matter how you try to look between the cracks you will not fault me....
ivor
says...
8:02pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
As the years have passed by I have learnt not to make too much fuss of my birthday.
~
The older I get the younger I wish I was....
ivor
says...
8:03pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
Indeed I am in want of a wife however I fear life has passed me by and I am destined to live out my days in loneliness....
ivor
says...
8:03pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
If my neighbour doe not invite me around this year then many I will take one of the readers up on their offer of hospitality.
~
I'm sure yours truly would be the life and soul of the party however the celebrations had better be up to standards or I will be writing a blog out it!
~
Actually I was going to do an updated tree dressing blog, yes, I definitely think I will do one in the hope of putting the fall out from last years blog behind me....
ivor
says...
8:03pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
I don't think any photographs were ever taken of Christmas past at Bigun Hall however there is still a clear picture painted in my mind of the opulent celebrations.
ivor
says...
8:03pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
The “Bucks in time” book does look most interesting, I may well buy a copy for myself to enjoy this Christmas.
ivor
says...
8:04pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
I regret posting that picture on Twitter now....
ivor
says...
8:04pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
I can assure you that I have all the research material anyone could ever need on the buildings of Wycombe in the library at Bigun Hall.
ivor
says...
8:04pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
Indeed there are two very large freezers commercial in the freezer room at Bigun Hall, one of them dates to the late 1970's/early 1980's and its a marvel that it is still going at all after so many years.
~
As for energy efficiency, well, they never used to bother about things like that back then....
ivor
says...
8:04pm Wed 7 Dec 11
~
Actually my absence was due to yours truly having a little nap after arriving home after a busy day at work.
piran
says...
2:54pm Thu 8 Dec 11
ivor
says...
12:28am Fri 9 Dec 11
~
Purchasing a copy of the Bucks Free Press on a Friday is part and parcel of living in Wycombe and its worth every penny.
~
I fail to see what not reading my blog would achieve indeed my blog must surely be considered essential reading for anybody who wants to keep up with the latest developments in the town and the goings on at Bigun Hall.
ivor
says...
12:28am Fri 9 Dec 11
~
Purchasing a copy of the Bucks Free Press on a Friday is part and parcel of living in Wycombe and its worth every penny.
~
I fail to see what not reading my blog would achieve indeed my blog must surely be considered essential reading for anybody who wants to keep up with the latest developments in the town and the goings on at Bigun Hall.
Lawrence Linehan
says...
4:00pm Fri 9 Dec 11
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:10pm Fri 9 Dec 11
ivor wrote:'All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat.' Your powers of observation are a credit to you. (By the way it's 'ready to eat' not 'read'.)
Re the comments of Morag at 8:55pm ~ Oh no, its my neighbour who does all the cooking. The hot cupboard with the vast array of knobs and dials is a complete mystery to me. All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat. ~ I prefer to specialise in the eating part rather then the cooking part.... ~ So far this year I have not yet had an official invite to visit my neighbour on Christmas Day but I can only live in hope. Of course I have the turkey all ready all year in the cold cupboard all I have to do is remove the “3 for the price of 2” sticker and nobody will be nay the wiser....
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:11pm Fri 9 Dec 11
Edna_Welthorpe_ wrote:How is your crusade to save the Library Gardens going?
Morag wrote: Gosh, I am impressed you can cook a turkey, Ivor. I thought you didn't know how to use the "hot cupboard". Will you be eating yours in the morning before you go to your neighbours for Christmas dinner, or when you get back in the evening?and when are we getting the blog you promised on the Bigun Christmases of yesteryear?
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:13pm Fri 9 Dec 11
Edna_Welthorpe_ wrote:I think Edna speaks on behalf of a lot of us when she says this.
ivor wrote: Re the comments of Edna_Welthorpe_ at 9:35pm ~ As you have probably noticed my Tuesday blog has become a Christmas themed blog and next week I was thinking of starting a “Christmas memories of yesteryear” series of blogs featuring the events and escapades at a typical Christmas at Bigun Hall. ~ One blog will be about the preparations that happened before the big day and another will be about the events of Christmas day itself. I am considering doing a blog about how to put up decorations and a resume on dressing a Christmas tree.I simply CANNOT wait.
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:18pm Fri 9 Dec 11
u5r23 wrote:According to the OED an oxymoron is ‘A figure of speech in which a pair of opposed or markedly contradictory terms are placed in conjunction for emphasis.’ How was igor’s blog oxymoronic – or did you just mean moronic (as usual)?
