Thriftmas: How to make the best of Christmas with the whole family on a budget

All it takes is a little imagination and planning to keep the costs of the festival season under control. 

Lyndsey O’Connell with her twin daughters, Martha (left) and Jane O’Connell Devine, holding their homemade Christmas wreath.

It's an annual conundrum for parents: Ensuring the magic of Christmas for their children without breaking the bank. And this year in particular, money is on our minds.

A KPMG Next Gen Retail Survey, published last month, found 72% of respondents expect Christmas shopping to be more expensive this year.