Tightening Your 2026 Holiday Budget? A Smarter Way To Approach It

Does your holiday budget look a little different this year?

According to PwC's 2026 Holiday Outlook, consumer confidence is down 18.5% from last year, and travel budgets are taking the biggest hit, down 24% per consumer.

But that doesn't mean everyone is staying home. PwC found that 40% of consumers still plan to travel this year, only slightly below last year's 44%.

We see the same pattern on our own team at RaiseRight. Out of 17 team members we surveyed*, no one plans to spend more than last year. But nearly 60% said they'd protect traditions and time with loved ones, and that includes spending on travel or gatherings to make that happen.

People aren't skipping the holidays, but they need to find cheaper ways to celebrate it.

What's on the chopping block?

RaiseRight team members were asked what they'd give up first if they had to cut back, and gifts and decorations were at the top of the list.

"To me, family time is more important than unwrapping a gift that they really don't need in the first place," says Donna, a customer support representative. 

Emily, senior director of operations, puts it this way: "Family members won't remember if they received less gifts, but they will remember if we skip a tradition."

And for Kim, vice president of marketing, the trip back home is non-negotiable. "It's typically the only time of year we all get together."

PwC's data points the same direction. Family time and in-person gatherings are what people are holding onto, and even 63% of Gen Z would prefer to share a meal over a physical present.

The price tag of the gathering

Gifts and decorations are an easy cut. But getting together, even when it's just at home, can still be costly.

Think about what a family gathering actually costs: gas or a plane ticket to get there, groceries to host the dinner, other meals along the way, maybe a night out for family entertainment. Most of that is spending you can't skip. 

Sales and price comparisons are the usual moves, and we reach for them, too (65% of our team waits for sales, 41% compare prices). But sales don't apply to gas, and they're only worthwhile if the timing aligns. Comparing prices also takes time and effort that's hard to find in December.

When the basics already feel expensive, nobody needs one more thing to manage.

How to save on holiday necessities

For the essentials you can't skip, RaiseRight is one of the simplest ways to save.

Shop online or buy gift cards for the places you're already spending money at, like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, and a percentage of every purchase goes toward your chosen school, team, or other program.

Here's where to use RaiseRight this holiday season to stretch every dollar, including a few places you might not expect.

Gas

An essential, and one of the easiest places to start; with over 40 gas and auto brands on RaiseRight, you're sure to find your go-to station. Get a reloadable gift card to earn money back every time you fuel up all year long.

Groceries

The holiday dinner is often the biggest grocery run of the year, and for many, it's the one worth protecting. Our senior designer Jose says that "being able to spend time with family and enjoy good food means more to me than gifts."

RaiseRight offers 75+ grocery brands, so you're bound to find your favorite local or regional store, plus options like Instacart and the Grocery and Auto+ Mastercard for places like Costco, ALDI, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods.

Ground transportation

Getting around adds up quickly during the holidays. Factor in airport rides, a train to your hometown, or rideshare to and from parties—these expenses are easy to overlook when you're setting a budget. Luckily, RaiseRight partners with Uber, Lyft, and Amtrak, so you earn and save on every ride you take. 

Airfare and lodging

Holiday fares and rooms are rarely cheap, and waiting for a price drop is a gamble. PwC finds that a third of travelers with plans are skipping the plane ticket, and 38% are choosing budget or midrange hotels.

If you're booking anyway, RaiseRight offers dozens of airlines and hotels, including Southwest, Delta, Best Western, Marriott, and Airbnb. You don’t need to wait for a sale or lucky timing, because you'll earn on whatever you spend.

Family activities and entertainment

These are often the first to be cut, but they're also core to the memories. Our administrative assistant Stacy loves "gifting experiences because it means spending time together as a family."

Plan an outing around what's in the RaiseRight catalog, like the movies, Dave & Buster's, or Topgolf, and you can still have quality time while earning on it. The family vacation may not be happening this year, but the time together still can.