We are at the end of the first week of January and I am starting as I mean to go on, saving on the right things so that we can indulge in the fun things. I have written a post this week about 40 things I would like to do this year and some of them are not cheap, so my attempt at making some savings will go towards our adventures this year.

Here is how I have got on this week:

1. Eating out of the freezer.

Before Christmas I bought a ridiculous amount of food and whilst we have obviously eaten all of the fresh stuff, there were other bits and pieces that have been put into the freezer. Now I cannot claim that we have had Michelin star meal this week and there have definitely been some random collaborations but it has reduced the shopping bill and eased the pressure on my freezer.

2. Savvy sale shopping

My daughters have got a fabulous circle of friends but this often means lots of party invitations and like their mother, they love to give nice presents. So I have set to work in the sales this year, finding fantastic branded gifts at half the original price. They will go into my present cupboards so there is no last minute (expensive) panic buying when the birthdays roll around.

3. Not buying in the sale

I realise that this sounds like a complete contradiction to number 2 but I am terrible for online shopping and the pull of the sales is akin to an addiction but I walked away from the laptop. I have said "do I really need it" and asked myself "did I want it when it was full price" and if the answer is no, then I am recognising that it is just my desire to have parcels arriving rather than me actually needing to buy it!

4. Taking / making lunch

I know that this is an old one and whilst I very often take my lunch, having given up sugar I have found that I am regularly buying "Coke Zero" or "Pepsi Max" while I am out and about, which isn't really cost effective. So I have bought in bulk from the supermaket and stashed a supply in my car. The bonus is, at least if I break down I won't dehydrate either ;-)

5. Starting a penny jar

I used to do this years ago and put all my loose change into an oversized bottle and empty it out once a year. Inspired by a blog post from Emma at Mums Savvy Savings I am going to give this a go this year. 

Are you starting January with renewed enthusiam?

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There "may be" a big birthday this year and while I am still feeling 19 in my head, I realise that as I hurtle towards being 40 there are some things I would like to have achieved / completed / indulged in* (*delete as necessary).

So if you are looking for ideas for your own bucket list, take a look below and let me know what you would add!!

1. Go To Scotland
2. Try Glamping for at least one night
3. Visit a Castle
4. Go To Italy
5. Do a Mud Run
6. Go to the London Dungeons
7. Afternoon Tea at the Ritz / Claridges or somewhere like that
8. Go to a West End Show with the girls
9. Get a piercing
10. Visit my Nan’s sister in Somerset
11. Go to Cheddar Gorge
12. Try Oysters
13. Get a new hair style or colour.
14. Learn something new
15. Have a makeover and stop using the same techniques I have been doing for past 10 years.
16. Go to a drive in movie
17. Conquer my fear of heights by “attempting” Go Ape
18. Watch a sunrise or sunset.
19. Do something good for someone who doesn’t know who I am.
20. Break my habit with sugar
21. Be the fittest / healthiest I have ever been
22. Buy (and drink) a really expensive bottle of champagne and don’t feel guilty about it
23. Do an “escape” room challenge
24. Do a digital detox for an entire weekend
25. Travel First Class
26. Master a cocktail
27. Update my will
28. Try a new drink and enjoy it at GONG in the Shard
29. Book a day off to spend by myself
30. Write a letter to my 50 year old self and save it in a time capsule
31. Do an indoor skydive
32. Go skating on an outdoor ice rink
33. Dine in a Michelin star restaurant
34. Buy fresh flowers more often and not always the same ones.
35. Wear something bright and step away from always wearing black
36. Go to a music festival …. Or at least watch live music somewhere new!
37. Take the girls to their first concert
38. Try Pilates
39. Go paintballing
40. Have a party with all of my favourite people

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Without a doubt, Christmas is the season of over indulgence. From October onwards – some of us sooner – we begin to plan just how excessive we can be, come the 25^th December. Whether we’re drafting out Christmas lists as long as our arms, stocking up on bottles across the weekly shops, or planning a festive feast fit for kings, we’re prepared for extravagance at any cost.

A one way road to tinsel town

Whoever you are, you’re well within your rights to go all out over Christmas. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Yet, amidst all the excitement, it can become all too easy to go way overboard, spending savings, racking up the credit bills, plummeting down to the breadline just in time for the January blues.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s definitely a fine line between nailing the niceties and going OTT. If you sense you’re on a one way road to tinsel town, reign yourself in and assess what’s important and what’s not. Once you know where to place your efforts, your time, and your hard-earned money, you’ll know exactly when to be extravagant at Christmas and when not to be.

Personalising your Christmas

We have all sent those Christmas cards with the family photos on them (haven't we) but this could be the just start, you could personalise almost everything about your Christmas by creating your own family logo like our Lilypad one above. We tried out the company Logojoy who make creating logo childs play. You could use your logo for a seal on your Christmas cards or have your Christmas napkins embossed to really be extravagant this year.

Christmas with the kids

Many of our Little Lilypad readers have children, and definitely place personal value on creating the magic of Christmas for their young ones. I think it is fair to say that when your Children are small, going all out to see those eyes sparkle is certainly a priority.

Most would agree that the ‘parenting era’ is when you can go OTT, for sure. Yet, while it’s a pleasure to pile presents under the tree, it’s sometimes more worthwhile to spread out those festive feels throughout the month.

Rather than ploughing all your pounds into prezzies, make Christmas an event. Look at experiencing theatre shows, pantos, Christmas markets, ice skating, Santa visits, woodland walks, Christmas craft activities, Elf on the Shelf, Christmas films and snacks… there’s so much to do around Christmastime, it really is the perfect opportunity to create family memories.

All I want for Christmas is… 

While giving gifts to loved ones can be a particularly pleasurable gesture, seriously give your budget the once over. What can you afford without dreading the sight of your bank balance? Often thoughtful, personal gifts are worth so much more than fortunes spent on the high street. If you have time, consider crafting some homemade creations with the kids.

And remember, not everything has to be so matchy-matchy. Don’t buy a new dinner set because you’re plate short, and don’t buy a new set of chairs because Auntie Eileen has invited herself along for a bit of your best turkey.

Cast your mind back to when you were young. Much of the charm was in the family being together, along with the odd bits and bots that made the day perfect in its own imperfect kind of way.

Be as extravagant as you want this Christmas but remember to be extravagant with children, with love, with well wishes, and with warmth this Christmas.

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