15 ways to spend less this Christmas (without being a Grinch)
Christmas can be expensive, but you don't need to spend a fortune to make it special. Here are 15 ways to keep your festive spending under control.
1. Pick your priorities
Decide what matters most to you this Christmas and focus your budget there. Maybe it's spoiling the kids, having everyone over for lunch or getting away for a few days. You might not be able to do everything, so prioritise and adjust your spending on the things that matter less.
2. Cover the big costs first
Travel and accommodation can blow out your Christmas budget. Work out what you'll need to spend on these big costs first and try to book as early as possible. Then factor in gifts, food and other festive spending.
3. Rethink the gift list
We're all in a similar boat, so chat to friends and relatives about doing Secret Santa, setting a spending limit or buying joint gifts. This was you can cut costs without cutting the fun.
Aussies are planning to spend $7 billion less this festive season than they did last year, Finder research shows.
4. Do presence as a present
Gift your time, skills or an experience instead of a store-bought gift. Sometimes the most thoughtful and useful gifts cost very little! You could offer things like:
- planning and hosting a picnic
- make delicious baked goods
- a voucher to redeem for your famous lasagne
- babysitting
- a handyman voucher
5. Set a budget and stick to it
Work out how much you can afford to spend on Christmas, including events, food and presents. It can help to set individual limits for each person, rather than relying on a vague overall budget. Keep track of what you've spent as you go.
6. Shop around before you buy
I bought my teenager Apple airpods. They were $429 everywhere, except JB HiFi, which was selling them for $299. Shopping around takes next to no time and prices can vary significantly between retailers for exactly the same product. So compare prices before heading to the checkout!
7. Power your budget with savings
Speaking of shopping around: the same applies with your household bills. A quick comparison of your internet bill, mobile phones or energy could result in instant savings on household bills, which is money you can put towards your Christmas budget. Check out Finder Rewards for bonus gift cards!
8. Regift!
I'm a proud re-gifter: passing on a new or unused gift to someone who'll enjoy it more is a perfectly good way to save money and avoid waste. But we've all heard the horror stories, so make sure you don't regift in the same circle.
Finder polled Aussies and found that 21% of them regifted presents in 2025 – and these are just the ones who'll admit it!
9. Start with what you already have
Before buying Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, serving platters or festive outfits, check what you've already got tucked away. Reuse as much as you can from previous years (including gifts - revisit point 6!).
10. Shop the Black Friday sales
But be strategic! Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be great opportunities to pick up Christmas presents at a discount, just make sure you compare prices before buying. A bargain isn't a bargain if you weren't planning to buy it in the first place.
I share more Black Fridat tips with Money Magazine in this video.
11. Keep the Christmas menu simple
You don't need 15 different dishes to put on a great Christmas spread. Plan your menu around a few crowd favourites, look for seasonal produce and avoid buying more food than you need. A little meal planning can save you a surprising amount.
12. Buy second-hand
Second-hand marketplaces can be brilliant for finding toys, books, bikes, furniture and other gifts at a fraction of the retail price. You can often find items in excellent condition, particularly when people are clearing out their homes before Christmas.
13. Plan some free festive activities
Look for free community carols, Christmas light displays, local markets, outdoor movies and family events. There are so many great ways to get into the Christmas spirit without shelling out a fortune.
14. Share the cost of Christmas lunch
If you're hosting Christmas for breakfast, lunch or dinner, don't feel like you have to pay for everything. Ask guests to bring a salad, dessert, drinks or a side dish. Most people are happy to contribute and it takes some pressure off you as the host.
15. Give yourself a little spending buffer
Unexpected expenses have a habit of popping up in December. Leave a little room in your budget for last-minute gifts, extra groceries, school holiday activities or unexpected travel costs. Having a buffer can help you avoid reaching for your credit card when things get busy.
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