Ho, ho, oh no...

How to keep holiday spending in check

It’s almost a tradition in and of itself for many: overspending at the holidays.

If you want to keep the holidays joyful and less stressful, here are a few tips on keeping control of your holiday spending.

Budget for 1 everything Holidays can include spending beyond just gifts. Set up a budget for those, plus travel, decorations, parties and cards. Don’t forget those small items that add up like holiday cards, wrapping paper and stamps or shipping costs.

2 Consider alternatives You don’t have to give gifts for everyone. If there are people you can trim from your list, start there. Rein in family gifts by drawing names or forgoing gifts altogether. And for kids, prioritize their wants. They don’t need everything on their list.

3 Check the “cushions” Remember the days when you ransacked the couch cushions for loose change? There are better places to hunt for forgotten money.

Consider looking at your gift card stash, credit card rewards or coin jar to add to help pay for things. Consider passing along heirlooms, a beloved item or offering your time to help someone as a gift.

4 Trim elsewhere Sometimes the extra spending means cutting other places to save. Try eating out less, pausing subscriptions or memberships and focus on free entertainment for a bit. It’s something that is useful anytime of year but scour your recurring bills for possible savings, such as finding a cheaper cell phone plan. 5 Keep updating A budget should be a living document, regularly updated and adjusted. Log spending regularly, you may want to use apps such as Santa's Bag or Christmas List that allow you to update from your phone.

This approach does more than keep us honest about spending. At the end of the season, it provides a realistic idea of how much to save for next year. Take that total and divide by 12, then set up a monthly transfer to an online savings account labeled “Christmas.” Having the money to pay for the holidays in cash every year may be the best gift of all. This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.