I love this... "With so many shops staying open late into the evening on Christmas Eve it can be beneficial to leave the grocery shopping to the last minute to get any bargains that may be going. However as I found out once this can be a rather risky strategy as the shop sold out and that year I had to go without some essential items." Bit of an oxymoron there Ivor. Most pointless advice ever.
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:19pm Fri 9 Dec 11
Morag wrote:What's the name of the dairy that still delivers milk (with foil tops)?
ivor wrote: Re the comments of Morag at 8:55pm ~ Oh no, its my neighbour who does all the cooking. The hot cupboard with the vast array of knobs and dials is a complete mystery to me. All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat. ~ I prefer to specialise in the eating part rather then the cooking part.... ~ So far this year I have not yet had an official invite to visit my neighbour on Christmas Day but I can only live in hope. Of course I have the turkey all ready all year in the cold cupboard all I have to do is remove the “3 for the price of 2” sticker and nobody will be nay the wiser....Oh that's strange. You said that you ate one of the three turkeys last Christmas but you were ill then weren't you? You said no-one came to check on you, despite all the milk bottles on the doorstep, not even your neighbour who you usually spend Christmas with. In fact, you said you spent the holidays in bed and had no recollection of Christmas at all. . How very confusing. And what did your poor neighbour do if you usually provide the turkey? Were you delirious when you wrote last year's Christmas blog then? . http://www.bucksfree press.co.uk/yoursay/ opinion/blogs/ivor/8 758188.Christmas_is_ CANCELLED/
ImpeturbableLawrence
says...
4:19pm Fri 9 Dec 11
Morag wrote:What's the name of the dairy that still delivers milk (with foil tops)?
ivor wrote: Re the comments of Morag at 8:55pm ~ Oh no, its my neighbour who does all the cooking. The hot cupboard with the vast array of knobs and dials is a complete mystery to me. All I know is that under the control of a skilled operator a cold meal can be put into the hot cupboard and after a pre-determined time it is read to eat. ~ I prefer to specialise in the eating part rather then the cooking part.... ~ So far this year I have not yet had an official invite to visit my neighbour on Christmas Day but I can only live in hope. Of course I have the turkey all ready all year in the cold cupboard all I have to do is remove the “3 for the price of 2” sticker and nobody will be nay the wiser....Oh that's strange. You said that you ate one of the three turkeys last Christmas but you were ill then weren't you? You said no-one came to check on you, despite all the milk bottles on the doorstep, not even your neighbour who you usually spend Christmas with. In fact, you said you spent the holidays in bed and had no recollection of Christmas at all. . How very confusing. And what did your poor neighbour do if you usually provide the turkey? Were you delirious when you wrote last year's Christmas blog then? . http://www.bucksfree press.co.uk/yoursay/ opinion/blogs/ivor/8 758188.Christmas_is_ CANCELLED/
ivor
says...
9:32pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
Well, my spell checker said it was all right....
ivor
says...
9:32pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
Indeed I have excellent powers of observation!
ivor
says...
9:33pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
Don't worry I have not forgotten about the Library Gardens. It would be a shame to see them destroyed.
ivor
says...
9:33pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
Don't worry I have not forgotten about the Library Gardens. It would be a shame to see them destroyed.
ivor
says...
9:33pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
Well, I hope you enjoy my blog when I publish it....
ivor
says...
9:33pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
I can assure you there is nothing moronic about me or my blog....
ivor
says...
9:33pm Sat 10 Dec 11
~
I think there are lots of dairies who deliver milk in proper bottles....
CruelHandedWriter
says...
9:56pm Sun 11 Dec 11
ivor
says...
10:22pm Sun 11 Dec 11
~
Indeed Christmas is a day of rest so surely but relaxing at home you can save lots of money!
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The perfect wife and mother, Rebecca runs a home, a bad temper and is working on her novel. She enjoys photography, playing the piano and likes almost anything that's out of fashion and uncool. She lives in Amersham with her husband and youngest child (aged ten). Her eldest, now 27, lives and works in Buckinghamshire.
Edna_Welthorpe_ says...
7:59pm Tue 6 Dec 11
.
Though I think Anthea Turner and Kirsty Allsop will continue to sleep soundly in their beds. (or each other's).
.