Christmas pyjamas, Elf on the Shelf, Winter Wonderland – what to cut out for a cheaper, less stressful festive season

Christmas is a tough time – we are busy and overwhelmed by things to organise. We are also over-stretched financially – few parents will be that surprised by the survey this week showing it now costs £249,000 on average to raise a child.

This burden is not aided by the increasing “family traditions” that are now heavily commercialised. It feels hard to push back on some of them – and once you get on the bandwagon, it proves difficult to get off without looking like a modern-day Mum-Scrooge.

However, there are some things this year that I am putting my foot down on, and it will save me thousands.

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My anti-Christmas list

1. The entire family in Christmas pyjamas

When did we all have to wear matching pyjamas? I remember a couple of years ago it was sort of a thing, but now it seems that it’s become a prerequisite for having a proper, family Christmas – and not just for kids.

I’ll admit that I sometimes get them for my daughters (I’m still on the fence a little in that regard), but for the whole family, and the PETS? Luckily, we have cats and they won’t clamber into a pair of pyjamas without sedation, which isn’t very festive.

I can’t be the only one who thinks that matching pyjamas perhaps looks a bit cultish, and perhaps even a bit NAFF? A bit awkward? Like you wish you were anywhere else than in this particular spot right now? Also, why is it necessary to gift pyjamas the night before Christmas when your kids are going to be getting presents the next day? Let’s get off that Christmas pyjama bandwagon. Let’s wear the ones from last year, or god forbid, not buy Christmas ones at all.

Cost saved: £60  

2. Ridiculous festive meal occasions that have been invented by food brands

I’m talking about how we are expected to eat certain things at breakfast on Christmas Day (and not just have a smallish breakfast so we can save room for the main event). And also eat certain things on Christmas Eve, like tiny canapés, mini kebab mince pies or rotisserie chickens on sticks. I honestly only care about Christmas dinner and luckily most of my family are the same.

And yes, on the day we can definitely pull crackers because that is what we do at Christmas but not the crackers that cost 20 quid each because they have a silk eye mask in each one or something equally ridiculous.

Cost saved: £100 

3. Table decorations that are eye-wateringly expensive

I do love seeing those pictures of idealised Christmas tables with a special ‘theme’, and a table display and matching tableware, and serving dishes etc, but investing in items that are only used once a year feels wasteful, and who has space to store all that stuff for the other 364 days of the year.

Last year, I used a cheap Santa tablecloth, and everyone loved it. It wasn’t very environmentally friendly, perhaps, but it was used to cover up a bike for 6 months in the garden afterwards, so, actually, not too bad.

I did look at a gorgeous one that had built-in lights, but then I reminded myself that it had nowhere to live the rest of the year, and it was better to give that money to charity.

Cost saved: minimum £100

4. Advent calendars with full-size beauty products

This was definitely not a thing when I was growing up. We got advent calendars (if we got them at all) with chocolates inside, and that was really great. I was genuinely excited when I found a chocolate inside. Fast forward to modern times and there’s a tween opening a full-size anti-ageing skincare cream and complaining that she already has it (this happens in some households, I’m sure). They are also environmentally bad as they produce so much packaging.

Cost saved: £65 at least 

5. Special clothes for Christmas Day that have to be either tartan or covered in sequins

Do you need to wear an entire outfit that is only okay for one day? No.

Cost saved: £100 and then some. 

6. Stockings for pets

No explanation needed. Maybe this is different if you have pets and not kids. For me, the cats can’t tell if it’s Christmas or not, and are happy with a bit of turkey tossed under the table on Christmas Day and a warm fire.

Cost saved: £20. 

7. Every kind of Christmas dessert imaginable

I know some people who get Christmas puddings, Christmas cakes, Christmas pies, Christmas biscuits, Christmas EVERYTHING.

I feel you should decide on what tribe you’re in pudding-wise and pick one. No law says you have to have all of them to offer guests. I know this might be controversial, but it really does help the budget, and guests should bring a pudding anyway.

Cost saved £50 

8. Christmas Eve boxes for kids

I don’t know when this became a thing. Probably around the time of “Elf on the Shelf” (a toy elf that sits on a shelf to watch over the kids on behalf of Santa).

I’ll admit I am guilty of doing this box thing. But these days, I simply make a hot chocolate on Christmas Eve and put a marshmallow in it instead. In fairness, though, the Elf on the Shelf thing doesn’t cost anything apart from your sanity. Yes, you can buy clothes for them but that’s silly right? Or am I coming across as Mum-Scrooge? Listen, if you like buying clothes for your Elf then keep going, who am I to judge?

Cost saved: £30 

9. Christmas wreaths from a florist who supplies them to Meghan Markle

I do like to hang something on the door but I also believe these wreaths have become a status symbol (also the outdoor decorations that are tasteful but mind-meltingly expensive). We have one from the supermarket, and it’s not something that was made by a florist and cost £400.

This year I have a Halloween one that I will maybe customise – maybe by painting mini beards on the skulls and seeing if that looks festive or scary.

Cost saved: £400. 

10. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

This is one for the London parents. I know this is bad as so many kids love to go but seriously? The prices are crazy, and I feel like my kids can go when they’re adults if they still want to. Candy floss is £6 and I think rides are around £10 a pop. Any parent I speak to says they regret going.

Cost saved: £200.  

I’m aware that a lot of people might hate me when they read this list. They will say that Christmas is a time for living and giving and sharing and caring and all of that is true. So ignore the list if you like but please head my advice: don’t feel under pressure to deliver all these crazy things that cost lots of money.

The meaning of Christmas for most people is connection and maybe a bit of time to rest and it’s not about how much money you spend. Isn’t that the moral of just about every Christmas film too?

Total cost saved: £1,125