Wednesday 16-12-2020 - 14:09

2020 is almost a wrap...

What a year it's been for the world. This Christmas will feel more special than before as we will appreciate being surrounded by our loved ones more than ever after months of separation. As the University and Students' Union alike wraps up the calendar year, 2021 will surely bring a year of more normality and joy as the emergence of a vaccine will hopefully prevail over the coming months. 

Preparing for the big day!

If you've not yet got everything sorted for Christmas (like me) then now is the time to do some last minute preparation! Decorations, gifts and food shopping can be very stressful at this time of year. However, gifts don't have to be expensive, and it's important not to get yourself into debt in buying presents for those you love. Sometimes, less is more, and even a simple gesture can go a long way. With the temporary relaxation of socialisation rules over the Christmas period, the best gift will be seeing those we love. Handmade gifts such as scrapbooks or some home baking cost next to nothing to prepare, while still showing those important to us how much we care. 

It really is possible to do Christmas on a budget! But first of all, it's important to establish a budget to keep track of spending and give you some peace of mind. Cutting back on a few luxuries that you don't necessarily need could give you a little extra breathing space. 

Prioritise what's most important to you this Christmas. In an ideal world, it's great to have the the top-label trimmings, the most expensive gifts and the fanciest decorations. On the other hand, though, cheaper options are often almost as satisfying as the most expensive ones, so there's seldom the need to get carried away with getting the best of everything. If you prioritise the luxuries during the festive period that are most important to you and leave the things out that aren't as necessary, both you and your bank account will have a fantastic Christmas.

Beware of 'Christmas deals' as retailers aren't always genuine in their approach for your custom. The reality is that businesses are trying to make as much money as possible, and Christmas is often the time of year where they will make the most profit. With that in mind, remember that something dressed up as an amazing deal isn't always necessarily saving you any money. Doing some light research like shopping around to compare prices could save you money.

Bargain-hunting for Christmas food is also something worth noting, with supermarkets likely to slash their prices of items such as meat as the big day draws nearer. 

There's also no shame in agreeing with your friends and family not to do gifts this year. Both parties will save money and the stress of sorting out a gift! Win-win. Check out Martin Lewis' video on unnecessary gifting here.

What to look forward to in the New Year at your Students' Union

We've got a range of things lined up to kick off the New Year and new semester. We'll be hosting a Refreshers' event on the 3rd of February. There'll also be a student takeover starting on the 1st of February and running through to the 5th! More information will be released in the New Year, but for now, feel free to contact your student groups with any questions. 

The Lazy Lion will be re-opening for business in February, with more events in the pipeline. This semester, we managed to host three events with the Halloween Quiz, Mo Bros and Winter Wonderland. We aim to continue where we left off in 2021, whilst maintaining our efforts to keep you all safe throughout. Watch this space!

We hope you all stay safe this Christmas and that the end of a difficult year brings you joy and hope for the future. Last but definitely not least, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Wrexham Glyndwr Students' Union!

Support over the Christmas holiday

We recognise that for some of you, Christmas can be a tough time. With University services closing from the 24th of December to the 4th of January, we don't want you to be without support during this period. If you find yourself struggling and are in need of support, then please visit the Advice section on our website for some useful external avenues of support that you can reach out to. Alternatively, the University has published resources here which will be accessible over the Christmas period for those of you who might need it. Don't suffer in silence. 

Written by Lauren Hole, WGSU Digital Marketing Assistant

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