Christmas Loans 2025: How and Where to Borrow Money for the Holidays

Christmas is one of the most anticipated times of the year, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Americans plan to spend nearly $900 per person this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey. 

The holiday costs add up, and sometimes budgeting can only get you so far. Christmas loans can help you bridge the gap between what’s in your bank account and what you need for the season.

You can borrow money for the holidays with a personal loan, a cash advance, or a buy now, pay later (BNPL) plan. The best choice depends on your income, job status, and credit score. Here’s a closer look at your options.

Table of Contents

1. If you need $1,000+: Personal loans for Christmas
   1. Credible
   2. Upstart
   3. Credit union Christmas loans
2. If you need a couple hundred dollars: Holiday cash advances
   1. EarnIn
   2. Dave
   3. Cleo
3. If you need to finance one large purchase: Buy now, pay later
   1. Affirm
   2. Sezzle
4. Christmas loans to avoid
5. Which type of loan for Christmas shopping is right for you?
6. Alternatives to Christmas loans
7. Recap: Best options when you need a loan for Christmas

If you need $1,000+: Personal loans for Christmas

Personal loans offer the highest spending limit and the lowest monthly payment. So if you expect to spend $1,000 or more, one of these Christmas loans might be the best fit. 

You do typically need decent credit to qualify, so it might not be an option if you have bad credit and need a Christmas loan. Still, Upstart, one of our recommendations below, will take credit scores as low as 300.

Credible

Best Marketplace

4.9 _/5

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

As an online marketplace, Credible lets you compare loan offers from different lenders at once. You get a list of offers after completing a single form, saving you hours of research.

Credible’s marketplace is a solid option if you’re on a tight holiday timeline and want to find the best deal quickly. But depending on your loan, the convenience might come at a cost—origination fees range from 0% to 15%.

• Quickly compare multiple loan offers
• 2-minute prequalification 
• Free to use

• Approval requirements vary
• Origination fee of up to 15%
• No joint loans

Fixed rates (APR)	7.74% – 15.94%1
Loan amount	$1,000 – $200,000
Repayment terms	12 – 120 months
Timeline	1 business day
Min. credit score	580 (varies by lender)

Upstart

Best for Thin Credit

4.8 _/5

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

With a minimum score requirement of 300, Upstart is one of our top picks for Christmas loans. Most applicants receive an instant decision, making it helpful during a last-minute scramble. 

The biggest downside is that Upstart’s repayment terms are shorter than average, so it might not be the right fit if you need a low monthly payment.

• Low minimum credit score requirement
• Funding within 24 hours
• Instant decision for most borrowers

• Origination fee of up to 12% 
• Late payment fee
• Limited repayment term options

Fixed rates (APR)	7.80% – 35.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $75,000
Repayment terms	36 – 60 months
Timeline	1 business day
Min. credit score	300

Credit union Christmas loans

Many credit unions have seasonal Christmas loans with low, fixed rates. For example, Money Federal Credit Union offers $1,500 loans with 4.99% APR and a 12-month repayment term. 

Check with your local credit unions to shop for the best deal. You can also search for credit unions with employment-based membership criteria, like Teachers Federal Credit Union in New York and U.S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union. These credit unions often have similar Christmas loans with generous terms. 

If you need a couple hundred dollars: Holiday cash advances

Cash advances let you borrow money from your paycheck before payday. The borrowing limits are usually low, and you have to pay back the loan with money from your next paycheck.

It’s helpful if you need a couple hundred dollars for Christmas gifts or hosting, but it won’t cover the entire holiday season.

Cash advances are also helpful if you have bad credit because they usually don’t require a credit check. They do, however, often require you to receive regular income via direct deposit.

EarnIn

<strong>Best Overall</strong>

4.9 _/5

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

Earnin is our top pick for cash advance apps because you get the money fast and the borrowing limit is high enough to help with unexpected gifts, hosting, or a family meal.

Our tester was able to advance $100 to themselves with no fees. Plus, it only took 8 minutes to receive the funds since new users get one Lightning Speed transfer for free. 

• No monthly subscription fee
• No fee for advances of earned wages
• Excellent customer support
• Quick delivery

• Max. advance is on the lower end

Monthly fees	None
Max. advance	Up to $300/day and $1,000/pay period
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Timeline	1 – 3 business days or 30 minutes with a fee

Dave

<strong>Best for Small Advances</strong>

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

Dave‘s $500 borrowing limit sets it apart as a top cash advance pick. You can’t borrow the maximum amount right away. But if you can plan your Christmas spending in advance, it’s a great option. Dave’s fee is also much lower than other options.

