15 guides
Holiday and gift budget guides
Plain-English guides to saving ahead and celebrating well for less. Store policies and terms change, so check with the store or provider. We don't post deals or earn affiliate fees.
Plan and save
Holiday funds, budgets, club accounts and birthdays.
- Start a holiday fund in January
Twelve small deposits beat one big December bill.
- Set a holiday budget your family agrees on
Decide the total first, then split it.
- Holiday club accounts: are they worth it?
An old idea that still works, if the terms are fair.
- Budget for birthdays and celebrations all year
They're not surprises, so they don't need to feel like them.
Gifts
Gift lists, thoughtful gifts, family limits and kids.
- A gift list that keeps you on budget
Names, limits and ideas, written down before you shop.
- Thoughtful gifts that cost little
Time, skills and attention often mean more than price.
- Talking to family about cutting back on gifts
Secret Santa, spending limits and "experiences only".
- Kids' gifts without overspending
Fewer, better gifts, and a simple rule.
Host and travel
Hosting, holiday travel and decorations.
- Host a holiday meal on a budget
Plan the menu, share the dishes, shop once.
- Holiday travel for less
Book early, travel off-peak, count every cost.
- Decorations for less
Buy after the season, make some, reuse the rest.
Avoid the hangover
Buy now pay later, gift cards, scams and January.
- Buy now, pay later: what to know
Easy to start, easy to stack up.
- Returns, receipts and gift card rules
Gift receipts, return windows and your gift card rights.
- Holiday shopping scams
Fake stores, delivery texts and too-good deals.
- The January reset
Review the season and start next year's fund.