A financial expert on the 7 money hacks that'll help you budget for Christmas.

Thanks to our brand partner, Origin Energy

Okay, I'm calling it: whether you're the type of Grinch who refuses to set up your tree until it's practically January, or you've been singing Mariah Carey on repeat all month, I formally declare that the festive season is upon us again.

How can I be so certain, I hear you ask? Could it be the smell of summer in the air or the gentle jingle of bells in the distance?

Well, no. In fact, I'm confident it's Christmas-time because my debit card is, quite literally, sizzling with overuse.

It's no secret that it's a pricey time of year, which is why I spoke to Téa Angelos, CEO of Smart Women Society and all-round money expert, to get her best tips for saving money.

Image: Supplied.

And not a moment too soon. As Téa confirmed, "Christmas can be a tricky time for budgeting because it's full of events, gifts and spending."

"In many households, women take the lead when it comes to planning and budgeting for Christmas. They're usually the ones managing the gift list, coordinating family get-togethers and balancing the day-to-day spending with the extra holiday costs."

But, she warned, "the pressure to buy gifts, decorate and keep up with social expectations (like dinners or travel) can quickly add up."

So how can we get on top of it? Let's go through it.

1. Create a budget.

Like so many things in life, Christmas spending can go south quickly if you fail to plan in advance. Téa recommended sitting down and using the Smart Women Society and Origin Energy Christmas Planner Spreadsheet to get your planning underway as soon as possible.

"Origin has partnered with Smart Women Society to create a free Christmas Planner that's perfect for planning and setting your holiday budget," Téa said.

"Start by creating a gift list with set budgets for each person so you're not swayed by random bargains that don't actually fit into your plan. If you go into Christmas shopping with a solid idea of what you want to buy, it's much easier to stay on track and avoid overspending."

2. Keep entertaining costs low.

Speaking of food and decorations, Christmas entertaining can be unexpectedly pricey — seafood, anyone?

Téa recommended knowing exactly what you need for the meal before hitting the shops and bulk-buying drinks, snacks and other non-perishable foods where possible.

"You can also ask guests to bring a dish instead of providing everything yourself," she added. "This spreads out the cost and can add more variety to the meal."

3. Start shopping early.

Well, well, well. If it isn't all those aforementioned Grinches coming crawling back. According to Téa, there's a legitimate financial reason to put up your Christmas tree early (well, kind of).

Waiting until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping is a big budget no-no.

"Start buying earlier, so you can take advantage of Black Friday and early bird sales and avoid the panic buys closer to Christmas," she suggested. "Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) are great opportunities to snag some serious savings."

To get the most out of your discount shopping, Téa recommended using an app or website that allows you to compare prices across different websites and sales before you buy.

If you want to go a step further, she suggested signing up for newsletters ahead of the big sales too.

"Many retailers send out exclusive offers to their email subscribers, so if you've got your eye on something specific, it's worth signing up in advance to get alerts about flash sales and special promotions."

4. Shop smarter, not harder.

Did you know some utility providers offer exclusive discounts and perks? Energy, internet and mobile plans often come with unexpected benefits that can help you save.

For example, if you're with Origin Energy, you can make the most of Origin Rewards. Shoppers can access discounts to fave Aussie retailers like The Iconic, JB HiFi, The Good Guys and Endota Spa — perfect for snagging Christmas gifts without the stress.

And for summer holiday activities, Origin Rewards offers up to 45 per cent off movie tickets, including Gold Class and Lux, so you can catch releases like Wicked and Gladiator for less.

5. Swap out quantity for quality. 

When it comes to gift-giving, more is not necessarily more. Ever had a Christmas where you ended up with a bunch of stuff you don't want? It's a fairly universal experience, and one that can certainly be avoided.

"Consider organising a Secret Santa with your family or friends, where everyone only buys one gift for one person," Téa suggested.

That gift can be something the person has put on a Secret Santa wishlist as something they actually want or need, rather than something you've picked up while wandering through the shops on Christmas Eve (guilty).

6. Avoid impulse buying.

We get it — Christmas is a high-energy time of year. Téa suggested channelling that excitement into DIY decorations or presents, rather than buying more than you actually need.

"Stick to your list and resist the temptation of impulse buys in-store."

She's careful to emphasise that budgeting over Christmas doesn't mean stripping the joy from the season — after all, heading into the New Year without a post-Christmas debt hangover is arguably the pinnacle of Christmas cheer.

As for actual hangovers? That's totally up to you.

7. Consider other ways to save money.

Rather than thinking about your Christmas spending in a vacuum, Téa suggested looking at all your spending across December to see where you can save money.

"If you haven't checked your energy plan recently, take advantage of the break to review your bills and compare suppliers. Switching to a provider like Origin Energy, one of Australia's leading energy providers, can help lower your ongoing costs, freeing up more money for the festive season," she said.

Other tips include auditing your TV and app subscriptions to see if there's anything you can cancel or downgrade, using cashback apps to save money on your everyday purchases and switching to energy-efficient products for your heating and cooling.

"Small changes like switching to LED lights or unplugging devices can lower your utility bills over time," she shared.

Savings on your energy bill can go straight into the Christmas budget — a win, win if I ever saw one.

Find and compare the latest electricity and natural gas plans for your address, and make the switch to Origin.

Feature Image: Getty.

Origin is one of Australia's leading energy companies with the ambition to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and customer solutions. For useful info, along with tips and tricks, head to www.originenergy.com.au/blog