• High advance limit
• Low monthly fee
• Free delivery is quicker than average

• Can’t access maximum advance right away
• Service fee of up to 5%

Monthly fees	$1/month
Max. advance	$500
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Timeline	2 – 3 days or within minutes with a fee

Cleo

Best Gamified Advances

4.0 _/5

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

You can borrow up to $250 with Cleo as a short-term cash advance and set the repayment date. After you download the app and create an account, you can pick your membership tier. Expect to spend between $1.99 and $14.99 per month.

You can’t borrow a ton of money, but it might be a cheaper than other options.

• No credit check
• Interest-free advances
• Available for freelancers and gig workers

• Monthly subscription fee
• Small cash advance amounts
• Takes time to get funds

Monthly fees	$1.99 – $14.99/month
Max. advance	$250
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Timeline	3 – 4 days or within minutes with a fee

If you need to finance one large purchase: Buy now, pay later

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is short-term financing that lets you pay for large purchases over time. It’s free as long as you pay on time. But the fees can add up if you miss a payment.

Affirm

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

Affirm partners with Apple Pay so you can use it to pay at almost any retailer. It’s one of the most accessible BNPL options and a solid pick if you need to buy a few last-minute holiday purchases.

Repayment options	Pay-in-4 or monthly (with interest)
Fees	None
Max. purchase amount	$30,000
Credit check?	Soft check only, good credit recommended
Interest rate	0% – 36% APR

Sezzle

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Why it’s an option for a Christmas loan

Sezzle is our top pick for in-person purchases during the holidays. Some stores, like Jersey Mike’s and Abercrombie, partner with Sezzle so it appears as a payment option at checkout. 

Repayment options	Pay-in-2, Pay-in-4, monthly (with interest), in full
Fees	Late fee: Up to 25%; Service fee: Up to $7.49
Max. purchase amount	Varies
Credit check?	Soft check only, good credit recommended
Interest rate	0% – 34.99%

Christmas loans to avoid

These Christmas loan options can add long-term financial stress to your new year. The loans’ sky-high interest rates, excessive fees, and aggressive collection tactics aren’t worth it.

Title loans

A title car loan is a short-term borrowing option that requires your car as collateral. You usually need to repay the loan—plus interest and fees—within 15 or 30 days. It’s an expensive loan, and you can lose ownership of your car if you don’t pay on time.  

Payday loans

Payday loans are short-term, high-interest loans with payment due on your next payday. The loans are usually for $500 or less. Fees cost up to $30 per $100 borrowed, which equals an interest rate of 400%. 

Which type of loan for Christmas shopping is right for you?

Below is a quick guide to help you match your situation to the right type of holiday financing.

Your situation	Best option	Why it fits
You have decent or good credit and need $1,000+	Personal loan	Highest borrowing limits, predictable payments, fast funding. Good if you want to spread payments over months.
You have bad credit or thin credit and just need a small amount	Cash advance apps	No credit check and quick access to a few hundred dollars. Works if you have steady income and just need to bridge the gap until payday.
You’re buying one big item (electronics, travel, appliances)	Buy now, pay later	Lets you split one purchase into smaller payments. Often 0% interest if you pay on time.
You need funds today	Cash advance apps with instant delivery	Lightning-speed or instant transfer options (for a fee) make them the fastest choice.
You need the lowest possible monthly payment	Personal loan	Longer repayment terms mean lower monthly payments—even if the total cost is higher.
You’re a gig worker or freelancer	Cleo or BNPL	Cleo allows gig-worker income, and BNPL doesn’t require traditional paystubs.
You want to avoid interest completely	BNPL Pay-in-4 options	Short, 0% interest installments—just avoid late fees.
You need to compare options quickly	Credible marketplace	One form gives you multiple offers, saving time during holiday crunch.
You only need $50–$200 for small gifts or hosting costs	EarnIn or Cleo cash advance	Low borrowing limits but perfect for small, last-minute expenses.
You want to avoid credit checks altogether	Cash advance apps	Cash advances rely on income, not credit scores.

My first piece of advice—don’t borrow money to pay for Christmas gifts. Remember, your loved ones don’t love you for the stuff you give them. They love you for you! If you must give gifts, can you get creative and avoid the overspend or borrowing? Go to the thrift store. Make a handmade gift. Better yet, how about an invitation to an event—even Friday morning coffee and a bagel treat. That gives them time with you and a treat to look forward to and schedule.

Alternatives to Christmas loans

If a Christmas loan isn’t an option this year, these organizations might be able to help you find resources. 

Contact your school district

School districts usually have information about local food baskets, gift drives, and other free ways to make the holidays brighter for your family. Some districts also host gift and food drives for families. Start by contacting the principal or counselor at your kids’ school.   

Call 2-1-1

211 is a network that connects people to local resources and services, including food, gifts, and bills. It’s the quickest way to find out about what free assistance is available in your community. 

If you’re a responsible credit user, I’ve seen clients accumulate their credit card points and then redeem them in December to help pay for their seasonal shopping.

Recap: Best options when you need a loan for Christmas