How to save this Christmas - 2025
We understand the lead-up to the festive period can be stressful, with pressure to over-spend.
We want to help you prepare and budget, and find more affordable alternatives.
Here are our top tips:
1. Use Housing Perks - Housing Perks is an exclusive discount app for tenants with over 100 supermarkets, high street shops and online retailers included, helping save money on food, clothes, toys and gifts.
Discounts of up to 10% are available at retailers like ASDA, B&M, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Primark, Argos and TK Maxx.
The app also has a new feature where savings can automatically go towards paying your rent.
Find out more here: Housing Perks - save money on essentials | Progress Housing Group
2. Worried about being able to afford everything on your children’s wish lists?
Seek out good quality, second-hand items through charity shops or toy swap shops and local Facebook Marketplace groups.
Search online to find out when retailers are holding toy sales.
Money Saving Expert has some good articles and tips for sales and big savings.
3. Calculate your budget (use this free budget planner)
Make a list and stick to it, to make sure you don’t go overboard. We all want the perfect Christmas, but not at the risk of getting into debt or not being able to afford your rent or bills.
Start saving early by putting a small amount of money aside each month.
4. Avoid buying for the sake of it
If you feel guilty because of what other people have bought in the past, explain you want to cut back this year and focus on giving gifts to your children and close relatives.
5. Secret Santa
Buy one gift within a large group of friends or family, rather than buying everyone a present.
6. Make your gift meaningful
Instead of spending money on a gift, why not perform a goodwill gesture? Offer to babysit, do someone’s household chores, spend some quality time with someone who is isolated, or treat someone.
Create special memories by making plans to spend a day or evening with someone and an affordable activity, like a treat day.
Here is what we are doing to help families in our community through our associated charity work with Key Unlocking Futures:
• The Base on Broadfield and Wade Hall Community Association are joining forces to provide children from our Broadfield and Wade Hall communities with a Christmas Eve bag filled with treats, Christmas presents and a new pair of pyjamas.
If you would like to donate new pyjamas and/or sweets and chocolates, drop them off at The Base, Bannister Drive, Leyland, or The Place, Royal Avenue, Leyland, by the middle of December.
Referrals for a Christmas Eve bag open on Wednesday 1 October and will close on Monday 1 December. Referrals can only be made in person. Contact The Base on 01772 288088 or The Place on 01772 426270.
• If you want to show your support to others, South Ribble and Chorley women’s refuges will hold their Christmas Wish Tree Appeal. Details on this will be released soon.
Here are some more Lancashire-based resources and ideas to help you get ready for December.
1. Credit Unions/community banks
Credit Unions offer easy saving options and affordable loans.
They will only lend money to people who can afford to make the repayments. If they can’t lend to you, they might be able to provide or signpost you to other support, such as budget planning, benefits calculators and debt advice.
To find your local Credit Union, visit https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/
2. iHOPE Fylde’s pop-up pre-loved events – A group of volunteers led by our Independent Living Coordinator Tracey organise regular pre-loved pop-up events, where people can pick up household items, clothes, toys and bric-a-brac for free. Follow the group on Facebook for the latest dates: IHOPE Fylde | Facebook
3. Penwortham Care and Share - A clothes and toy bank at Penwortham Community Centre in Kingsfold on the last Tuesday of the month from 9am - noon.
Donations are always welcome, please call Lindsey on 07763 197615 or email harringtonlindsey10@gmail.com. This is supported by Penwortham Town Council.
The volunteers also support the car boot sale at St Bernards and Larches Community Hub, on the first Sunday of the month, 9am – 12pm.
4.Clothing and bric-a-brac exchange - The Base on Broadfield, Leyland - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10am - 5pm; Wednesday 10am - 5pm, Friday, 10am - 2pm.
5. Tippy Toes Baby Bank donates good quality, second-hand clothes, equipment, furniture and new toiletries to families. For more information visit www.tippytoesbabybank.co.uk
6. Lancashire County Council Holiday and Food (HAF) programme – activities and clubs running over the Christmas holidays. Keep an eye out on LCC’s website for new dates: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/school-holiday-activities/