The holidays bring extra spending on gifts, meals and travel. For homeowners, those costs arrive alongside mortgage payments, heating bills, insurance and property taxes. According to PwC’s 2026 Holiday Outlook, eight in 10 consumers plan to use a budgeting strategy this holiday season. Setting limits early can help you enjoy the season while keeping money available for bills that continue into the new year.
Start with your own household expenses. Review last winter’s utility bills and upcoming payment dates, then decide how much you can comfortably spend on holiday celebrations after covering essential costs.
Holiday Spending in 2026
Many shoppers are planning carefully this year. PwC’s 2026 Holiday Outlook found that consumers expect to spend an average of $708 on gifts and 79% say deals and discounts affect when they shop. Those figures show a broader trend but they are not a target for your household. Your spending limit should fit the money you have after essential bills are covered.
Start With the Bills You Already Know
Before setting a gift budget, list the expenses you expect between now and the end of January. Include your mortgage payment, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance and any property tax payment you make separately. If taxes and insurance are included in your mortgage payment through escrow, check your latest statement so you do not count them twice. The CFPB’s free bill calendar worksheet can help you map payment dates alongside paydays.
Property taxes deserve a look even if you pay through escrow. ATTOM’s 2025 Property Tax Analysis released in April 2026 found that the average property tax bill for a single-family home rose 3% in 2025, to $4,427. That is a national average, so your own bill and payment schedule matter most for your budget.
Once you have covered those expenses, decide how much remains for holiday spending. Leave some room for an unexpected home or car expenses rather than assigning every available dollar to the holidays.
Make One Budget for the Whole Season
Gifts are only part of holiday spending. Food, decorations, travel, shipping and gatherings can add up, too. Set one total you can afford, then divide it into categories.
For example, if your total is $400, you might set aside $200 for gifts, $100 for meals, $60 for travel and $40 for other costs. Adjust those amounts to fit your plans. A simple list in your phone or a spreadsheet can help you track purchases as you go. If you prefer a worksheet, use the CFPB’s spending tracker to record expenses and total them by category.
If the total feels too tight, consider a smaller gift exchange, a shared meal where guests bring a dish or free local activities. You can make meaningful plans without taking on a bill you will struggle to pay in January.
Check Your Winter Energy Costs
Heating your home can change your monthly budget. Your costs depend on your heating fuel, location, weather and energy use. Review last winter’s bills and your utility’s current rates or your heating oil supplier’s prices to make a household estimate. Set aside money for those expenses before deciding how much to spend on the holidays.
U.S. households are projected to spend an average of $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, an increase of $82, or 8.7 percent, over last year, according to analysis by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). If you heat your home with oil, this may be a particularly expensive winter. Heating oil costs are projected to rise by 31.3 percent, largely because of the sharp increase in heating oil prices driven by the war in Iran.
A few home maintenance steps may help reduce wasted energy. Check for drafts around doors and windows, replace worn weatherstripping and follow the maintenance instructions for your heating system. Our guide to getting your home ready for winter offers more ideas. The Department of Energy’s consumer guide to air sealing explains how to identify drafts and plan improvements.
If you are having trouble paying an energy bill, ask your utility about payment options. You can also check whether you qualify for help through your local energy assistance office. Eligibility and available assistance vary by location.
Check for Heating Assistance in Your State
Homeowners across the states BlueHub SUN serves may qualify for help with winter heating costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), sometimes called fuel assistance or HEAP. Eligibility, benefit amounts and application dates vary by state and household. Check with your local administering agency before assuming you do not qualify, even if you have not received assistance before.
Use the federal LIHEAP eligibility screening tool as a starting point, then contact your local agency to confirm eligibility and apply.
For example, Massachusetts announced expanded winter energy assistance on October 5, 2026, including increased HEAP support and a new benefit for some heating oil households that previously earned too much to qualify. The new benefit may provide up to $680 beginning in December, subject to eligibility and available funding. Massachusetts residents can check details at Massachusetts heating assistance.
Keep an Eye on January
Before making a large holiday purchase, look ahead to the first bills of the new year. Will a property tax payment, insurance renewal or higher heating bill come due? If you use a credit card for holiday purchases, include the repayment in your plan.
Homeowners may also see a change in their mortgage payment when taxes or insurance affect their escrow account. Our article on why homeowners insurance and property taxes are rising in 2026 explains what to review if your payment changes. The CFPB also explains how escrow accounts work and how they help pay property taxes and insurance.
Plan Ahead and Know Your Options
Holiday purchases and higher heating costs can put pressure on the same household budget. Before making a large purchase, check for upcoming expenses such as a property tax payment, insurance renewal or higher heating bill. If you use a credit card, include repayment in your plan.
If you think you may have trouble making a mortgage payment, contact BlueHub SUN or your mortgage servicer as soon as you can.
A holiday budget does not have to be complicated. Choose a seasonal spending limit you can live with and check your progress before each purchase. That gives you more room to enjoy the holidays and enter the new year with a plan.
Some BlueHub SUN mortgages include a Capital Reserve Account. It may help pay for certain repairs, unexpected home costs or an escrow shortage.
Call 855.604.HOME or email info@sunhomehelp.org to learn whether you have an account and whether an expense is eligible.
This newsletter is provided for informational use only and is not legal advice, nor is it intended to create or reflect a fiduciary duty or any other legal obligation on the part of BlueHub or any affiliated person or entity.
