5KidzRUs Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 If you celebrate Christmas - how much are you spending on your children for Christmas gifts this year? Does $200 per person sound reasonable for all teen or adult children? It sounds reasonable to me - but when I times it by 8 people it seems like a lot ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We will probably spend in the $150-200 range for each of our girls this year. In the past few years, money has been tighter and then we spent well under $100 per girl. I only have two girls though. We couldn't afford to spend like that if we have too many more kiddos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) $20-$30 each Edited November 28, 2011 by Tutor Answered beyond the question asked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5KidzRUs Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 We have always spent $100 each, or given them $100 to spend on what they wanted. I always thought we spent FAR less than others on gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockey Mom Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We are blessed to be able to finally save enough money for a wooden swing set for our boys. They have been begging for a fort ever since they watched The Lil' Rascals, and this swing set has a quasi-fort included. It was $200 less at Toys R Us than Walmart, so we ordered it. We have a friend who is going to put it together for us while we're working, and we plan on getting a huge tarp to 'wrap' it in for Christmas morning. The rest of their presents will be LOTS of little boxes that will contain clues; all leading to the backyard. ETA: My boys have never had a swing set and this is going to be HUGE for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We spend what we can reasonably afford, not what seems like a reasonable amount to spend, if that makes sense. We don't overspend per our budget, though many people would probably say we spend too much. We have an only child with a Christmas birthday. He doesn't receive gifts from extended family, so what we buy is basically all he gets. It is our one big indulgence a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We've got money this year. We have 2 boys. We're spending between $200-$250 each. OP, I think it's only too much if you think it is. Money spending is very subjective. Lots of people won't spend as much as you, lots will spend double or triple that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We get three gifts for the kids. I generally try not to spend more than $50-$75 for them. That includes stocking stuffers. One year I actually only spent a tolto of $60 for both of them. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We spent about $350 for the 3 of them, but that doesn't include the puppy we are getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I haven't added it up, in part because we haven't finalized the list yet. But, roughing it out, I'm guessing about $300 for each kid. That does include some things that we would likely buy for them, anyway, that will go under the tree (clothing, books, etc.). We've spent less in other years, more in a couple of years. We don't buy anything we can't afford, and we don't go into debt for holiday spending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweiss Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We don't set a budget, and I don't really keep track of what I spend. I just try to keep it roughly even between the two kids. I know that we spend a lot more than many people, but we only have two children and we can afford it. I think you need to base your budget on what you comfortably can afford. The range of incomes on this board is likely huge, so what one person is comfortable might not work for you. In general, however, I do think that $200 per kid sounds reasonable (to me) if you are comfortable with that amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We are spending about $100 - 150 on each of them. However, this was a good year financially. In other years we have spent far, far less and we enjoyed it just as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5KidzRUs Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 I haven't added it up, in part because we haven't finalized the list yet. But, roughing it out, I'm guessing about $300 for each kid. That does include some things that we would likely buy for them, anyway, that will go under the tree (clothing, books, etc.). We've spent less in other years, more in a couple of years. We don't buy anything we can't afford, and we don't go into debt for holiday spending. Excellent!! Not to go I debt buying gifts. I also put only list essentials, like a Columbia Parka for my coatless son ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Too much. We bought oldest tickets to Kelly Clarkson (the only thing she is getting). So the others are benefiting so we can keep them all comparable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5KidzRUs Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 We don't set a budget, and I don't really keep track of what I spend. I just try to keep it roughly even between the two kids. I know that we spend a lot more than many people, but we only have two children and we can afford it. I think you need to base your budget on what you comfortably can afford. The range of incomes on this board is likely huge, so what one person is comfortable might not work for you. In general, however, I do think that $200 per kid sounds reasonable (to me) if you are comfortable with that amount. Edelweiss! Coincidence that part of my Christmas gift to the boys this year is a ski trip to Edelweiss! I have never been there but I hear a lot about it :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurtis75 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We are spending about $100 - 150 on each of them. However, this was a good year financially. In other years we have spent far, far less and we enjoyed it just as much. This is usually what we spend on dd but she's an only so I don't think it's reasonable to compare with someone who has 8:lol: we have always tried to limit the number of presents/toys dd gets but extended family doesn't listen very well. This year I want to get her an iPad but dh is making us wait until after Christmas because he thinks $399 is a ridiculous amount for a Christmas present but it's okay as a school supply. We have siblings who either make significantly less money or have way more kids so we try to be considerate of that and not over do the spending. We generally open gifts with my family and his family gets lots of pictures so we would never let her open an iPad in front of family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela in GA Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I think it sounds reasonable. That is pretty