'I swore I'd never overspend at Christmas again. These 5 hacks saved me.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Origin Energy

The feeling of gifting at Christmas is unmatched — except when you check your bank balance at the end of the month.

Overspending during the festive season isn't anything new. We've all overindulged in gift-buying or added one-too-many desserts to the family dinner table. From gifts to decorations and endless delivery fees, the costs add up.

For instance, last Christmas I purchased a one-of-a-kind personalised present for my sister from overseas, only to find out it would cost me around $50 for the express shipping to get it before Christmas. I couldn't not do it — but it cost me. Big time.

Saving money at Christmas is really about working smarter, not harder — spending where it matters and finding clever ways to pull it back elsewhere.

The good news is that there are usually offers out there that will have you feeling merry. So without further ado, here are five simple things we can all be doing to save money this Christmas.

All I want for Christmas is… streaming.

If your streaming services are burning a hole in your back pocket, it might be worth finding ways to get them for free.

Origin Internet is offering a very special deal to new or moving residential internet customers who sign up online or by phone.

Internet speed plans of 100mbps+ come with a 12-month Prime membership (valued at $120) and two years of DoorDash DashPass (valued at $230) — that's a total of $359 worth of perks.

You need an internet connection anyway, so why not go somewhere that gives you extras too? In the chaos of Christmas, it means you can stream movies, order dinner or get a last-minute present delivered — all without the extra spend. It's the perfect switch to make before the festive season hits.

If you take the plunge but already have Prime Video, don't worry — you'll still benefit, with your payments paused for 12 months while services continue uninterrupted.

And if you don't know, Origin Energy's been named Canstar's best-rated bundled energy and telco provider for the past three years. They provide reliable, great-value internet, with customers able to save $10 per month when they bundle electricity and gas.

It's only made sweeter by the fact that Prime Video has a huge array of Christmas movies, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas (from December 1) and Oh. What. Fun. (from December 3).

Santa baby… maybe it's time for a Kris Kringle.

Set a spending limit by being upfront with family and friends about expectations — they'll probably thank you for it.

Whether it's $20, $50 or a niche instruction like "nothing that needs an instruction manual", setting a clear cap takes the pressure off outdoing each other.

Or you can go for group gifting, like Kris Kringle. Everyone draws one name and spends a set amount. You save money, ditch the stress and don't have to fake excitement over your cousin's novelty mug.

You can even apply this to food. Try a "bring a plate" Christmas for your festive lunch or dinner. It's still special, but it means one person isn't footing the entire bill for the ham, the prawns and the pav.

Merry, bright and a little bit DIY.

If you want to save money this year, switch your mindset from "big spender" to "big on sentimentality" and consider making your gifts instead.

You don't have to be Martha Stewart to pull this off. Homemade biscuits, curated playlists, framed kids' artwork or printed photos are all small but heartfelt gestures that land better than something generic from a department store.

You can also use what you already have — a jar of your signature spice mix, a book you loved or a plant cutting from your garden. It's thoughtful, low-cost and feels much more personal than yet another candle set.

Deck the halls (together). 

Evil-eyeing your neighbour's new bauble colour scheme? Why not avoid another trip to the store and swap with your friends each year.

Hosting a "decoration swap" is an easy way to update your Christmas decor without breaking the bank, and it's another opportunity to hang out with your favourite gal pals.

You'll feel refreshed — and your living room will get its annual glow-up for free.

My true love gave to me: an early Christmas shop. 

This is the best thing you can do for your wellbeing and your wallet. Start early, watch for sales and skip express shipping fees that can quickly double your total at checkout.

Smart Women Society has created a Christmas Planner spreadsheet and ebook packed with trackers, templates and tips to help you stay organised. It'll keep you on top of your gifts and expenses well in advance so you know exactly where to spend and where you can save.

Online shopping also gives you time to compare prices and look for promo codes or cashback deals. And if you've signed up for a plan that includes free delivery perks (like Amazon Prime through Origin Internet's new offer), now's the perfect time to make the most of it. 

The key to saving money at Christmas isn't cutting the fun — it's cutting the waste. A few small swaps, smarter shopping and some clever hacks mean you can enjoy the good stuff without the guilt.

Check out Origin Internet's new offer and sign up on their website.

Eligibility & T&Cs Apply.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Moving home, or new to Origin internet? Here's a useful offer, launching October 6. Sign up to an eligible nbn® or Opticomm fibre plan (100Mbps or faster) and get 12 months of Amazon Prime membership completely free - that's Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, free delivery, and exclusive deals, normally $9.99/month. Plus, score 2 years of FREE DoorDash DashPass (valued at $239). Already a Prime member? Your payments pause for 12 months while you keep all your benefits. Visit originenergy.com.au to learn more and sign up now. That's thanks to our partner Origin.