How much can you spend per person on Christmas gifts?
Take your total budget, subtract what you will spend on wrapping, cards, shipping and food, then divide what is left by the number of people. $600 with $100 for extras and 10 people leaves $50 per person.
Quick chart
| Budget after extras | 5 people | 10 people | 15 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 | $50 | $25 | $17 |
| $500 | $100 | $50 | $33 |
| $750 | $150 | $75 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $200 | $100 | $67 |
How this works
This is simple arithmetic, not financial advice. The useful step is setting aside extras first, since wrapping, stamps and shipping are the costs people forget.
You do not have to give everyone the same amount. Use the per-person number as a starting point, then move money between people and keep the total the same.
Track every gift and budget with the Christmas Gift Tracker
Questions
- How do I set a Christmas budget?
- Start from what you can spend without debt, take off extras, then divide by the people on your list.
- What counts as extras?
- Wrapping, cards, stamps, shipping, hosting and food are the usual ones.
- Should everyone get the same amount?
- No. It is only a starting point, so move money around as you like.
More calculators
By Home with June. June is a fictional host. These are rules of thumb and simple arithmetic to help you plan, so adjust by eye.