Christmas tariffs are here, and they are making the things we enjoy during the holidays more expensive. There are ways to still stay on budget this Christmas, even with the high tariffs.
Have you stopped to think about how many of the things we enjoy during the holidays are either imported or use imported materials? Due to the Trump tariffs, we will find out this year.
It’s hard to keep up with what tariffs are in place, but as we inch closer to Christmas, it does appear many key tariffs could be in place during the holiday season, driving up the cost of many of the things we love to enjoy during the holidays. You can keep up with current tariffs on this Tariff Tracker.
We want to prepare now for how these tariffs could impact Christmas and our budgets to help them have the least impact possible. So let’s talk about what we can expect to see as things stand now.
Christmas Tariffs and How to Stay on Budget
We are already seeing prices rising on all kinds of goods, and this is not going to change anytime soon. Some of the things we can expect to be more expensive and even possibly harder to find include Christmas decorations, toys, food, and we may even see delays and changes to Christmas movies.
The first step in helping to save money this Christmas and manage the Christmas tariff costs is to create a Christmas budget. This will be more important than ever to help you stay on top of things.
Now, let’s get into some ways to save money despite the tariffs. Keep in mind this is an ever-changing situation.
Christmas Decorations
We saw a taste of how the tariffs will impact Christmas decorations very quickly, as Hallmark had the Ornament Premiere soon after many of the tariffs were announced. While they manufacture 75% of their core products in Kansas City, they were still hit hard. Hallmark ornament prices went up considerably this year.
We won’t just be seeing a price increase, but the selection of Christmas decorations will also likely suffer.
“We’re going to have a lower supply year,” said Chris Butler, CEO of National Tree Company, a New Jersey-based artificial tree importer supplying Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. (source)
Money Saving Tips
- Don’t buy anything new. This year, focus on using things you already have.
- Shop the thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace. Buying used items is another way to get something cheaper, as these items won’t be impacted by tariffs and are cheaper in the first place.
- Make your own Christmas decor. Making DIY Christmas decorations can be a fun activity and help you save some money.
Christmas Gifts
Not only will we likely see many gifts with a higher price tag this year, but we may also have shortages. The toy industry usually ramps up production in April, but it was delayed until late May this year because of a lack of clarity on tariffs.
Some businesses aren’t even shipping to the US now because of the hassle and expense. My husband recently ordered something from Germany, only to have the order cancelled because of tariff-related issues.
Flexibility will be another key when it comes to Christmas shopping this year. It may not be possible to find some of the hottest items even if there is space in your budget.
Money Saving Tips
- Put more of a focus on memories this season. Look for fun experiences to have together instead of buying as much stuff.
- Shop during sales and start early. Starting now can help you look for good prices.
- Make DIY gifts for friends and family. Often, these handmade Christmas gifts are more special than a generic gift.
- Check out my list of 50 free Christmas gifts for some additional ideas.
Christmas Food
Food costs have also been rising for many reasons, including tariffs and immigration policy. This could make Christmas dinner a lot more expensive this year.
Money Saving Tips
- Start looking for deals early. A lot of food can be purchased ahead of time, so start stocking up when items are on sale. Just be mindful of dates, and also make sure you have your meal planned and keep track of what you have already purchased. You can use my Christmas planner to help with this. You can also find ideas for what’s on sale on the What to Buy Each Month series here on the site.
- Use a cashback app like Fetch Rewards or Shopkick. You can use the points you earn for other Christmas expenses.
- Make a simpler dinner. Talk to family and friends and see what dishes really matter and stick to those.
- Have a potluck. My family has done potlucks for big meals for years. It’s also a great way to have a wide range of dishes.
Christmas Movies
One of the latest victims of tariffs is Christmas movies. Just this morning, September 29th, Trump announced a 100% tariff on foreign films. This was something talked about back in May, but was stopped after a lot of confusion.
We don’t have details on this year, and movie studios haven’t commented as of writing this. But many Christmas movies are produced and filmed in Canada. We will have to wait and see how this will impact Christmas movies this year and next.
The biggest thing we can do is remember that Christmas isn’t about the stuff, it’s about the memories and time with those we love. It’s a great time to make Christmas a little less about consumerism.
Also, shopping with small businesses like the ones taking part in The Stress-Free Christmas Market is so important. These small businesses are struggling and need our support more than ever. Buying fewer, but higher-quality gifts and decor this year can make it more special.
More Money Saving Christmas Resources
There are a lot of other great resources here on The Stress-Free Christmas to help you save money this year while still having a magical Christmas.
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