much what we spend on our kids. It is a bit of a stretch, but honestly, things are so expensive these days, it's just how it is. We make do. No debt for Christmas presents though. lol. I buy things for the kids that I would buy anyway. Like clothing. Especially for the teenagers. I may splurge and buy a piece of clothing that is a bit more expensive than I normally would buy. My kids only have one set of grandparents that buy for them though. The other 2 pretty much only buy for the grandkids that live in the same state as them. Stinks. My brother may buy them something small, but they'll get nothing from any of my husbands siblings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 $20-$30 each yup, as little as possible here. It's a huge change from previous years when we've budgeted $75 each. MIL has me doing her shopping so it's fun there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mycalling Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We're spending $800 for the 8 of them, but that's not $100 per child. The olders are getting roughly $150 each and the youngers between $20-80 each. I just couldn't find anything but junk for the little ones and they only wanted a few small things each. My mil wanted a list for the kids and so I gave her most of the ideas the children had given me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 He doesn't receive gifts from extended family, so what we buy is basically all he gets. My kids only have one set of grandparents that buy for them though. That's a factor here, too. My kids have no grandparents. My husband's parents have both passed on, and my family hasn't been in our lives in about 20 years. They have three uncles, but only one is stable. And that one is military. So, there's not a lot of gifting from extended family. What we buy is what they get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I'll probably be spending about $100 for two boys. Dh and I decided last night that our Christmas present will be a scanner and printer that we need for homeschooling, and we'll get more fun stuff when we file our taxes in February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancypantsgirl Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Four boys = $150 total They will be shared gifts. I may grab a few little stocking stuffers but nothing else that adds up to real $. We are barely getting by so this is already quite a stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 If you celebrate Christmas - how much are you spending on your children for Christmas gifts this year?Does $200 per person sound reasonable for all teen or adult children? It sounds reasonable to me - but when I times it by 8 people it seems like a lot ... We have found that the older they get, the more we spend. It used to be that we could spend $50 per child and get plenty of stuff. Now that they're older and their wish lists include iPods and other electronic gadgets, it costs a lot more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisbeth Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I usually spend $400 per child, and we have 4 kids. I notice a lot of people do this differently, but our presents to the kids do NOT include essentials we would buy them anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I don't really keep track. They all get a bigger present- or two smaller presents and usually they get clothes and the girls also get some jewelry. If they weren't getting Christmas presents, they would still get the clothes. We don't go into debt but what I did do, for example, is bought my middle's big present in October. Now for youngest, I am having to decide when she gets what- she has a birthday about ten days before Xmas and so does dh (about 2 weeks before). So for them, and also for me, (approx. 3 weeks after XMAS), is what does everyone give them for Christmas and for their birthday. My youngest has the following three presents she will get- hamster cage, set-up, and later hamsters (she has had them before but gave them away because we were moving and it is hard to move them); a new desktop computer; and what I think is called Plantation shutters. She has the one bedroom with only blinds and she doesn't like blinds. All of the other bedrooms have great inside shutters. She really wants that too. I am not sure whether my oldest will be home for Christmas. He will be getting a hard drive, magazine, teaching company course, and probably a gift card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezus Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 About $60 for the one kiddo left at home, some of which will be a few clothing necessities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zookeeper Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Our bigger ones will probably be about $150 and the younger ones about $50. I don't like to get stuff just to have.....well, stuff. The older kids are getting some electronic gadgets and the littles will most likely get consumable stuff like art things. They go through so much of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwickimom Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Sounds reasonable. For us we spent a total probably about $600 for all 3, but that's not all actual cash. I saved up rebate money all year ($200) did MyPoints and got gift cards ($100), and we save up points on our Cabelas credit card to use on gifts ($300). We used cash for family gifts and gifts for a few friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I used to do $100 for all Christmas but have went up in the past few years. This year for ds it will be about $75, dd1 $75 and $25 for dd2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I usually spend $400 per child, and we have 4 kids. I notice a lot of people do this differently, but our presents to the kids do NOT include essentials we would buy them anyway. We don't do essentials for Christmas either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweiss Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 We don't do essentials for Christmas either. Neither do we. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 enough. :D What we can afford, not over budget, not into debt. