The holidays are here, and while you’re busy decking the halls and stuffing stockings, you might have forgotten your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
If you’ve got funds left over, it’s time to put them to good use—or risk losing them altogether!
From stocking stuffers to snowball fight survival kits, this FSA-approved guide will help you add a little festive flair (and practicality) to the season.
1. It’s Christmas Time… There’s No Need to Be Afraid..
You tried to make a Pinterest-worthy charcuterie board, but now there’s a cheese knife incident. Or maybe you attempted one of those TikTok DIY wrapping hacks, and got the papercut from hell.
Either way, someone’s going to need a Band-Aid.
• Approved items: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads.
• Not approved: Your mother-in-law’s unsolicited critiques of your “rustic” wrapping job.
2. Heating Pads for ‘Fowl’ Injuries
Every family has an uncle who claims sitting through a 3-hour football game “was exhausting.”
Or maybe it’s you, pulling a muscle lifting a 37-lb turkey out of the deep freezer.
Either way, having one of these on hand can ease that back pain that you definitely didn’t understand until you turned 30.
• Approved items: Heating pads, reusable heat wraps, topical pain relief.
• Not approved: Using “football fatigue” as a reason to skip post-dinner cleanup.
(PS: if you haven’t already gotten it out, you’re probably eating undercooked turkey.)
3. Nasal Strips: The Gift of Silent Nights
Maybe it was the tryptophan. Maybe it was the third round of pie. If snoring turns into a literal sleep soundtrack, save yourself the noise-cancelling headphone purchase with nasal strips—your ears will thank you.
• Approved items: Nasal strips, saline sprays, humidifiers.
• Not approved: Bringing up your wife’s snoring in the family group chat.
4. Sunscreen for Snowbirds
Because nothing says #NoRagrets like coming back from your tropical escape looking like the honey-baked ham. Pack SPF, and if you must tan, do it the Luther Krank way. #freefrosty
• Approved items: Sunscreen, SPF lip balm, aloe vera.
• Not approved: Posting your Tahiti pics on Instagram. We don’t want to see that when it’s 5 degrees.
5. Cold Packs for Snowball Fails
It starts as a fun snowball fight, and then the guy who “would have gone pro” takes it too far. Cold packs are here for all the “oops” moments.
• Approved items: Reusable cold packs, instant ice packs.
• Not approved: Using the snowball fight as an excuse to relive your high school varsity glory days.
6. Thermometers for Holiday Hypochondria
Someone always has “flu-like symptoms” because they Googled “can eggnog give you salmonella.” A high quality thermometer can help you decide if it’s the ‘meat sweats’, or something worse.
• Approved items: Digital thermometers, forehead thermometers.
• Not approved: Giving medical advice you got on TikTok
7. Contact Lens Solution for Clear(er) Vision
Between blurry holiday lights and trying to read the fine print on the gift receipts, vision clarity is key. Plus, you’ll need to see clearly to catch Cousin Andy cheating at Uno again.
• Approved items: Contact lens solution, eye drops, glasses repair kits.
• Not approved: Pretending to squint just to avoid the family photo.
8. Over-the-Counter Medications for Festive Indulgence
Whether it’s “one more round of eggnog” or Aunt Debbie’s insistence that you try her “improved” casserole, you’re going to need reinforcements. Enter antacids, your unsung holiday hero.
• Approved items: Antacids, allergy meds, pain relievers.
• Not approved: Wrapping these as a “white elephant” gift. Unless you really want to start a fight.
Friendly Reminder
Just like the half-eaten candy cane the kids left on the floor of the car, your FSA funds won’t stick around forever.
From first-aid mishaps to snowball battles, there’s an FSA-approved item for every holiday situation.
Spend smart, stay festive, and make adulting during the holidays a little easier.
