Australians are tightening their belts to afford the festive season, according to new research by Finder.

Finder’s Shopping Report 2026 reveal 61% of surveyed Australians – equivalent to 13.3 million people – are planning at least one action to manage the cost of this year’s holiday shopping.

Buying fewer gifts is the most common tactic, with one in four respondents (26%) intending to cut back on presents this year. A further 22% say they’re setting a strict budget or spreadsheet to keep spending in check, while 19% say they’ll cut back on groceries or other essentials.

Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, says the festive season is piling extra financial pressure on households already struggling to make ends meet. 

“Christmas can put enormous pressure on budgets, particularly when people feel they have to buy a present for everyone and make the day special,” she says.

“Cutting back doesn’t mean you care any less. It can simply mean being realistic about what you can afford this year and investing in the moments that matter most.”

Finder’s research shows 17% of surveyed Australians plan to agree on a gift spending cap with family or friends, while 15% are taking on extra work to help pay for the holidays.

Others are looking for cash by selling unwanted items online (13%), while the same number (13%) say they will use buy now, pay later or a credit card they wouldn’t normally use.

One in 10 (10%) are opting to hand-make gifts in order to save money.

Ms Megginson says borrowing money to cover spending could leave households paying for the holiday period well into the new year.

“It’s concerning that so many Australians are planning to use credit or buy now, pay later services they wouldn’t normally use just to afford Christmas,” she says.

“The presents might be unwrapped by 25 December, but the repayments can hang around long after the decorations come down.”