Five ways to enjoy the festive season without overspending

The festive season is just around the corner, and while the focus is on connecting with family and friends, the risk of overstretching the budget looms large. 

The team from Laager Rooibos has shared some innovative tips to make the most of the season, without overspending.

"From gifts to hosting Christmas get-togethers, this time of year can get very expensive for any family, which can cast a shadow of stress over the holiday season," explained Candice Sessions, Laager Rooibos Marketing Manager. 

"To avoid feeling the effects of over-spending when Janu-worry arrives, we've put together some creative ways to make your budget go further this festive season, without you having to limit the fun and festivities."

Make your own and save with these five festive ideas 

1.       Make your own festive iced tea

Summer is a great time for refreshingly fruity and colourful drinks, but you don’t need to rely on sugar-laden soft drinks that add unnecessary costs. 

You can create a refreshingly festive iced tea by brewing your favourite flavoured teas, adding fresh fruit, a touch of honey, and plenty of ice. Garnish with mint leaves or citrus slices for a festive touch. 

Try this iced tea recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 8 Laager Tea4Kidz strawberry teabags
• 2l boiling water
• 2 tsp honey (optional to taste)
• Assortment of fresh berries

Method:

• Brew Laager Tea4Kidz teabags in boiling water, stir for 3-5 minutes then remove teabags.
• Cool and pour into jug, Add honey and stir continuously until honey is dissolved.
• Place jug in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Add fresh berries and ice, and enjoy!

2.       Make your own Christmas wrapping paper

Store-bought Christmas paper is expensive, and it doesn't go very far! 

Give it a miss this year and add a personal touch to your gifts. Simply get some plain brown paper or recyclable newsprint, and let the kids decorate this with festive stamps, stencils, or hand-drawn designs. 

Complete the gift with a colourful string or add a sprig of greenery for an eco-friendly, beautiful finish.

3.       Make your own Christmas gifts 

Handmade gifts show thought and love while saving money. Some great examples of easy-to-make gifts include:

• Tea Gift Sets: Bundle your favourite Laager flavour with a festive mug and a bag of handmade biscuits.
• DIY Ornaments: Use salt dough or clay to create unique tree decorations.
• Homemade Sugar Scrubs: Mix sugar, coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oil for a pampering gift.

• DIY Hot Chocolate Kits: Layer cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, and crushed candy canes in a clear jar. Include a small wooden spoon or a festive ribbon, and attach instructions for making a warm holiday drink. Photo Memory Book or Calendar: Print your favourite family or friend photos and arrange them in a DIY scrapbook or calendar. Add captions, stickers, and decorative paper for a personal and heartfelt touch.  

4.       Make your own Christmas cookies 

Christmas cookies are a great gift, as well as a wonderful addition to any festive gathering. 

Rather than relying on store-bought cookies, you can bake your own. Try this recipe:

Ingredients

• ¼ cup, plus 1 tbsp sugar
• 5 Laager Tea4Kidz Original Rooibos teabags
• 1 vanilla bean (whole), ends trimmed and cut into segments
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ¼ cup icing sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 tsp. milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ tbsp brown sugar

Method

• Heat a small stainless-steel pan over medium heat.
• Cut open the Laager Tea4Kidz teabags and remove the loose leaves inside the bags. When the pan is hot, add Laager Tea4Kidz leaves and shake pan to distribute tea into a single layer.
• Toast for about 2 minutes, until tea is fragrant but not darkened. Depending on your leaves, this may happen much more quickly so watch it carefully.
• When the leaves are fragrant, transfer them to a bowl and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Combine the brown sugar, vanilla bean, and Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos in the bowl of a food processor and pulse for about 2 minutes, until there are no chunks of bean left in the bowl.
• Add the icing sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl and pulse a few times to combine.
• Then add the milk, vanilla essence, and butter and pulse several times, until a dough forms.
• Turn dough onto a very lightly floured surface, gather it together, and roll it gently into a log 4cm in diameter.
• Sprinkle brown sugar onto a plate or work surface, and roll cookie dough log in the sugar, making sure to cover the entire surface of the log.
• Wrap log in plastic or wax paper and transfer to the fridge or freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill (you can always leave the log in the freezer for another occasion if you’re strapped for time).
• When ready to bake, turn on the oven to preheat to 190°C and line a baking sheet with wax wrap.
• Remove log from fridge or freezer, and cut 1cm slices off the log, rotating the log as you go to ensure that cookie slices stay round.
• Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each one (they don’t really spread, but they need breathing room to crisp up).
• Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are just starting to brown. Leave on the cookie sheet to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks.
• Cookies will keep in an airtight container for several days.

5.       Make your own festive fun

Instead of expensive outings, create holiday traditions at home. Have your own festive fun and games at home. 

Watch here: 

Celebrate the season, make memories, and stay on budget with these festive money-saving hacks!

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