11 Smart Ways to Budget for Your Health This Holiday Season

3. SPLURGE: Mental Health Support During the Season

The holidays can stir up loneliness, grief, and anxiety—even for people who otherwise manage well. Investing in mental health support is one of the highest-return holiday spends. Typical costs vary; a few sessions might run $150–$300 depending on sliding-scale options and whether you use telehealth. The value goes beyond symptom relief: therapy helps you set boundaries, manage family dynamics, and develop coping tools that affect work, sleep, and relationships. If traditional therapy costs feel out of reach, explore these lower-cost routes: employer assistance programs, community mental-health centers, and online platforms with affordable subscription models. Many therapists offer a brief consultation to see if their approach fits your needs; use that to prioritize who you’ll see. Also consider guided group therapy or skills workshops, which can be more budget-friendly while still offering structure and peer support. If you already have a therapist, ask about scheduling a few focused sessions before major gatherings so you head into them better prepared. Prioritizing mental health helps you enjoy the season more and reduces the financial and emotional cost of crisis care later. (Mental health organizations; AARP)

4. SAVE: Trendy Wellness Gadgets as Gifts

Gadgets sparkle under trees but frequently lose shine after the first few weeks. Wearable devices, novelty appliances, and specialty kitchen tools can cost $50–$300 and may end up as clutter rather than lasting help. Before buying, ask whether the gadget fulfills a clear need or merely follows a trend. If you want to gift health, consider experiences or consumables with real utility: a class subscription, a massage voucher, a home-cooked meal kit, or a practical item tied to a recipient’s routine. Another thoughtful swap is a low-cost trial: instead of buying the gadget outright, gift a one-month subscription to a meditation app or a series of community fitness classes so the recipient can test interest before a bigger investment. When gadgets are genuinely useful—say, a reliable blood-pressure monitor for someone tracking hypertension—choose models with clear reviews and warranty support and pair the gift with setup help. That increases the chance the item will actually be used. Being tidy about where you put holiday gadget dollars preserves budget space for high-value health items.