While the start of the winter shopping season might seem far away now, it’ll be here before you know it. The end of the year brings holiday cheer, but if you aren’t budgeting for it, the festivities might bring some unpleasant surprises to your bills—and that’s no way to end or start a year.

Fortunately, you have time to control your holiday spending smartly. We’ve compiled a few tips that may help you keep your year-end budget in check as you get ready for the winter season.

Save a Little More Now for Holiday Spending Later

If you’ve been saving for the holidays, then you already have an idea of how your budget is going to pan out this season. You know you’re in good shape as long as the money you spend to cover bills and living expenses isn’t being diverted to spend on holiday shopping.

With the season closing in quickly, you can fine-tune your everyday spending now to save for those special occasions later. For instance:

• Cut back on junk food when going weekly grocery shopping
• Refuel your car in the morning or at night to optimize value at the pump
• Ease up on your air conditioning as outdoor temperatures get milder

Try to have a hard number in mind when thinking of your holiday expenses, and then stick to it. This is where putting your money in a dedicated, seasonal spending account will come in handy since it gives a visual reminder of your limits.

Refine and Define Your Gift Shopping List

Wanting to buy something nice for everyone you know is understandable. On the other hand, it isn’t practical to spend beyond your means, no matter the occasion.

Make a shopping list for close friends and family to enforce your budget. Then, refine it. You may want to divvy up your gift-giving budget by putting a hard cap on spending per person. Investopedia’s holiday spending tips recommend that you start trimming your list if it exceeds five recipients.

But we get it: excluding people from gift-giving can feel a little off-putting. There are lower-cost ways to spread the holiday cheer. Take, for example:

• Baking a batch of cookies for your neighbors
• Giving simple DIY ornaments or cards to coworkers
• Handing out bulk candy or simple favors to friends

Shop Strategically for Holiday Deals

When it’s time to buy, do so carefully. Observations on holiday shopping over the past several years have found that people are trying to get their shopping done earlier, with some reporting that consumers are starting as early as October. As a result, retailers have also had to adjust their marketing strategy to attract more customers.

In other words, deals are being offered constantly. Apps and browser extensions can do much of the heavy lifting for you by finding the best offer or discounts from merchants, both online and in-person. Nerdwallet has a list of recommended coupon apps to start your search.

Place your online orders early! As the holidays approach, shipping lines will be more congested, and you may end up paying a premium for expedited delivery. Extra shipping costs are a surefire way to tip your budget off-balance. Alternatively, you can shop online at a major retailer and opt for pickup in-store at a local location.

Give Practical Gifts

Part of controlling your holiday spending is choosing the right gifts for your recipients. After all, a gift that is never used is essentially money spent for nothing. For the people who are on your shopping list, it is always better to shop with their needs in mind rather than chasing trends.

Also, remember that shopping trends throughout the year make an impact on when discounts are at their most valuable. U.S. News and World Report compiled a holiday shopping calendar that lists when certain categories of items are most likely to go on sale. You can always give your recipient a gift card to a special interest retailer and let them buy when the time is right.

Here’s something that’s also specific to the state of Florida. Remember that there’s a tax holiday on school supplies at the start of 2024, from January 1 through 14. If someone on your list (or their child) needs a new tablet or supplies for school, you can always present them with a gift card to a local retailer that participates in the tax holiday—they’ll appreciate the New Year savings, too!

Keep the Reason for the Season in Mind

By and large, shifts in the current economic environment have affected everyone. So, it’s entirely reasonable to think your loved ones are also keeping their mind on their money like you.

If you haven’t already done so, try and set up an earnest conversation with the people you plan on meeting during the holidays. You don’t have to talk deeply about finances, but you can share how your current situations might influence your holiday spending.

These conversations can also help everyone in your group to set their expectations, and even bring about ideas for spending time or helping to keep everyone within budget.

Some ideas include:

• Organizing a gift exchange with a spending limit
• Hosting a potluck where everyone contributes to the spread
• Committing to a volunteer day where friends help a local organization

For many, the holidays are more about shared experiences rather than the gifts that others receive. While budgeting is most associated with money and where it goes, time is also factor. That said, there is nothing more valuable than sharing your time with the people who will cherish it most.

By incorporating some of these holiday spending strategies above, you may find it easier to enjoy the festivities with friends and loved ones. Keeping an eye on your year-end finances allows you to ring in the New Year with confidence. With a little bit of planning, keeping your finances in order will let you focus on the things that matter.