How to Create a Holiday Budget That Works {+ free worksheet!} - What Mommy Does (2024)

This post was sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own.

This post was sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own.

Every year I feel like the holidays just sneak up on me.

I’m going about my day all summer long, enjoying the nice weather and then BAM! I go to a store and all of a sudden there are holiday decorations everywhere!

Halloween…Thanksgiving…Christmas…you name it!

This year I’m taking the early presence of holiday decorations in the stores as my cue to plan ahead for the holidays.

I’m a habitual procrastinator and that doesn’t bode well when I need to buy a lot of gifts and end up doing so last minute. I love buying gifts, but I also do not want to be stressed out about blowing my budget, which is almost impossible to do when you wait until the last minute!

Last year, I vowed to not let myself overspend around the holidays. This is the perfect time to start planning ahead so it doesn’t happen again.

The Most Useful Holiday Budgeting Tool

To avoid overspending, I’m putting together an actual budget in advance. I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it’s actually super easy.

I’m using this amazing budget worksheet from SunTrust so I don’t have to start from scratch.

This budgeting tool includes everything from gas for travel, holiday décor, and charitable donations. They really did think of everything for this amazing holiday budget worksheet. The best part? It’s FREE!

If you want to create a budget for the holidays with me, you can download this worksheet here:

Click to Get Holiday Budget Worksheet

I went ahead and filled one out as an example. It was so simple to do. This is what it looks like:

As you can tell, this sheet is super comprehensive! I would have never thought to set aside a budget for checked bags or babysitting during the holidays; however, those are actual expenses we do incur, so it makes sense to plan for those up front.

The spreadsheet is created in Excel, so as I spend, I can simply input numbers in the amount spent column, and the spreadsheet will show me how much the difference is. This way I’ll always know exactly how much I have left to spend.

5 Simple Tips for Guilt-Free Holiday Spending

The holidays are all about joy and peace, but when you are feeling that financial stress, it can feel almost the opposite. I don’t want you to feel that way—I want you to enjoy the season!

Here are five tips for guilt-free holiday spending:

1. Get out your calendar and plan on potential events. Know you have a few holiday parties coming up? Make sure you set aside some extra money for things like a new dress or two, dry cleaning, babysitting and hostess gifts.
2. Use the holiday budget worksheet to think ahead. Go through the gift budget worksheet and fill it out in detail so you know how much you’ll need to save.
3. Remember that not all gifts have to cost money. Especially if your budget is limited and your gift recipient list is long…maybe you could consider things that don’t cost money. Consider giving an act of service like cleaning out the garage for your husband or a stack of your favorite used books to a good friend.
4. Shop online. When you shop online, you can quickly compare prices to find the best deals. Search the web for coupon codes before every purchase to stack up the savings. BONUS: You get to avoid the crowds!
5. Start saving now. It’s a lot less daunting to set aside a couple hundred dollars a month than it is to come up with $500 at the last minute! Save up way ahead of time to down on this type of holiday stress.

Start with the Right Holiday Planning Mindset + Preparation

During the holiday season, we can get swept up in the generosity of the season and overspend. If you plan ahead for the gifts you need to buy, the entire holiday season will be that much more enjoyable.

Don’t forget that if your gift recipient list gets out of control, you can also give things that don’t cost money, like the gift of time. Sometimes that’s the best thing you can give someone.

This improves your relationship AND your wallet!

I’m going to plan out the physical gifts I’m giving but also keep in mind that not everyone wants or needs a gift that costs money.

Here’s to a low-key, meaningful, and financially stress-free holiday season!

Thank you to SunTrust for providing an amazing resource like this holiday budget worksheet. Download it and get started on your financial holiday planning now!

For More Ideas on Budgeting and Christmas Check Out These Posts

• Christmas Gifts For New Parents
• 8 Best Toys For Christmas
• 1K by Christmas! (Holiday Savings Plan)