Se siente muy bien cuando los pasillos ya están decorados y aún está dentro del presupuesto. ​​​​​​​Y es una sensación aún mejor cuando sabe que sus gastos festivos se alinean con lo que realmente le importa.

As you celebrate the season, use these 12 days of holiday savings ideas to help you stay on track with your financial goals, spend with purpose, and save a little money. 

2025 holiday spending is predicted to increase 3.5% from 2024, which posted a record-breaking $994.1 billion in sales.^{Divulgación 2,Divulgación 3} ¿Cómo se prepara para todos los gastos de la temporada festiva? Since gifts and experiences can add up quickly, start by creating a holiday budget based on your unique values, which can help you keep your spending in check throughout the season. 

Su presupuesto debe incluir detalles sobre los obsequios que planea comprar, gastos de viaje, costos de alimentos, decoraciones y cualquier plan que tenga para realizar donaciones caritativas. Once your budget aligns with what matters most to you, it can help you spend in meaningful ways during the holidays

There are many ways to trim the expensive holiday decor and installations from your budget:

Invite a amigos y familiares y disfruten de un fin de semana haciendo manualidades. Search DIY hashtags on social media for craft ideas and inspiration.

For example, a good artificial Christmas tree may be a large upfront expense, but after a few years it can pay off.

For those big-ticket items, consider waiting to buy them in January, when holiday decorations are the most discounted.

Seek out secondhand items online and at local marketplaces, or host a decor swap with friends.

Chances are your halls are decked with a lot of lights, which require energy. Opt for LED light strands, which last longer, can be reused for years, and require less electricity than conventional bulbs.

Está a punto de pagar y le ofrecen un descuento único del 20% si acepta una tarjeta de crédito de la tienda. Todo sea por ahorrar, ¿no? Tal vez no. Estas tarjetas pueden tener altas tasas de interés y cargos costosos; además, pueden hacer que termine gastando demasiado cuando se siente tentado a comprar otro regalo más.

Leer más: 5 errores comunes que afectan su puntuación de crédito y se pueden evitar fácilmente

Opening a new credit card can also affect your credit score. But if your score is in a good place (aim for 720 or higher) and you're interested in getting a new credit card to cash in on rewards, consider a card that offers points or cash back on everyday expenses.

If you’re able to use the card responsibly and pay off the balance every month, you could accumulate rewards throughout the year, then use them as part of next year’s holiday budget. 

¿Hay algo mejor que el aroma de las galletas recién horneadas durante la temporada de fiestas?

With cooking being a part of many holiday traditions and grocery prices rising in the past year (a dozen eggs for how much?!), you may be spending a good portion of your budget on food. Think about substitutions you can make to your menu to save money. Choose (or ask AI to suggest) recipes you can make with items you already have in your pantry.

Factor in smaller gatherings, too. Adjust recipes to reduce food (and money) waste. For example, you could consider opting for a roasted chicken instead of a whole turkey.

Your holiday shopping should start with some research. Busque en línea para comparar el costo de los mismos artículos en diferentes comercios minoristas. Si su primera opción no está disponible, busque regalos alternativos comparables.

Otras formas de encontrar descuentos y ofertas incluyen:

• Buscar ofertas de Black Friday y Cyber Monday
• Special points or cash-back offers from your credit cards or bank
• Browser extensions that compare prices, provide price alerts, and apply coupons
• Digital or paper coupons from your grocery store or other retailers—or from the manufacturers themselves
• Signing up for email from your favorite retailers to possibly score discounts on things you were already planning to buy

Keep in mind you may have to join a loyalty program, download an app, and opt in to privacy terms to use digital coupons and sign up for email promotions. And not all discounts are created equal. Some retailers inflate prices and then mark down products to simulate a sale. Even when something is on sale, check the unit price on your grocery store price tags to avoid falling victim to "shrinkflation."

If one of your values is supporting your local community, searching for gifts from local and small businesses may feel good and help you find some deals, too. 

Algunos de nosotros amamos ser anfitriones durante las festividades. By the time the bar is stocked and the charcuterie board designed, you might think to yourself-"Did I really need to buy eight types of fancy cheese?" Enjoy your holiday party by buddying up with a co-host. Splitting costs and hosting duties can help you save money on holiday entertaining.

Another way to save money on a holiday gathering is to host a potluck. Create the atmosphere for a smaller number of friends and family to gather, and let everyone pitch in. And if you've been invited to a potluck yourself, plan to bring a dish that's within your budget.

"Studies show that time spent with people is more important than money spent," says Brian Ford, head of financial wellness at Truist. Save presents for the kids and give the adults in your life your uninterrupted presence.

Esté disponible para jugar, construir muñecos de nieve, ver películas o ser voluntarios juntos. Estar presente también puede significar una buena videollamada para ponerse al día o disfrutar de un juego virtual con amigos o familiares que no pueden estar presentes en persona.

Al conectarse de esta manera, asegúrese de reservar tiempo precisamente para eso de modo que no haya distracciones que desvíen su atención. Spending time and attention-not money-can make for healthier relationships and a happier season.

Concéntrese en los miembros principales de su familia y amigos cercanos a la hora de elaborar su lista de regalos festivos. Si esa lista aún es demasiado larga para su presupuesto, proponga un intercambio de regalos navideños, al estilo Secret Santa. Saque nombres de un sombrero y dele un regalo significativo a una persona.

Don't forget to set a budget for the gift swap, so the financial expectations are the same for everyone. Plan to exchange gifts over cider or hot cocoa, whether in person or virtually.

Crear recuerdos juntos a menudo puede brindar una alegría más duradera que los artículos comprados en la tienda. Considere regalar una experiencia en lugar de un artículo tangible. Inexpensive ideas include planning a Christmas scavenger hunt for the kids in your family or taking loved ones for a hike or picnic at one of your favorite outdoor spots.

Or, you can gift experiences within a predetermined budget-like gifting tickets for a pottery class, a day at the museum, national park passes, or a Broadway show. Si su presupuesto es mayor, podría considerar experiencias aún más importantes, como alquilar una casa en la playa durante el verano para toda su familia.

Doing something for someone else during the holiday season can help make you feel good. It doesn't have to involve money, either. Small gestures like writing a letter to a veteran, walking dogs at a local animal shelter, or simply giving someone a compliment can go a long way. Es posible que muchas organizaciones estén preparando campañas de recolección de suministros para las fiestas u otros eventos de donación para poder continuar con sus misiones.

If you do want to donate money to others this season, give to a cause that is close to your heart or-even better-close to home. Participar activamente para mejorar su comunidad sin duda transmitirá alegría. And this is a great way to set an example and make memories as a family, kids included.

Give yourself a gift, too, even if it's something small. If you're buying something big for yourself, consider if you'll use, cherish, or remember the present come February or March-or beyond. It's a good practice to treat yourself as long as you're staying within your budget and caring for your financial and mental well-being.

¿Quiere estar aún más preparado para las compras festivas el próximo año? A partir de ahora, ahorre un poco cada semana o cada mes para la próxima temporada festiva. Pay attention to how much you spend this year, too, to give yourself a clearer picture of how much you need to save. Cuanto antes empiece a reservar dinero para ello, mejor se sentirá de cara a la temporada festiva.