How to set a holiday gift budget and stick to it.

Holiday overspending rarely comes from one big purchase. It comes from small ones nobody added up: an extra gift, rush shipping, wrapping paper, another round of cards. The fix is to write the plan down before you start buying and to log what you actually spend.

Here’s the five-step method from our Holiday Gift Budget Planner.

1. Set one total, then split it by category

Decide what the whole season can cost and write that number down first. Then split it across categories, because gifts are only part of it: wrapping and cards, shipping, food and hosting, decor, travel and donations add up too. Give each a planned amount, and fill in the actual amount as you go.

2. List every person, with a max

Write down everyone you plan to buy for, with gift ideas and a maximum for each person. A max per person is what keeps the total honest. When you buy, mark it bought, note what you spent and tick it off once it’s wrapped.

3. Log spending the day you buy

Keep a running log with the date, the store, who it was for, the amount and a running total. Writing it down the same day is the habit that matters. The running total tells you where you stand long before the card statement arrives in January.

4. Put the deadlines in one place

Note party dates, events and the shipping cut-offs for anything you’re mailing. Carriers publish new cut-offs each year, so check theirs and write them down early. Rush shipping is an easy way to go over budget.

5. Track cards and thank-yous

A simple list of names, addresses, card sent and thanked stops anyone from being missed, and keeps card spending visible too.