The Pre-Christmas budget check

22 Oct 2025

How to avoid festive overspending

As spring turns to summer, we start looking forward to Christmas gatherings, holidays and gift-giving. With the festive season fast approaching and the cost of living still rising, now is the perfect time to give your finances a pre-Christmas check-up. A little planning in October can make December far less stressful and help you start the new year without a credit card hangover.

Start by setting a realistic festive budget. Take a close look at your current income and expenses to work out how much you can comfortably spend without dipping into savings or taking on debt. Divide this total into categories such as gifts, food, travel and entertainment. Having clear limits for each area helps you stay in control and prevents those “just one more” impulse buys.

Next, make a gift list early and start shopping ahead of time. Buying gradually spreads the cost over several weeks and lets you take advantage of sales and online discounts. If you have a large family, suggest Secret Santa or set a spending cap. Most people appreciate thoughtful, affordable gifts far more than extravagant ones.

Review your subscriptions and memberships to find extra cash. Streaming services, unused gym memberships or duplicate online accounts can quietly drain your budget. Cancelling or pausing them before Christmas can free up funds for the fun stuff, like festive feasts or travel with loved ones.

When it comes to holiday spreads and entertaining, plan your menus and share the load. Ask each guest to contribute a dish or drinks or shop supermarket specials in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Buying non-perishables early helps avoid December price spikes and crowded checkouts.

It’s also worth checking your credit card interest rates and limits. If you use a card for convenience, set up automatic payments to clear the balance in full each month. Alternatively, use debit instead – when the money’s gone, it’s gone.

Finally, remember that Christmas is about connection, not consumption. The best celebrations are built on shared time, laughter and gratitude, not financial strain. By giving your budget an early once-over, you’ll enter the holiday season feeling calm, confident and in control, with plenty of festive cheer and no post-holiday regret. 

Tip: Track your spending with apps like WeMoney, Goodbudget or Frollo to stay on budget through the holidays. Alternatively, many mobile banking apps have their own built-in budgeting tools and features, including things like spending categorisation, upcoming bill predictions and reminders.