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocelyne Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 (edited) We are very blessed financially, but I refuse to go overboard with Christmas just because we can. This year I am using the poem 'Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read' as my guide. Parker is very, very excited about this and insists that we all use the poem! So 4 gifts from us in these categories, something from baby brother, a gift from Santa (actually two, but they go together), and a stocking of fun. Roughly the same as we did last year, but with a twist to make it easier for me. As for actual amounts I don't really look at cost so much as value & quality. If I know it will be loved and used and it will be long lasting I am willing to invest. Edited November 29, 2011 by Jocelyne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 (edited) I notice a lot of people do this differently, but our presents to the kids do NOT include essentials we would buy them anyway. Same here. We don't do clothes for Christmas. Clothes are necessities, and in our family, Christmas is for luxuries. Now, in their stockings, they might get pencils, disposable shavers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, even underwear & t-shirts (we have HUGE stockings), etc. But also in their stockings, Santa leaves candy, gum, CD's, DVD's, small craft kits, make-up, cologne, etc. Edited December 1, 2011 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat19 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 We set aside $100 for each kid. The older ones knows it won't stretch as far for them. This does not include their stockings(don't know what I'm buying for those yet). We have 3 other places to go so my kids get plenty at Christmas time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 In years past it's been about $60 each. This year it's not so much about the amount of money, but about stuff. I'm so sick of all the stuff. So, each child is getting a book, an article of clothing and a toy. From us. They will still get quite a haul when you add in both sets of grandparents, cousins, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 I usually spend $400 per child, and we have 4 kids. I notice a lot of people do this differently, but our presents to the kids do NOT include essentials we would buy them anyway. I'm guessing a lot of people buy their kids "essentials" for Christmas because they don't have the money to buy them the rest of the year either. When your kids are in need of essentials that you don't have the money to buy it seems silly to spend the money on luxeries -why would you spend your limited money buying your kid a toy when they don't have a warm jacket for winter KWIM. Considering you spend $400 per kid - I'm guessing your finances are good and your kids are not already going without the essentials through the year. Not picking on you -just explaining why some buy things that might not be so fun at Christmas- if you can't afford the essentials throughout the year Christmas is a great tme to buy things that are needed if the alternative is going without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrspoch Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 We are very blessed financially, but I refuse to go overboard with Christmas just because we can. This year I am using the poem 'Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read' as my guide. Parker is very, very excited about this and insists that we all use the poem! So 4 gifts from us in these categories, something from baby brother, a gift from Santa (actually two, but they go together), and a stocking of fun. Roughly the same as we did last year, but with a twist to make it easier for me. As for actual amounts I don't really look at cost so much as value & quality. If I know it will be loved and used and it will be long lasting I am willing to invest. That is really cool! I may have to borrow that next year ... this year is already done. I think we spent about $150 on our only child this year. But that is very atypical. We were blessed this year as DH got a new job and has been getting a lot of overtime. Both sets of grandparents buy gifts and I also have some extended family that will buy for DS. We usually don't have to get very much. Of course, the older he gets the more expensive it becomes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I think I am going to spend about $100 per kid I think. We just got back from a Disney vacation and I had $300 Disney dollars from gifts and my Disney Visa, so I let them each buy a $100 Lego set at the Lego store if they agreed to PB&Js in the parks and not eating out. They agreed! So, they just got a big gift. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 This year we are spending a lot. Notice the "we" in that first sentence? When I say we like that my husband asks if I have a mouse in my pocket. I use Christmas to buy the kids things I want them to have, but wouldn't just get. I got each of the boys a Playmobile set. They are also getting nerf guns (from siblings), books, a puzzle and Your Story Hour CD's plus one or two small gifts each. They will like the books, puzzle and CD's but I bought them because I wanted them to have them, not because it is what they want. Dd8 is getting more stuff because she isn't getting a big set of anything. She is getting two $50ish dollar gifts and a detective kit full of stuff plus books, a puzzle and audio CD's like the boys. Baby is getting a train table and some odds and ends. We are also, as a family, getting a stack of games. I've spent a lot, but I've gotten almost everything on sale. The glaring exception being the exorbitantly expensive Playmobile sets. This isn't typical of our Christmas spending. Two years ago I also spent a lot. I've usually spent a lot less. It really depends on what I want the kids to have. For example, I wasn't intending to get Baby much of anything this year. I got the train table this year because I've always wanted one and I decided this was the year because the boys will still play with it, but they won't in a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Money is tighter than usual here so $200 each. In years past it would have been $400 each so this is about 1/2 of what I usually do. DD13 is getting more, but it is a laptop that she has saved 1/2 the money for. She is putting in $200, I am putting in $300 (matching her, and adding a warranty). I am also spending about $100 on some other items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misidawnrn Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 DD-8's American Girl doll was $65.00 new in box from EBay. I also bought her a pretty red crinoline dress and matching AG dress for $19.00. I made her clothes for the doll $7.00 and will buy her something to read. So less than $100. I made 2 yo's presents, all out of material I had in my sewing stash. A doctor at work is knitting her a sweater and I paid about $40 for the yarn and will get her something to read so less than $50.00 I have ni idea what to get my son but today he called and asked if I would crochet him and his daughter matching blankets. That will be about $100 together for the Lionbrand homespun yarn...gotta watch for coupons! My 2 step daughters always get $50.00 gift cards to a store in the mall because I can't shop for teenage girls. They love the cards and love picking what they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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