Boxing Day Financial Stocktake: What Christmas Actually Cost You
The prawns are eaten, the cricket's on. Before you hit the Boxing Day sales, let's tally up what the festive season actually cost and plan for 2026.
Boxing Day. The Boxing Day Test is on the telly, the leftovers are sorted, and somewhere between the backyard cricket and the shopping centre queues, a thought creeps in: how much did Christmas actually cost?
Let's do a proper stocktake before you hit the sales.
The Average Aussie Christmas Spend
Australians spend an average of $1,200-$1,800 AUD on Christmas. Here's the typical breakdown:
| Category | Average Spend |
|---|---|
| Gifts | $500-800 |
| Food & drinks | $300-400 |
| Travel (visiting family) | $200-400 |
| Decorations | $50-100 |
| Holiday activities | $100-200 |
| New summer clothes | $100-150 |
Hidden costs: Esky top-ups, extra ice, sunscreen, the pool toy that lasted one day, Uber Eats when no one wanted to cook, bottle shop runs.
Time to Face the Numbers
Grab your phone and tally up:
- Bank accounts - December 1st to today
- Credit cards - All of them
- Afterpay/Zip - Check your upcoming payments
- Cash withdrawals - The spending you can't track
Write it down. Don't round down.
If You're Carrying Christmas Debt
You're not alone. About a third of Aussies put Christmas on credit. The question is: what's the plan to clear it?
The minimum payment trap:
$2,000 credit card debt at 18% interest:
- Minimum payment: ~$50/month
- Time to clear: 5+ years
- Total interest paid: $1,100+
That's more than 50% extra.
Better approach: Fix your payment at $180/month. Clear it in 12 months. Pay ~$190 in interest.
Calculate your debt payoff timeline →
The Boxing Day Sales Trap
The irony of Boxing Day: trying to fix overspending by spending more because things are "50% off."
Before you queue up:
- Did I want this before I saw the discount?
- Would I pay full price?
- Is my credit card already carrying a balance?
A $400 appliance marked down to $200 isn't saving $200—it's spending $200.
Your Post-Christmas Financial Reset
This Week
- Total up December spending - Be honest
- Set a debt-free date - Pick a month
- Return what doesn't fit - Most stores extend returns into January
- Sell unwanted gifts - Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, eBay
January
- No-spend first week - Beach days are free
- Cancel free trials - The ones from Christmas shopping promos
- Review subscriptions - How many streaming services do you actually watch?
All Year
- Start a Christmas fund - $100/month = $1,200 by December
- Agree on spending limits - Talk to family now
- Plan a Kris Kringle - One gift instead of ten
The Power of Compound Interest
Here's what that credit card interest could become if it was invested instead:
$1,500 at 7% annual return:
- In 10 years: $2,950
- In 20 years: $5,800
- In 30 years: $11,400
Every dollar in interest is a dollar that can't grow for you.
Calculate your investment growth →
The Christmas Sinking Fund
The best time to prepare for next Christmas is Boxing Day, while the credit card sting is fresh.
| Monthly Amount | By December 2026 |
|---|---|
| $80 | $960 |
| $120 | $1,440 |
| $150 | $1,800 |
Open a separate savings account. Set up automatic transfers. Don't touch it until November.
Run Your Numbers
- Debt Payoff Calculator - Plan your escape from Christmas debt
- Australian Salary Calculator - See your actual take-home pay
- Investment Returns Calculator - Project your savings growth
The Bottom Line
The cricket will be there all day. The sales will be there all week. But right now—with the receipts still in your wallet and the credit card statements about to land—is the perfect moment for a financial reality check.
Boxing Day isn't just about bargains. It's the best day to start next year on the right foot.
Enjoy the Test match. Just maybe skip the shopping centre.