Christmas Budget Instructions

 
 
 

Easy as 1,2,3

Note: Only yellow cells in the file can be edited. This protects the formulas and keeps everything running smoothly.  

When you open your Christmas Budget, after viewing the Read Me tab:

  1. Enter your Total Christmas budget in the yellow box on the Dashboard tab. This is the maximum you want to spend overall.

  2. Go through each category tab (e.g. Gifts, Décor, Food & Entertainment) and set a Sub-budget which is how much you want to spend in that specific category.

  3. Check that all category sub-budgets add up to your Total Christmas budget in the Dashboard.  

  4. In the Dashboard tab, check if the total of your category budgets exceed your Total Christmas budget. If they do, this will be flagged.

  5. To bring your budget in line, adjust your Sub-budgets in each tab until the notification on the dashboard disappears.

  6. Once your category Sub-budgets on each tab are set, list the individual items you want to purchase in each table and give each one its own Mini budget.

  7. The Mini budget for all items on each tab must be less than or equal to the category sub-budget. If the total Mini budgets exceed the sub-budget for that cateogory, you will see an alert at the top of the tab.  To bring your budget in line, adjust your Mini-budgets in the table until the notification disappears.

  8. As you spend, record your actual spending in the spent column on each tab. The under/overspend column will automatically show how much you’re within or over budget.  

  9. When all tabs are complete, return to the Dashboard to view your spending summary visually and see how you are doing compared to your budget.

  10. Continue to tweak, update, and check your numbers regularly to stay on track through the festive season.  

💡 Bonus Tip: Keep this file as part of your business records and make a copy to use again next Christmas!  

Key Terms

Total Christmas budget: The maximum amount you want to spend.

Sub-budget: The amount you want to spend for each category eg Entertainment.

Mini-Budget: The amount you want to spend on each item within the Category eg Drinks.

 
 

Have questions? Check out the FAQs here