Free Christmas budget planner
Christmas budget planner: what to save each pay
Add up presents, food, travel and events, take away what you've already set aside, and divide by the paydays left before about 18 December. For example, a $900 Christmas with 4 fortnightly paydays to go is $225 each payday. Start in winter and it's $75. Use the planner below with your own numbers, so January isn't spent paying off December.
Worked example
A $900 family Christmas
Presents for 8 people at $50 each, lunch at home, the drive to see family, and a couple of events. Nothing set aside yet, paid fortnightly.
Starting with 4 paydays to go: $900 ÷ 4 = $225 each payday.
Starting with 12 paydays to go: $900 ÷ 12 = $75 each payday.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Presents (8 × $50) | $400 |
| Christmas lunch | $250 |
| Travel to family | $150 |
| Events and extras | $100 |
| Total | $900 |
What to include in a Christmas budget
Presents are the obvious part. Food, travel and the events around Christmas are what usually tip it over.
About 1.3 million Australians went into debt over the 2025 holidays, owing $1,581 on average. Finder, Jan 2026
Opens in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
- PresentsPeople × an amount each. Kids, partner, family, the Kris Kringle, teachers.
- Christmas lunch or dinnerFood and drinks, or your share if someone else is hosting.
- TravelFuel, flights or the train to see family.
- Decorations and the treeOnly if you're buying new this year.
- EventsWork and friends' parties, a new outfit, the school concert.
- Wrapping, cards and postageSmall, but it adds up.
Christmas budget questions
How much does Christmas cost in Australia?
It depends on your family. The Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan forecast an average of $757 per shopper on gifts for Christmas 2025, before food, travel and events. The best number is your own: list the people and the costs, then add them up.
How much should I save each pay for Christmas?
Add up the costs, take away what you've already set aside, and divide by the paydays left before about 18 December. That's a week before Christmas, so nothing lands on the card at the last minute.
When should I start saving for Christmas?
Earlier means smaller amounts. $900 over 12 fortnightly paydays is $75 each payday. Over 4 paydays it's $225.
How do I budget for presents per child?
Pick an amount per child and keep it the same across the family if that matters to you. In the planner, the presents line is people × amount each, so you can see the total change as you adjust.
Is there a Christmas budget template?
Yes. Download the free spreadsheet below. It works in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
Can we share Christmas costs as a family?
Yes. In the app, share the plan with your siblings or whoever's hosting, and everyone sees the same costs. Splitting who's covering what is coming soon.
Gift forecast: ARA and Roy Morgan, Christmas 2025.
Have Christmas ready a week early.
Back to Black works out what to put aside, reminds you each payday, and lets the family see the same plan. No bank login.