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Parenting after 35
thumper57
member
how much do you spend on your LO's gifts. What do you think is too much
thumper57
member
I am not getting my 6month dd anything since she does not know about xmas yet. DS did not get gifts when he was that age either.
DS is almost 3 and he's gotten a power wheels escalade truck from dad already (over $300) plus he will be getting some smaller gifts from relatives. He will also get a couple of smaller gifts from "santa". He's been asking for a kitchen. The one I like it's $180 (on sale from $270 and has free shipping) . Maybe just me but I feel like it's a lot to spend on him since he already got the truck , although I'd love for him to have the kitchen. I'll prob end up getting it anyway but I feel a little guilty . Normally one big gift is enough and leave it at that, but he asks for the kitchen every day and I'll enjoy watching him play with it.
Just curious about how much others will spend on their LO.
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Re: how much do you spend on your LO's gifts. What do you think is too much
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
If you are well off and can afford to spend that, I see no issue. I understand that there are people who can splurge and spoil their LOs a bit during the holidays. No judgment here... I say go for it, if you can comfortably afford it.
As for what I'M spending this year...
DH and I have 6 nieces and nephews. They don't understand that their aunt and uncle are broke this year. So even though we are, we bought them all presents within a $15-20 range. We bought our DS two small gifts, both @ $10 each. That's it. He's only 15 months and will get gifts from family. But even if he didn't, he wouldn't know he was supposed to get Hanukkah presents.
I also bought a gift for my BFF's daughter, who will turn 5 on the 10th. It's a combo Hanukkah/Birthday present, and my friend has been very good to me and my DS. So I spent a bit more on her ($25). I think the total I'll spend during the holidays will be $200. I don't have the $200, but I'm dipping into our meager savings for this.
Bronx Zoo: Summer 2013
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DS was 6 months old last Christmas and we spent around $100 - that included his little Radio Flyer wagon thingy and a few smaller gifts. We'll actually be spending less on him this year because we don't have any big things we need to buy him right now and he won't remember it anyway.
Like the other's have said, it depends on circumstance. We're relatively well off, but no so well off that we can buy DS a bunch of stuff just for the sake of spending money on him.
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We're not sure how much we're spending yet. We'll be at my Mom's, so any big stuff would have to wait until we can get it home anyway.
About the kitchen... I'd do it. Is it the only thing he's been asking for? Is his birthday too far away? You could have him dictate a letter to Santa, and see how that goes...
We do not spend more than $100 per each kid (SD - 23, SS - 15 and DD - 23 mo). We do it because we focus on the religious aspects of Christmas (so much easier here in Germany, where there are no tv commercials).
We also do it because SS is born at the end of Oct, DH is born in the middle of Nov, SD and DD are born in the beginnig of Jan and both sets of siblings are born w/in 40 days of Christmas.
WE WOULD BE BROKE IF WE DID NOT TEMPER OUR SPENDAGE.
That being said, we spend about $200 - $250 on the b-day gifst for the kids - dependent on what their NEEDS are (though our definition of needs differs sometimes.
I don't have a set amount, but I know we're going to keep the number of gifts in check. I've already gotten him a small wooden puzzle, and I'm still thinking about a nice wagon, which is pretty pricey.
I'll throw my favorite new quote out there again: "Jesus only got three gifts!"
We are not spending much - we have something like $30 in gifts picked out for DD. She has lots of toys and books already and gets plenty of gifts from our families. We bought her a toddler bed for about $85, which we are counting as is sort of a Christmas gift as well.
My honest opinion is that over $500 and two really significant gifts is a lot for a three year old for one holiday, but in reality, too much is more than you can afford. If you can truly afford the kitchen, why not get it? If it is a great deal that you don't want to miss, and you feel like it is too much for Christmas, can you get it and put it aside until his birthday?
Why do you feel guilty? Would you be spending money that you don't have? Do you feel badly that Dad got him an expensive gift and you haven't?
If you can't swing the kitchen, maybe go to the dollar store and get him some cheap measuring spoons, cups, bowls, etc. I know they won't be child-sized, but he will still have fun with them. Can you give him some space in one of your kitchen cabinets and he can "help" you in the kitchen? Maybe you can use the boxes from the power wheels truck and other gifts and build a kitchen with your son which would be fun and a great learning experience for him.
my husband and I can afford it but I am frugal by nature. I grew up poor - my parents were divorced and my mother refused to go on welfare and worked 4 jobs to support the kids.
I feel guilty because I want my son to have good values so I don't want to contribute to him being spoiled.
to be honest, I did not consent to dad's gift because i thought it was too extravagant. my son will be as happy with a $30 gift as much as he is happy with a $300 dollar gift.My husband ordered it on the sly after I already said no. when it arrived it caused a huge argument, I said don't open the box and that I would return it. my husband apologized to me for going over my head and said please & that he really wanted our son to have it. So I gave in to my husband when I saw how much it would mean to him.
The kitchen I see as an educational gift If my son didn't get the escalade, I would for sure have purchased the kitchen already.
That makes sense, I understand your reasoning. Even if you have the money, if you feel that it's overboard for Christmas, then you maybe you should hold back. Would you consider getting him the kitchen "just because" in a couple of months?
That said, even though we are broke (or will be in about a month when I no longer have a job unless I find one by then) I will probably spend about $100 on DD. But there are other factors that help keep that number down. The main thing is that her birthday was November 3, and she got a boatload of gifts both from us and from her birthday party, so she doesn't need another boatload of gifts for Christmas. Also, my parents have bought her the toy kitchen for Christmas, so that's off my plate.
Also, luckily, she loves the Teletubbies, and you can only get that stuff used. So I will get her a talking Tinky-Winky doll to complete her Teletubbies collection, and some Teletubbies books. I will also try to find a reasonably-priced toy stroller, since she's outgrown the old one, some toy kitchen accessories that I saw at Costco for around $20, and maybe a Tinkerbell doll.
What about something like this for the kitchen- https://mirandawalker.blogspot.com/2010/02/play-kitchen-diy.html
Super cute and pretty inexpensive....
DH and I are spending $100 on each other, $50 each on L and $10-15 on each of the siblings, nieces and nephews. I took a ton of pictures of each family and we ordered photobooks from Artscow.com (20 page 6x6 book for $3.99 shipped with code 6x6books). The kids will get stockings full of little toys and treats, the adult couples will get a photo book and a tin of cookies/goodies.
Really, whatever is comfortable for your family is fine. There are times we've spent next to nothing and times we've had higher budgets, all that really matters is that everyone knows we love them and are thinking of them!