In a sponsored Fox article from 1 December 2021, produced with Credible, the National Retail Federation survey was cited as showing planned holiday spending of 998 dollars per person, and Ally Bank’s Lindsey Bell said the best way to curb impulse buying and last-minute spending is to create a gift-giving list ahead of time. The figure is old and sponsored, so I use it as an example, not a current average.
This holiday shopping budget planner builds on that advice and NBC Select’s 2025 tips: rank your list, add a buffer, sign up for alerts and stack savings. The planner tables and the sample split are our own designs, not sourced data. Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, 27 November, so you have a few weeks to plan.
Step 1: Set a Total
Start with what you can afford, not with what you want to buy. Our own approach is to take the amount left after bills and savings. The 50/30/20 budget rule can help you find that number, and if your income varies, our guide to budgeting with irregular income shows how to plan.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How much is left after essentials? | Gifts come from spare money |
| Can you pay cash or in full? | Avoid debt after the season |
| Is there a savings target? | Protect it first |
Step 2: Build the Gift List
The Fox and Credible article suggests a list with a dollar amount per person and a small buffer. Add non-gift costs too, such as cards, wrapping, travel, food and hosting, which people often forget. Here is a template (our design).
| Category | Planned amount | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Partner or family | ||
| Friends | ||
| Colleagues or teachers | ||
| Hosting and food | ||
| Travel | ||
| Buffer |
Step 3: Track Spending
The same article recommends tracking spending with a free budgeting app or with cash. Our suggestion: update your tracker the same day you buy, so surprises appear early. Talking openly about gift budgets can also prevent conflict, as our guide on money arguments in relationships explains.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting app | Automatic tracking | Needs setup |
| Cash envelopes | Hard limit | Not for online purchases |
| Spreadsheet | Flexible | Manual entry |
Step 4: Use Deals Without Overspending
NBC Select advises a ranked list with a buffer, alerts and stacking savings with rewards cards, cashback extensions, promo codes and free shipping. A discount helps only on something already on your list. Which? found that 83 percent of 175 tracked products were cheaper or equal at least once in the year, so you do not always need to rush.
The article also mentions using credit card rewards to offset costs. Our caution: rewards are worthwhile only if you pay the balance in full. If you already carry a balance, read our guide on how to pay off credit card debt fast.
After the Holidays
Review your totals in January and note what you overspent on. Our habit suggestion: keep the list and use it as the starting point next year. For long-term habits, see our guide to personal finance habits that build wealth.
