Seasonal
How to plan a Christmas budget you'll actually stick to
Most Christmas overspending happens because nobody set a total. Decide the number first, then make the list fit it.
1. Set one total
Look at what you can genuinely spare between now and December, without borrowing. That figure is your budget, and it covers everything: gifts, food, drink, travel, decorations and wrapping.
2. Split it up
| Gifts (8 people) | £340 |
| Food and drink | £150 |
| Travel | £50 |
| Cards, wrapping and decorations | £30 |
| Buffer | £30 |
| Total | £600 |
Our Christmas budget calculator does this split for you.
3. Spread it from November
With about eight weeks to go, £600 is £75 a week. Moving that into a separate savings pot every payday stops it all landing on one month's card bill.
4. Track as you buy
Write down each gift and what you paid. Black Friday "deals" are only a saving if they were already on your list.
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner keeps your gift list, spending and countdown in one place.
See the planner