7 smart (and simple) ways to save money on holiday shopping

Updated on Nov. 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. CST

The holidays are magical. But they can also be expensive.

And this holiday season, shoppers plan to spend a little less—focusing on value while preserving holiday traditions, according to the 2025 Deloitte Holiday Survey.

Between gifts, travel, food and festive get-togethers, it’s easy for costs to snowball. The good news? With a little planning, you can make the season meaningful and stay on budget.

Whether you’re trying to save money on holiday shopping, find better deals or avoid that January credit card regret, here are seven smart ways to stretch your holiday dollars even more this year.

|1| Set a realistic holiday budget (and stick to it)

A clear budget is the foundation of stress-free holiday spending. Before you start shopping, take a look at what you spent last year and decide what feels realistic this time around.

It’s not about cutting the fun—it’s about spending with purpose.

Here’s how to get started:

• List out every holiday expense: Gifts, travel, food, decorations, shipping and donations.
• Set a total spending limit that fits comfortably into your overall budget.
• Assign a spending cap for each category so you don’t go overboard in one area.

|2| Try a gift exchange to spend less (and make it fun)

Still buying gifts for a long list of friends or relatives? Consider switching things up with a name-draw or group exchange.

Everyone buys one thoughtful gift instead of several smaller ones—helping you spend less overall but give a more thoughtful gift to the person you pick.

Bonus: You can set a spending limit so no one feels pressured to overspend.

You can even get creative: Add a theme or do a “white elephant” exchange. For families, pooling money for one shared gift (like a big-ticket item or group experience) can also make the holidays more meaningful without stretching everyone’s wallets.

|3| Shop early to find the best deals

The holidays come at the same time every year, but the best deals don’t always stick around. The earlier you start, the more time you have to watch for sales, compare prices and wait for the “deal of the day.” Shopping early also gives you time to plan purchases instead of panic-buying at the last minute.

Here are a few ways to find the best holiday deals without spending hours online:

• Sign up for your favorite stores’ email lists or apps to get early access to sales and coupon codes.
• Use trusted browser extensions or price-tracking apps to get alerts when prices drop.
• Take advantage of cash-back or coupon apps for extra savings.
• Check whether your favorite stores will price match. Many will honor a lower competitor price if you ask!

|4| Use your rewards to stretch your holiday budget

If you use a rewards credit card, you might already have points or cash back available to put toward holiday shopping (and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses). Or, you can at least earn rewards for purchases on your card to redeem later.

With the Dupaco Rewards Visa, for example, you earn 1 point for every $1 spent—and can redeem for merchandise, travel, gift cards or even cash back.

Just remember: The smartest way to use a credit card is to pay off the balance in full each month. That way, you earn the perks without paying interest.

Learn how to choose the best rewards card for you >

If you’re not sure whether using credit or debit is better for you during the holidays:

• Credit cards can be great for rewards and fraud protection if you pay off your balance each month.
• Debit cards can help you stay on track by limiting spending to what’s available in your checking account.

Knowing your habits can help you stay on budget and avoid a post-holiday balance hangover.

|5| Don’t miss out on exclusive deals and coupons

Those marketing emails you usually skip? Opening them could help save you money this season.

Retailers often send email subscribers early access to sales, extra promo codes and “friends and family” discounts. If you were planning to shop there anyway, it could be worth the few extra clicks to sign up. You can even create a separate email folder just for shopping offers so they don’t clutter your inbox.

Here are a couple other quick ways to find more deals:

• Search coupon sites or product and brand websites directly for additional discounts or coupons before you check out.
• Combine store sales, promo codes and cash-back apps for “stacked savings.”

Even small discounts can add up to big wins when you’re shopping for several people.

|6| Give meaningful gifts that don’t cost much

You don’t have to spend a lot to make the holidays special. Some of the most memorable gifts are the ones that show thought and care, not price.

If money feels tight this season, try one of these low-cost (but high-heart) ideas:

• Pair a small, affordable gift with a heartfelt handwritten card. Consider writing about a favorite memory you have with the recipient.
• Give your time: Offer to babysit, shovel snow or help with a home project.
• Share a skill: Teach a recipe, how to play a song or even how to tackle a home project the recipient dreads.
• Bake or make a favorite family treat, create a meaningful playlist, frame a favorite photo memory or offer an experience like hosting a cozy movie night.

When you focus on meaning over money, you’ll feel richer in what really matters most!

See some of our favorite budget-friendly gift ideas from the heart >

|7| Start saving now for next year’s holiday budget

If you find yourself scrambling each holiday season, now’s the perfect time to plan ahead for next year.

With a Holiday Club account, you can make automatic deposits, weekly or biweekly, and have the full balance automatically transferred into your checking or savings account each fall. That way, when the holidays roll around again, you’ll already have your gift fund waiting.

Setting aside a small amount throughout the year—say $10 or $15 a week—adds up fast.

Open your Holiday Club account >

Make your money and holidays go further

Remember, saving money doesn’t mean cutting joy. It’s about spending with purpose and feeling good about your choices long after the wrapping paper is gone.

With a little planning (and the right tools), you can enjoy a festive, stress-free holiday season that feels every bit as special—without the overspending.