GET into the Christmas spirit without draining your finances by making your own festive drinks and bites.
Soaring costs and travel chaos are making it harder to attend Christmas markets and events but you can recreate the atmosphere at home with DIY Yuletide treats.
Here are some cheap and easy ways to raise a glass.
WARMING WINE: Make your own mulled wine and fill your home with the scent of Christmas, using a bottle of cheap red plonk, sliced clementine, a stick of cinnamon, one star anise and four cloves.
Alternatively, get Tesco Gluhwein, £5.50 a bottle, or go for the booze-free Mulled Berry punch, £2.50 a bottle at Sainsbury’s.
STOLLEN STEALS: Known in Germany as Christstollen, this yeast bread is baked with dried fruits, candied citrus peel, nuts and spices. A classic nibble at Christmas markets, it’s super-easy to make yourself.
For a festive guide, visit myfrugalchristmas.com/Stollen-Recipes.html
You could, of course, save time with the budget options at Lidl. Favorina stollen is £2.49 for 500g, or try the delicious Marzipan Stollen, £3.19 for 500g.
SUPER CIDER: Mulled cider is a Christmas market staple. Warm Healey’s Cornish Scrumpy cider 1 litre, £3.75 at Sainsbury’s, in your slow cooker, along with cinnamon sticks, sliced orange, cloves and allspice.
TERRIFIC TRINKETS: Christmas markets are perfect for picking up little festive treats.
Make your own star-shaped paper lantern using the free tutorial at YouTube.com/@Craftastic. Amazon.co.uk does a similar, pre-made version reduced from £7.49 to £6.99 now.
GINGERBREAD DELIGHTS: There’s nothing like homemade gingerbread. Make it simple by picking up gingerbread dough at Ocado for £3, or Tesco has a dry, pre-mixed pack for £1.60.
Just add golden syrup, butter and water. For the wow factor, the Lakeland build-your-own gingerbread house kit is £14.99, but Asda now sell a £4.50 version with pre-baked walls and roof, icing and sweets.
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SAVE: £25
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DOWNLOAD the M&S app and unlock the Sparks advent calendar daily to claim discounts on M&S food, clothes, plus some freebies.
So far, there’s been a free hand cream up for grabs, with more coming.
NOTE down your favourite dishes in a personalised recipe book, £26, Papier.com, or get The Leaf Press Amazon.co.uk personalised pad, £7.25.
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SIP on a cup of coffee at Waitrose without paying a penny.
The free, in-store self-service coffee with your MyWaitrose card is back.
Just make sure you have your reusable cup.
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SAVE: £1.01
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