The Christmas season is usually joyfulsentimental and full of festive energy, but it also involves high expenses. A Gallup poll conducted in October found that consumers They planned to spend around $1,007 dollars during the celebrations. Therefore, it is key to know the alternatives to finance purchases without compromising the financial stability at the start of 2026.
As the Christmas, pressure increases to achieve a “perfect holiday season”. This was explained by Louise Halliwell, director of group savings at the financial firm OSB Group, warning that consumers often feel obliged to spend more than planned to fulfill family and social expectations during the end of the year celebrations.
According to Halliwell, it is possible to enjoy a warm Christmas and memorable without generating excessive debt nor face a “financial hangover” in January. To do this, he recommended evaluating the tools available finances and make smart decisionss before making commitments that could affect next year’s budget.
Among the most common options for finance major purchases There are built-up savings, low-interest credit cards and buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans. Choosing the appropriate alternative will depend on your ability to pay.financial organization and the urgency of purchases.
The role of savings and credit in seasonal expenses
For those who have managed to build an emergency fundturning to savings can be the simplest way to cover Christmas expenses. Halliwell highlighted that combining this option with a well-structured budget allows you to maintain control and prevent the enthusiasm of the season from leading to impulsive or unnecessary expenses.
The executive advised to review the available balance in checking and savings accounts before defining a total budget. Besides, recommended prioritizing card payments debit instead of credit, because This practice helps keep expenses within reasonable limits and reduces the risk of excessive debt at times of high commercial activity.
As an additional strategy, suggested setting aside small amounts each month at the start of 2026 to create a fund destined specifically for next year’s Christmas shopping. This planning not only provides additional support during the months of highest consumption, but also allows you to quickly take advantage of seasonal discounts such as those of the Black Friday y el Cyber Monday.
Another common alternative is request credit cards with 0 interest promotions percent, valid between six and fifteen months depending on the institution. These cards allow you to divide expenses exceeding $1,000 andn monthly payments without charges, which makes planning easier without increasing the final amount due to accrued interest.
Finally, BNPL plans offer the option of splitting a purchase into four payments spread over six to eight weeks. Although The fees are usually higher than on cards with promotional interest, allow you to settle the balance quickly and, in many cases, do not require credit checkmaking them an accessible tool for some consumers.