This post is part of the 100 Days ’til Christmas Challenge — one small step each day to make the holiday season less stressful and a lot more fun.
The holidays are magical, but let’s be real—they’re also expensive. Between the gifts, the food, the little festive outings, and that one last-minute Target run where you swear you only need tape but somehow walk out $87 poorer… it adds up fast.
And if you’ve ever found yourself blowing past your holiday budget—or worse, not even having one and just crossing your fingers the credit card bill won’t be too scary—you’re not alone.
The good news? Starting early makes all the difference. With 97 days left until Christmas, now is the perfect time to set up a holiday budget. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and once you’ve got it in place, you’ll feel so much lighter heading into December.
Why a Holiday Budget Matters
It’s not just the big expenses like gifts and travel that get us. It’s the sneaky extras: stocking stuffers, baking supplies, postage for Christmas cards, shipping fees, tips for service providers. One or two don’t feel like a big deal, but together they can completely derail your plans.
A budget gives you a plan. It’s not about restriction—it’s about peace of mind. When you know what you’ve accounted for, you can actually enjoy the season without second-guessing every purchase.
Breaking Down Your Holiday Spending
Here’s a simple way to divide things up so you don’t miss a category:
- Gifts: family, friends, teachers, coaches, stocking stuffers
- Food & Entertaining: holiday meals, baking, drinks, party supplies
- Travel: gas, flights, hotels, snacks on the road
- Décor & Wrapping: tree, lights, ornaments, wrapping paper, gift bags
- Activities & Experiences: concerts, Santa visits, family traditions
- Miscellaneous: cards and postage, shipping gifts, charitable giving, tips
Start with your overall number—the total amount you’re comfortable spending—and then spread it across these categories. You can give each one a rough percentage if you like, or just assign amounts based on what feels realistic for your family.
Tracking As You Go
A budget only works if you keep it updated. Jot down your estimates now, and then make a note of the actual amounts once you shop or book something. Keep a running total so you always know how close you are to your overall number.
Free Holiday Budget Planner
To make things easier, I created a two-page printable Holiday Budget Planner with these categories already laid out. It has space for your estimates, actual amounts, and totals so you can keep everything in one spot.
👉All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter and you will get access to all the printables I create between now and Christmas!
A Few Extra Tips
- Use cash or prepaid gift cards for categories you tend to overspend on.
- Take advantage of early sales to spread out the cost.
- Keep receipts in one place (an envelope or notes app works fine).
- Don’t forget to include shipping costs and postage—they add up quickly.
Wrapping It Up
The holidays are supposed to be joyful, not stressful. A simple budget keeps you in control and frees up headspace for the fun stuff—like movie nights, cookie baking, and time with family. Whether you jot it down on paper, make a spreadsheet, or use my printable, planning now will make December feel a whole lot easier.
