Christmas budget calculator (UK)
This free Christmas budget calculator starts from what you can afford, takes out food, cards and travel, and shows how much you can spend on each person. No sign-up, and nothing you type is saved.
Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The starting numbers are only an example; change them to your own. General information, not financial advice.
How the calculator works
It follows the same four steps as our guide to setting a Christmas budget per person:
- Start from what you can afford, not from what you spent last year. Leave enough for January bills.
- Take out everything that is not a gift first: food and drink, cards and postage, decorations and wrapping, travel and nights out.
- Keep a buffer of about 10% for the things you forget, like an extra guest or a last-minute present.
- Split what is left by group, with one amount per person in each group. If the gifts come to more than you have, the calculator suggests lower amounts that fit.
Once you know your amounts, write them next to each name on the free Christmas gift list printable, and check the Christmas 2026 last posting dates before you buy for people you post to.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about the Christmas budget calculator.
How much should I spend on Christmas per person?
There is no right amount. Start from the total you can afford without borrowing, take out the costs that are not gifts, and share what is left. The calculator does this for you and shows the amount per person for each group.
Why does the calculator keep a buffer?
Christmas nearly always costs a bit more than planned: an extra guest, more postage or a forgotten present. A buffer of about 10% of your total covers this without going over. You can set it to 0% if you prefer.
What if my gifts come to more than I have?
The calculator shows how much you are over and suggests lower amounts per person for each group that fit what is left. You can also move a few people to a smaller group or lower one of the other costs.
Are my numbers saved?
No. Everything stays in your browser and is gone when you close the page. Use the Copy my budget button to paste your numbers into a note or message.
Keep the whole Christmas plan in one place
The UK Christmas Planner 2026 has a budget page, gift list, card list, posting planner and meal plan in one printable PDF, plus a spreadsheet that adds everything up as you type.