HOLIDAYS: Tips for holiday shopping on a budget
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Nov. 4, 2025
Fast Facts:
- Avoid overspending by setting a total limit for all shopping
- Make gift lists early, consider group gifts instead of individual ones
- Use coupons and shop early, spread out purchases
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LITTLE ROCK — As the holiday season approaches, the cost of gift giving can add stress to already-stretched household budgets. To help Arkansas families avoid overspending, an expert with the Cooperative Extension Service offers tips and tricks for shopping wisely.
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach branch of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“It’s time to start planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” said Teresa Henson, extension assistant professor of EFNEP for the Division of Agriculture. “During this time, we have the tendency to overspend money we don’t have in our budget, and we end up in debt for the upcoming year.”
Henson shares the following tips for shopping smart and getting creative with gift giving:
- Set a holiday limit. Decide how much you can afford to spend overall. Break this cost down by person or category, including gifts, decorations or food for celebrations.
- Make a gift list early. “Prioritize who you’re buying for and brainstorm affordable gift ideas,” Henson said. “Consider group gifts or family gifts instead of individual ones. By gifting something like tickets to an event or a fun board game, you can provide an experience that the whole family can enjoy.”
- Track your spending. This element is key, Henson said. “Use a budgeting app or a spreadsheet to stay on track,” she said. “The best way to avoid impulse purchases is to make your list and stick to it.”
- Shop early. Take advantage of sales like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday or weekly local grocery store deals. If shopping online, check for relevant promotional codes before checking out. “Keep an eye out for early sales and spread out your purchases to avoid a big financial hit all at once,” Henson said.
- Get started early on handmade gifts. “Bake treats, make crafts or create a personalized scrapbook with photo gifts and family recipes,” Henson said. “A heartfelt letter or memory book can be much more meaningful than a store-bought item.”
- Try a gift exchange. To avoid having to buy presents for multiple members of a large family, try setting up a Secret Santa exchange or having each family member draw names to pick gift recipients. Then, set a maximum gift budget that the family agrees to stay within.
- Get thrifty. Check out local thrift shops, dollar stores or outlet malls. “You can often find unique and budget-friendly items that don’t break the bank at your local secondhand store,” Henson said.
- Give experiences instead of things. Henson suggests offering babysitting, a homemade dinner or a day out together. “Create coupon books for services or fun activities to do together,” Henson said. “Wrap these books up and put them under the tree, so the recipient still gets to enjoy the fun of opening a present.”
- Shop your pantry first when planning for meals. “When planning family holiday meals, check your own pantry first to see if you already have any staple ingredients that the recipes call for,” Henson said. “Then, make a detailed list of what you need before heading to the store. Buying only what you need can help you avoid spending money on unnecessary extras.”
- Plan potluck gatherings. “If you’re hosting, ask each guest to bring a dish,” Henson said. “This adds variety to the table and saves you the time, money and stress of cooking everything yourself. If you and friends are planning a get-together, be the one to suggest a potluck-style meal. Chances are, everyone could benefit from sharing the cost.”
Travel smart
If you and your family plan to travel by plane or car during the holidays, stopping to purchase food can quickly become expensive. To save money, Henson suggests:
- Pre-packing healthy snacks in your carry-on bag or suitcase, such as trail mix, granola bars, almonds, mixed nuts or dried fruits. “If driving, take the time to pack plenty of snacks for the road, including a cooler if you have room — this way you can also take sandwiches and beverages on-the-go,” Henson said.
- Instead of purchasing bottled water, take your own water bottle. Airports and hotels have water stations, and you can fill up without spending more money.
“You can enjoy the holidays without stressing about your finances if you start early and plan ahead,” Henson said. “This a great way to have a memorable and joyous holiday with your friends and family, without the cost of the season weighing heavily on your mind.”
For more household budgeting tips and help with personal finance, visit the uaexMoney page on the extension website.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
@RKHall_
501-671-2061