The Christmas budget calculator helps you plan holiday spending before the shopping starts. Set your total budget, list the people you are buying for, add food, travel and decorations, and it shows what you have planned, what is left, and how much to put aside from each paycheck between now and Christmas.
How to set a Christmas budget
- Start with what you can afford, not what you spent last year. Look at your savings and how many paychecks are left before December 25.
- List everyone you buy for and give each person a number. It is easier to stick to $40 for a coworker than to a vague total.
- Count the extras. Holiday food, travel, the tree, wrapping paper and shipping often add up to as much as the gifts.
- Divide what is left to save by your paychecks. Saving a set amount each payday avoids a big credit card bill in January.
Ways to cut the total
- Draw names (a Secret Santa) for large families or office groups so each person buys one gift.
- Set a spending limit with friends, or swap experiences and homemade gifts.
- Shop sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday for gifts already on your list, not extra items.
- Order early to avoid paying for express shipping in December.
See how much time you have with days until Christmas, and read our guide to making a Christmas budget. Remember to include year-end tips for people like your sitter or house cleaner; our guide on how much to tip for the holidays suggests amounts.
Frequently asked questions
How is the amount per paycheck worked out?
The calculator counts how many paydays are left before December 25 based on how often you are paid, then divides the amount you still need to save by that number. If Christmas has passed, it plans for next year.
Is my list saved?
It stays only in your own browser so it is still there when you come back on the same device. Nothing is uploaded.