Christmas is less than 100 days away - here's how to save

What can cost $1000 and is fewer than 100 days away? Christmas is a time when we shell out big on celebrations with friends and family. Here's what you can be doing now to keep your festive spending in check.

Research over the years from Moneysmart and Finder has put the average amount individual Aussies spend on Christmas each year between $800 and $1360.

This year will likely be no different, with a Finder survey of 1000 people in August finding 16% were already putting money aside for the silly season.

Experts say these thrifty types are on the right track, as making difficult decisions and getting a plan in place early can help keep expenses in check.

Here are the money moves you should be making in the remaining months of 2026 to make sure Christmas doesn't blow your budget.

1. Stress-test traditions

Hoping to spend less on this Christmas than last year?

Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson says the three months until December 25 makes now the ideal time to have conversations with friends and family about how you could make savings.

"Stress test [your traditions] a little bit to see if there's any room to do things differently," she suggests.

"You can have these conversations now with a little bit less pressure and just float suggestions of how things could look a little bit different [this year], so that you're doing Christmas in an affordable way".

In other words, if you're hoping to cut back on gifts or trips away, now is the time to set expectations and get everyone you're celebrating with on the same page.

2. Start putting money aside now

Come up with a budget, including things like a gift list of everyone you want to buy for, as well as any other expenses you're anticipating such as food, drink and travel.

Then start putting money aside in small amounts to build up your yuletide war chest.

Stashing funds in a savings account is one way to do this, but Megginson warns this can make it too easy to dip into your budget to cover other costs.

For those wanting to be delivered from such temptation, she recommends converting your Christmas budget into assets slightly less liquid.

"[When you go shopping] just grab a gift card and set it aside in a drawer or cupboard somewhere and keep adding more cards every week or two," she explains.

"It's harder for you to dip in and start using your own gift cards... [so] by the time Christmas rolls around, you're going to have this little collection".

You can then redeem these cards on Christmas groceries or add them to other small items to build a gift pack for a loved one.

3. Think about fuel

Fuel prices have rarely been out of the news this year.

With petrol well over $2 a litre in many areas and diesel more expensive again, this is an extra cost primed to hit just as your Christmas holiday gets underway.

So it pays to get familiar now with how you can spend less at the bowser, before a servo bill puts a sour note on the season.

Caring for your car and being mindful of how you drive are big ones, but so is shopping around.

Even as prices increase, there can be differences as large as 20 cents per litre between competing petrol stations in the same area.

Luckily, there are dozens of free apps and websites you can use to find the cheapest prices near where you are now and where you'll be travelling over Christmas.

4. Take advantage of the Black Friday sales

This relatively new retail tradition falling in late November is a well-timed opportunity to buy Christmas presents at a discount.

"If you're not using Black Friday to shop for Christmas, then you are missing out on a huge opportunity," says Sarah Megginson from Finder.

"Lots of brands and retailers save their best deals for Black Friday."

Black Friday is the last Friday in November - in 2026, that will be the 27th, but many brands start their sales earlier.

Keep an eye on your favourite products and retailers from mid-October to catch the discounts as they drop.

5. Share the load

Planning on hosting family or friends for lunch or dinner this year, but dreading getting stuck with all the work? It's a good idea to reach out and work on a plan to split the load.

Divide up responsibilities for the meal, so that each person or household brings a specified plate or course.

The same concept can work for gift giving - try a Secret Santa arrangement with a set budget.

With this, each guest is allotted one other person they have to buy a gift for and enjoys the savings from not having to buy items for everyone attending your party.

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