FIVE WAYS TO BEAT MONEY STRESS IN THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS

With Halloween and Bonfire Night over, you might have already started thinking about the next event. Celebrations are great and focusing on them can help us feel excited – but sometimes they can also be a drain. It is at this time of year that we are under more pressure to spend money. With retailers already promoting Black Friday – plus Christmas and New Year approaching – it can all feel a bit much.

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Financial pressures can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing. We can experience symptoms of stress and anxiety, and are at risk of developing low mood or having sleep problems. All of this can affect on our ability to work, function in daily life as we want to, and even our relationships.

Levels of debt peak at the end of December, with debt advice organisations seeing a record number of people seeking support through January. Now is a good time to be aware of societal and retail pressure to spend so that where we are able, we step out of that whirlwind of consumerism.

There are a few consumer-led beliefs that society, brands and retailers try to make us accept. If we accept these attitudes, we can fall into a cycle of spending and financial worries. Let’s look at these, and at how can we choose not to follow them…

Relationship myths

Our society, the advertising industry, and retailers like to make us think that we need to buy expensive gifts for those we love. We therefore grow up thinking that the more expensive the gift, the more that person will feel appreciated, and the better our relationship will be with them. True friendship and love should not be based on how much you spend on someone for Christmas; it is based on the time you invest in that relationship, the kindness you show, the empathy you have, the hugs you give, the laughs you have together.

When drawing up your Christmas list in the next few weeks, think about who you actually need to buy anything for, set a budget and limit for gifts and don’t compromise on that boundary. Think about things you could do for them rather than buy them. Ask the question in your friendship group about whether or not you actually buy gifts this year. You might be surprised by how many people are relieved and grateful for you mentioning it.

How to feel better

Times are extremely challenging when it comes to finances and prices of basics, and that can bring up a lot of very difficult feelings of worry, anxiety and low mood. The consumerist world takes that one step further and tries to make us believe that acquiring lots of things beyond what we need will bring us happiness and personal wellbeing. It tries to make us think that we need to keep up with the latest trends that are spun, even if that is to the detriment of our bank balance. We can get a dopamine burst when we purchase something, but that is short-term, and eventually spending from a place of pressure will make us feel worse.

Becoming aware of how you are feeling, and why, and as a consequence, how you may spend, is really useful. Name your three top healthier ways to help yourself feel better that are free, easy and that will nurture you in that moment and in the long-term: getting active, listening to music, phoning a friend to chat about how you feel, going for a walk, writing down how you feel. These can all lift your mood in a way that serves you and interrupts that potential cycle.

Shop-bought vs homemade

We have been made to believe that shop-bought is so much better than home-made. Why? When we make something at home – a gift, a piece of clothing, a cake, an accessory – there are so many more layers of benefit for our wellbeing. We spend time doing something mindful, so our minds are taken away from worries, we can source materials that are less expensive, we practise a skill or learn a new one, and we can make something that is bespoke and tailored to the recipient. People are so much more touched by something with thought put into it, rather than something from a shop that thousands of other people have. What can you create at home by yourself that will be a lovely gift and less expensive?

Novelty wins

Trends in products – especially in the world of fashion – come and go like the wind. Not only is it expensive to keep up, it is also damaging environmentally. Build your confidence in who you are, what your style is, and how you want to look. Classic pieces of clothing or products that stand the test of time are a great investment and last longer, saving you money. Again, society makes us feel we have to keep up with the latest everything because otherwise we will be left behind, won’t fit in or won’t be part of the group. But people respect and admire individuality and uniqueness, so be yourself. There are so many options now for upcycled furniture, pre-loved clothes and pre-loved gifts that are less expensive and give back to charities or organisations too.

Socialising ‘shoulds’

Society encourages us to think that we also need to spend a lot when we connect with others at this time of year. Rather than a big night out or an expensive dinner, maybe you could all cook a dish at home together for an evening and watch a film, or have a cheapish day out looking round a new area, or walking somewhere, or something online such as group-watching a film or a book club? Research shows we connect better when we do an activity or have an experience together.

Financial worries can isolate us – we feel shame even though it is not our fault, and we can find it hard to tell someone we are struggling. Let someone know if you are finding things difficult, and as early as you can, so you can get the support you need. There are lots of resources out there, including on money advice and help with debt (MoneyHelper, National Debtline, Step Change), and you can also ask Citizens Advice about what other financial support might be available.

2025-11-08T07:51:48Z