September may feel too early to think about Christmas, but your December budget might disagree. Holiday expenses have a way of arriving all at once, from gifts and groceries to travel, decorations, and last-minute purchases. In 2025, Americans planned to spend an average of about $890 per person on winter holiday gifts and seasonal expenses, according to the National Retail Federation. That makes starting a Christmas savings plan months ahead less about being overly prepared and more about protecting your regular paycheck. If I had $100 available in September, I wouldn’t spend it on Christmas yet — I’d use it to create breathing room for the months ahead.
