Christmas gift budget per person
Start with the total you can afford, not with the list. Then split it by how close each person is, so the money runs out at the same time as the list.
| Group | People | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Partner | ||
| Children | ||
| Parents & close family | ||
| Wider family & friends | ||
| Teachers, colleagues, Secret Santa |
How the weights work
A weight of 4 means "4 times as much as someone at weight 1". Partners and children usually get the most, and teachers or colleagues the least. Change the weights until the per-person amounts feel right, then write them next to each name.
Ways to make it stretch
- Secret Santa for the wider family or friends: one £20 gift each instead of six £10 ones.
- Set a "children only" rule with adult siblings. It's often a relief for everyone.
- Buy early, but only from the list. Check Black Friday prices with the deal checker.
- Include the extras: wrapping, cards, batteries and postage often add 5–10%.
Then add food, travel and the rest with the Christmas budget calculator, and see how much to save each week.
Free printable: UK Christmas budget checklist 2026 (PDF, no email needed)
Know exactly what Christmas will cost, and what to save each week until 25 December.
A Google Sheets and Excel planner: gift list, food and drink, extras, a dashboard and a week-by-week saving plan to 25 December.
Get it for £5 →All 10 paid templates (worth £54) for £15: £1.50 each.
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Get it for £15 →FAQs
How much should I spend per person at Christmas?
There's no right amount. Start from a total you can pay without borrowing, then split it. As a rough guide, many UK families spend the most on partners and children, around a quarter of that on close family, and £5–£15 on teachers, colleagues and Secret Santa.
How do I stop overspending on Christmas presents?
Fix the total first, give everyone a per-person amount, and tick off each gift with what it actually cost. When a group's money is gone, stop buying for that group.
Kit list: Christmas gifts under £10: secret Santa and stocking fillers. (Our page. It includes Amazon affiliate links.)
Related calculators & guides
Christmas gifts under £10 · Christmas budget calculator · Free Christmas checklist (PDF) · Christmas food per head · Hosting cost calculator · Weekly food budget guide · Black Friday deal checker · Christmas budget guide
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