Each year, the holiday season brings joy, but it also often comes with additional expenses. Between last-minute gift shopping, decorating and travel, it’s easy to overspend. Read on for smarter, more efficient ways to prepare for the holidays without putting your savings at risk.

Set a budget

Begin by creating a holiday budget. Set aside how much money you plan to spend this season, including expenses like gift shopping, décor and travel.

Gifts

When shopping for multiple people, it can be hard to keep track of your spending. By allocating a specific amount of money to spend on each person, you hold yourself, and your budget, accountable. It’s also helpful to start gift shopping early in the year or during big sales, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday. You may also want to consider shopping from home, as in-store browsing can lead to impulse purchases. From the convenience of your couch, you can compare products across websites, explore sale sections and save items to your cart to revisit later.

Décor

Finding the perfect in-budget gifts for your loved ones is only part of the equation. With inflation driving up prices, discovering affordable ways to wrap those gifts has become more of a challenge. Reusing newspapers or paper grocery bags is a cost-saving (and eco-friendlier) alternative. Also consider visiting your local dollar store for discounted gift bags that you can reuse, as well as low-cost décor for your home.

Travel

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile for the holidays, it’s best to book tickets or fill your gas tank in advance. According to Google Flights data, the lowest prices for Christmas flights, for example, “have been 51 days before departure (32–73 days is the low price range),” meaning you should book your flight between mid-October and mid-November for the best deals.* As a general rule, planning holiday trips as early as possible is one of the best ways to avoid inflated travel costs while protecting your financial well-being.

Find more tips to boost your financial literacy in our Learning Center.

*https://blog.google/products/search/holiday-travel-trends-2025/