Your Christmas Financial Blueprint

9 step financial checklist so you can focus on what really matters this Christmas and holidays

Another year has nearly flown by, and Christmas is getting close. For many Kiwis that signals unbridled retail spending, followed by February and March spent worrying about how to repay the holiday debts.

Summer holidays are meant to be a time for getting together, enjoying the company of family and friends, recharging, and having a good time. Unfortunately, it can also be called ‘silly season’ for good reason – one of the contributors to the silliness being spending too much and the resulting financial stress.

To head this off and ensure you have a great Christmas and summer, try thinking about it this way: you now have a few weeks to get your act together to get through Christmas and the New Year break without a debt headache.

Here’s a collection of nine steps to follow before the arrival of summer holidays.

1. Plan

Leaving your Christmas shopping and other holiday preparations to Christmas Eve is a sure-fire recipe for Christmas angst. Instead, get yourself organised well in advance. This might include:

• Make holiday plans and book holiday travel as early as possible. If you haven’t got to this yet, stop reading to plan and book it right now!
• Make a prioritised list of whatever you need to get done, splitting this between what you “want” to do and what you “need” to do. (Checking accomplished items off any list is satisfying in itself).
• If you buy Christmas gifts online it can help you stick to your budget, avoid crowded malls at peak times, and more easily compare deals and products.
• If you are ‘hitting the malls’, then plan your trip in advance. For most of us, navigating a shopping mall on a busy pre-Christmas weekend might not be the most pleasant experience!
• Request complimentary gift wrapping.
• Consider DIY gifts, or personal gifts such as framed pictures of loved ones. A homemade gift can often be more sentimental to the recipient and may save you some money too.
• If you’re travelling, set up appropriate travel insurance. Often this is complimentary when travel is purchased via credit card.

2. Settle on a Buying Policy

Planning for Christmas includes setting policies for gift-giving.

It's practical to get your friends and family to agree to spend-limits on gifts now – it's not practical to do it a week or two before Christmas Day.

Isn’t That Cheap?

No, spend-limits save everyone money and uncertainty, not just you! Especially against the backdrop of recent increases in New Zealand’s cost of living, your friends and family will probably respond with delight!

3. Cash Flow Planning

We get it, the word budget doesn’t exactly scream “holiday excitement” – think of it as cash flow planning instead.

Cash flow planning is something that has gone out the window for many families because of easy money in the form of credit cards, personal loans, and BNPL. But planning for what happens to income every week or fortnight is a powerful way to take control of your finances, especially when it's for a finite project such as a ten-week plan.

No-one wants to start next year with unneeded debt. So, work out a rough budget of expected Christmas costs as early as possible. The budget isn’t just for presents – remember to include the cost of throwing a Christmas Day party, emergency presents, AirBnB or hotel or campsite fees, fuel, food, and taxis or Ubers.

If you’ve made a good estimate of your holiday costs and your cash-flow over the holiday period, you can plan for buying gifts and party supplies on a weekly basis from cash income, now. This is a popular way to do it, judging by how many Christmas-budgeting tools are on the internet: most of them are ready-formatted Excel spread sheets, so anyone can run them on a computer, tablet, or phone.

4. Buy Gifts Now

Do your present-buying early and save cash. For instance, right now there are plenty of sales on in the wake of Black Friday – so it might be reasonable to conclude many prices will have crept higher by Christmas! By starting early, you can also use internet-based retailers and get the lower prices by waiting for non-urgent delivery. When you start early with gift-buying you have the time to find what you want and stick to the plan, not be forced into last-minute purchases that bust your budget.

Party Planning

Hosting Christmas Day celebrations can be one of the most rewarding parts of the holiday season — it’s your chance to create a warm and welcoming space for family and friends to come together. But it’s no secret that hosting can also be expensive and overwhelming if you try to do it all yourself.

That’s where a bit of delegation can work wonders. If you’re the host, get in early and coordinate a plan to share the load. One simple way to do this is by assigning certain dishes, drinks, or responsibilities to your guests. Think of it as a festive potluck with a twist: you’re still the organiser, but everyone gets to pitch in, making it a true team effort.

For example, you might handle the main course and ask others to contribute side dishes, desserts, or drinks. Someone who’s great with decorating can bring table settings or festive flowers. Guests with young kids could provide activities or games to keep the little ones entertained. It not only lightens your financial and logistical burden but also allows everyone to feel involved in creating the day’s magic.

