My holiday shopping budget is around $1,700 this year — I do 6 things to get the most out of every penny

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• I shop for 10 people during the holidays, so sticking to my budget requires a careful strategy.
• I set a budget for each person and figure out big-ticket items I’ll be buying in advance.
• My husband and I skip gifts for each other — if gift-giving isn’t your love language, it can save you a ton.

I have two young kids, four nieces and nephews, plus both my parents and in-laws to buy for, making for a long list of gifts to buy every holiday season. With 10 people on my list, the cost of those gifts can add up quickly.

A study from PwC says that holiday spending this year will average $1,638 per shopper, 7% higher than last year. Over the years, I’ve gotten better at saving money to lessen the financial burden of holiday shopping — that way, instead of worrying about my budget, I can sit back, sip some eggnog, and enjoy the holiday season.

1. Start early

I’ve never been a wait-until-the-last-minute person, and the holidays are no exception. I start shopping super early, avoiding the last-minute scramble for that must-have gift and risk overspending.

I start buying gifts in September, especially if there’s a sale or I’m buying for someone who’s historically hard to shop for. Keeping a detailed list on my phone of what I’ve already purchased and how much I’ve spent on each person helps me avoid duplicates or overspending on one person.

2. Make a detailed list

My husband often teases me about this, but from October on, I tell my kids to add it to their Christmas list anytime they ask for something. Sometimes we even take a picture of them with the item to “text to Santa.”

This cuts down on unnecessary pre-holiday spending, and creates a pretty detailed list of what they’re asking for this year. I keep a running list for each kid, usually an Amazon Wish List. Then I use that list to shop myself or share with friends and family when they ask.

This helps cut down on unwanted gifts. (Think, the noisy, messy, or not-age-appropriate items). Plus, knowing the big-ticket items they want far in advance helps me keep an eye out for sales.

3. Set a budget beforehand

Before the gifting season starts, I make a detailed list of who I need to buy for and how much I plan to spend on each person, tallying up our total spending budget. While this will differ for everyone, we spend $75 each on nieces and nephews, $100 for parents, and around $500 per child. This brings our total gift budget to around $1,700.

Not only does this keep me on track when shopping, but it helps me plan for that annual expense in my budget. After the holidays, I compare how much I spent versus my goal, which helps me refocus for next year.

4. Skip gifts for spouses

My birthday is in December and my husband’s is in January, so we usually skip buying for each other for Christmas. Is this the most romantic approach? No, but it saves us around $200 or more each holiday season, plus the inevitable after-holiday returns.

Neither of us particularly value gifts from a partner (not our love language), so it isn’t a big deal for us to skip it.

5. Shop Black Friday with a plan

Each year in anticipation of Black Friday, I make a list of the big-ticket items I’m shopping for. Currently on my list are a Skylight Calendar and Crazy Carts for my boys. When the day comes, I shop for those items and only those items.

Black Friday sales can be big whether you’re buying in person or online shopping, but they can also be distracting and stressful. It makes things so much easier to focus on one or two items and ignore the rest.

6. Opt out

With the holidays come the inevitable gift exchanges, cookie parties, and opportunities to buy for those in need. While I’d love to participate in all of the above, it doesn’t make financial sense.

We choose one extra gift-buying activity each year and stick to that. Last year, it was sponsoring two children through my son’s preschool. This year, we are donating pet toys and food to a local animal shelter.

Opting out doesn’t mean you’re a Scrooge, or not feeling the holiday spirit. It means that you’re keeping things simple this holiday season for the sake of your family’s sanity — and wallet.