How much does the average Australian spend on Christmas?

Spending varies widely, but many Australian households budget several hundred to a few thousand dollars across gifts, food and drink, travel and decorations. Gifts are usually the biggest line — buying for 10 people at $60 each is already $600 before you have bought a single ham. Use this calculator with your own numbers rather than a national average, because what matters is the total you are committing to and whether you can fund it without going into debt.

How do I avoid Christmas debt?

The simplest way to avoid Christmas debt is to save a set amount every week instead of putting the season on a credit card or buy-now-pay-later plan. Work out your total festive budget, divide it by the number of weeks until Christmas, and set up an automatic transfer of that amount into a separate savings account. At typical credit card rates of around 20% p.a., carrying a few hundred dollars into the new year can add a meaningful chunk of interest — saving ahead avoids that cost entirely.

When should I start saving for Christmas?

Starting in spring — around September or October — gives you roughly 10 to 14 weeks to spread the cost, which keeps the weekly amount small and manageable. The earlier you start, the less you need to put aside each week. If you begin a full year out, even a few dollars a week can cover the whole season comfortably.

Christmas Budget Calculator

Plan your festive spending across gifts, food, travel and extras, then see how much to save each week so you start the new year without Christmas debt.

Last verified: 5 May 2026

How much should I save each week for Christmas?

Add up everything you'll spend — gifts, food and drink, travel, decorations and events — then divide by the number of weeks until Christmas. That weekly figure, set aside automatically from spring, covers the whole season without a credit card. Australians often put Christmas on credit and carry the debt into the new year, where interest at around 20% p.a. quietly adds to the cost. Source: ASIC MoneySmart. General information only.

Worked example. Buying for 10 people at $60 each is $600 in gifts. Add $400 for food and drink and $300 for travel and extras for a total of $1,300. With 12 weeks to save, that's about $108 a week — far easier to manage than a $1,300 credit card bill in January.

General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.

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Christmas Budget Calculator

How much should I save each week for Christmas?

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