Christmas is about community and connection, not perfection. When everyone contributes, the event becomes a shared experience, filled with a variety of tastes, traditions, and personal touches. It’s no longer just “your” Christmas — it’s everyone’s Christmas.

So, send out those messages early! A quick email, group chat, or phone call can set the wheels in motion. Be clear but flexible about what’s needed, and watch as your holiday stress melts away. When the big day arrives, you’ll be free to enjoy the moments that truly matter — good food, great company, and the joy of being together.

5. Reduce Social Media Use

Social media has an uncanny way of turning the holiday season into a competitive sport. Endless scrolls of picture-perfect parties, lavishly wrapped presents, and holiday locations can make even the most confident among us feel like we’re falling short. But here’s the thing: those moments are usually a carefully curated highlight reel, not the full picture. Trying to match or outdo someone else’s holiday glow can leave you stressed, overspending, or feeling like your efforts are never enough.

The truth is, playing the comparison game is a losing battle. For every sparkling tree or exotic getaway, you see online, there’s often a pile of untidy laundry, credit card bills, or a candid argument that didn’t make the cut. While there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the good moments in life, it’s important to remember that social media never tells the whole story.

As the holiday season approaches, give yourself permission to take a step back. Instead of focusing on how your celebrations stack up, focus on what truly matters to you. Whether that’s breezy evenings with family, quiet moments of reflection, or simply enjoying the traditions you love, embrace the things that bring joy without the pressure to perform for an audience.

As the holiday season draws near: take a breath, step back, and relax. Be present in the moment and enjoy the season on your own terms. Social media can wait.

6. Be Picky, Say No

Many of us do what we do during the holiday season just because we always have, turning the entire month of December into a mad whirl of non-stop holiday preparations, functions, and activities. Get control of your life by eliminating some of these holiday activities and the costs that go with them. For example, if you’re planning a get-together, consider doing it with a few of your closest friends or relatives. You can throw big blowout parties at another time of the year when you and your guests will have fewer commitments competing for your precious time. Each thing you eliminate can help you prioritise what you would rather be doing, including some deserved downtime.

7. Choose Travel-Proof Gifts

For those jetting off for the holidays, gift-giving can present a unique challenge. Dragging presents through airports or cramming them into an already-crammed car can be a pain.

Here are some gift ideas that are both thoughtful and travel-friendly:

• Order Direct to Their Door: Many retailers offer gift wrapping and delivery services, allowing you to send presents directly to your loved ones. This approach not only saves space in your luggage but ensures your gifts arrive safely and looking their best.
• Gift Cards with a Personal Touch: A gift card might seem impersonal at first glance, but it’s all about how you present it. Pair it with a handwritten note or a small accessory, like a festive ornament or a favourite treat, to make it feel more thoughtful. Bonus: the recipient gets the joy of choosing something they truly want.
• Compact and Meaningful Items: Think small but significant. Jewellery, travel-sized skincare sets, or subscription services (like streaming platforms, audiobooks, or monthly snack boxes) make for excellent gifts that won’t take up much room.
• Digital Gifts: From eBooks to online memberships, digital gifts can be a game-changer for travellers. They’re lightweight, clutter-free, and can often be enjoyed instantly, adding an extra element of convenience for the recipient.

8. Declutter for a Fresh Start

The holiday season is a great time to declutter your home and prepare for a fresh start in the New Year. By getting rid of unnecessary items, you can create a more peaceful and organised living space.

Here are some tips to help you declutter effectively:

1. Involve the Family: Make it a family affair! Get your kids involved in the process by explaining the importance of donating to those in need.
2. One-In, One-Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of an old one. This will help prevent clutter from accumulating.
3. Sort and Categorise: Divide your belongings into three categories: keep, donate, and sell.
4. Set Realistic Goals: Break down the decluttering process into smaller, manageable tasks.
5. Don't Get Sentimental: While it may be difficult to part with certain items, remember that holding onto things from the past can hinder your progress.

By decluttering your home, you'll create more space, reduce stress, and be better prepared to enjoy the holiday season.

9. Have Fun!

After all, what are holidays for?

The Bottom Line: Christmas Financial Blueprint

The Christmas holiday period might be a time of financial pressure for many families, but it doesn't have to be. To relieve some of the burden, start early, know your costs, understand your cash-flow, and plan. Then, stick to it.

Once you’ve got that part underway, you can focus on what really matters this holiday season. Happy holidays!