TOAST the New Year with a champagne cocktail.
Or if that sounds like it will pop your purse strings, there are lots of ways to cut your costs. Keep the bubbles within your budget with these ideas . . .
You can still enjoy a champagne party for New Year’s on a budget with our tipsShutterstock
BEST VALUE FIZZ: Champagne can be a little pricey, so use whatever sparkling wine you can afford.
Prosecco is the obvious choice but cava or cremant will work fine.
Just bear in mind whether the fizz is dry or sweet and tweak the sweetness of your other ingredients accordingly.
SQUEEZE SOME SAVINGS: For seasonal cocktails, add orange or cranberry juice.
For example, you can squeeze out the juice of six clementines or satsumas and gently mix with the juice of half a lemon and 100g caster sugar.
Heat gently in a pan until the sugar dissolves, then simmer gently for five minutes until it thickens to a syrup.
Allow to cool, then chill in the fridge.
Divide it between six champagne flutes then top up with your bubbles.
SHAKE THINGS UP: Giving a cocktail a good shake is the best way to mix the ingredients and cool them with the ice.
But don’t worry if you cannot lay your hands on a cocktail shaker. Just use a water bottle with a lid.
Add your ingredients and ice, close the top and shake.
USE YOUR BOOZE: There is no point buying a long list of cocktail ingredients if you have a cupboard full of unfinished bottles.
Instead, plan your drinks depending on what you have already. Found some gin?
A French 75 with gin, lemon juice and fizz will be just the ticket. Got some rum?
Give your party a tropical vibe by using it with pineapple juice topped up with some champagne, cava or prosecco.
THAT’S THE SPIRIT: If you do need to buy an extra ingredient for your New Year tipple, ensure it doesn’t cost too much.
Buy supermarket own- brand if possible. Asda has a raspberry liqueur for £8, 50cl. That’s half the price per litre of a bottle of Chambord.
Deal of the day
Dunelm has slashed the price of these fur throws by halfSupplied
SNUGGLE up in an Eska pink faux fur throw from Dunelm, down from £50 to £25.
SAVE: £25
Cheap treat
Morrisons is helping your New Year’s health kick by selling discount smoothiesSupplied
AFTER the festive indulgence, an Innocent Tropical Defence smoothie is just the thing, and it is down from £4.50 to £2.50 at Morrisons.
SAVE: £2
What’s new
TO help us with our good intentions, Asda is launching 45 products under its Health Menu range, with soups starting from 75p and dishes such as butternut squash linguine for £4.75.
Top swap
Pooky is selling a printed lampshade for £71Supplied
SWITCH up your interiors with the 30cm empire linen printed ikat shade, above, £71 from Pooky or switch down the cost with a similar look from La Redoute’s Isadora shade, below, £21.75.
SAVE: £49.25
La Redoute are selling their own version for £21.75Supplied
Leah’s little helper
ONLINE searches for new kitchens peak in late December.
In the Wickes winter sale, get half-price kitchen units in the Bespoke range, plus up to 20 per cent off bathroom products.
Shop & save
Sainsbury’s are selling these platform shoes at a big discountSupplied
STAND tall in the navy patent platform Mary Jane shoes from Sainsbury’s, down from £22 to £6.60
SAVE: £15.40
Hot right now
THERE is 30 per cent off selected beauty gift sets at M&S, including Neal’s Yard Restoring Bath Scents set, down from £24 to £16.80.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.