Saving & Spending Budgeting & Expenses

How to Avoid Overspending This Christmas (Even If You Already Started)

Try these practical steps to help you reign in holiday spending — and keep it under control.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 1, 2026

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Despite economic uncertainty leading into 2026, Americans spent big on Black Friday 2025, with Adobe Analytics reporting that shoppers in the U.S. spent $11.8 billion in online sales alone. The data indicates that many are shelling out big bucks this year — and could be putting themselves in a position where they are nearing or already are over budget.

If this sounds like you, these 12 simple, yet practical steps can help you make smart money moves and avoid overspending (or stop overspending) this holiday season.

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Create a mid-season budget

Ideally, the budget would come before the spending starts, but it's fairly common to overestimate your ability to make smart financial choices around the holidays.

If you have already started spending, assigning a specific dollar amount to everything you have left to buy — and sticking to it — can help rein in overall costs. This may mean giving a few homemade gifts or opting for the store brand for some ingredients — and that's OK.

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Set a date to pay off debt

Knowing exactly when you need to pay off any debt accrued during the holiday season can be a good motivator to avoid overspending or putting purchases on credit cards to pay off later.

Designating February 1 as the date by which holiday debt needs to be gone, for example, might make you rethink that December 24 shopping spree.

Bargain buy in sets or bulk

Around the holidays, stores sell things like soap, candles, makeup, and other self-care items in sets, small and large, at discounted prices.

To save cash, consider purchasing specially made sets or bulk boxes and splitting up the items to give as gifts. It could very well check several people off your gift list.

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Try homemade gifts

Though this approach may be easier for those with a creative skill set, a gift doesn't have to cost big bucks to be both thoughtful and useful. Some people give out homemade cookies to everyone on their gift list, while others make their own Christmas ornaments.

A quick online search of homemade Christmas gifts shows endless options, even for those of us without standard creative flair.

Price check and price match

If you find a gift you really want to purchase, but it's a bit over budget, some quick searching on your phone can let you know if a better price is available elsewhere. Many stores also have price-match policies and may reduce their price for you in-store. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Avoid last-minute buying

The pressure of waiting until the last minute to buy gifts and other holiday necessities can make it much harder to stick to a budget. Even though the holidays are fast approaching, taking time to evaluate sales can help you avoid unnecessary splurges.

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Consider last year's models

When holiday shopping, you can save serious cash by opting for last year's models instead of the fancy, new option — particularly for big-ticket items like electronics.

You may even be able to find solid deals on older models as manufacturers offer steeper discounts when a new version is released.

Look for deals every day

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not the only dates when you can score great deals. In fact, the discounts offered on these famed sale dates may not be much different than others offered around the holiday season.

Keeping your eyes peeled for deals in the weeks leading up to the holidays is wise as well.

Avoid a spending spree

Spending too much time in the mall around the holidays may entice you to spend more than you originally planned. The phenomenon can happen online as well as shoppers are bombarded with sale ads and emails.

This is why a budget you are committed to is so important before you hit the mall (and check your email).

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Don't forget shipping

You will likely find plenty of seemingly great deals online during the holiday season, offering steep discounts on everything from the hottest toys to your weekly grocery haul.

However, it's important to factor in additional charges like shipping or service fees to break down if deals are quite as good as they seem before hitting "buy."

Use your rewards & points

If you've been making your holiday purchases with a credit card, you may be able to use points and/or rewards accrued to cover any additional holiday necessities or gifts.

Credit card rewards can be redeemed for a range of discounts and deals, including gift cards you can dole out to anyone left on your holiday gift list.

Shop the resale market

Vintage is in these days — and it can be both fun and cost-efficient to shop for everything from vintage clothing to holiday decor at your local secondhand shop.

You may be surprised at how many people you can check off your gift list after spending an hour or two in the aisles at your local thrift store. For the readers on your gift list, secondhand book shops can be a treasure trove as well.

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Bottom line

Careful budgeting is often the best way to put extra cash in your pocket and keep it there, but during the holiday season, that's much easier said than done — and many people worry they are overspending weeks before Christmas morning.

Even if you had a Black Friday financial slip-up, there are some simple steps you can take to recover, get your budget back in order, and make it easier to stick to.

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