Christmas how much do you spend?

canadianttc1st · December 2014

I live in an oil town and am part of a FB mommy chat group for the area, someone asked a question the other day of how much everyone spends per kid on gifts. I couldn't believe the responses, the general answer was $500+ I personally spent $150-200 on ds and feel that he is getting spoiled.

Just curious to see if it's just my area that spends so much and I'm an odd duckling or if it is that's common to spend that much.

jamiesc58 · December 2014

$500??? That is crazy! I have 2 children, 2 nieces, and my husband that I have bought for so far and have only spent about $450. Even that felt like a lot to me because most of their things were on super sale Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

lcole08 · December 2014

I don't know if it is as much as an area vs just differences in families. SIL & BIL spend $1000+ on each kid (3 teenage kids) where we don't usually spend more than $200. My kids are small, need nothing and don't know any different. Even when they are older I can't see us spending that much.
ETA: we are in the same area as SIL&BIL

Ginja85 · December 2014

I get my dog a snack & a toy every year so maybe $15 tops. Post baby I'll probably be my same cheap self; $20 at the dollar store buys a bunch of shit that kids forget about in a week anyway. High school age kids I can somewhat understand $500 in the form of electronics & car repairs but, no you want expensive shit get a job (my moms favorite line).

littlewest1 · December 2014

We got DD (18 months) a vanity for her room and a kitchen table/chairs set so kind of bigger items. She'll get a few puzzles and books as well. I'm not big on useless toys but don't mind spending more on quality items that will grow with her. We'll probably spend $350-$400 this year.

ally3242 · December 2014

DS is still so small, he doesn't really understand it all, so we don't spend a lot on him. I bet I spent $100 on his gifts. I know my parents and DHs parents went apeshit crazy buying him gifts, so we decided not to. In general, we spend about $1200 total on gifts each year.

be888 · December 2014

DS is getting a wood train set, books and clothing. We are probably going to spend about $100.

specialsn0wflake · December 2014

100 each for our two kids (3 and 6). That may change when their older for for the foreseeable future it's 100. We follow the one thing they want, one thing they need, one thing they wear, one thing they read. It's working great for us.

miahbelle · December 2014

Last year we spent about $40 maybe on DS for Christmas and roughly the same for his birthday. We also only spent about $25 on each other. We are poor. I can't imagine having enough to spend $500 on anyone.

somewheresublime86 · December 2014

We probably spend about $1000 each year on gifts for one another, immediate family, and our secret Santa gifts for our larger extended family events. That also includes gifts that we purchase and donate to a charity that we like to support.

Once we add the little dude into the mix, we'll get him a few things, but I don't plan on going crazy. I have a feeling he'll be pretty content to play with wrapping paper the first year. Plus, the grandmas will spoil him plenty.

lindsayanne14 · December 2014

We planned to spend about $100 on DS (he's 16 months). We are pretty conservative Xmas spenders in general. Aside from a toy and a game everything else DS got he needed anyway, I'm just wrapping it!

xuxachi · December 2014

I think I spent about $150 on DS last year -- DD only about $25 - and was only 6 mos. I can see spending a bit more as they get older, but they will never get the crazy kind of gifts that ppl around me do. My DS was so happy with one present for his birthday. He doesn't know any different.

Duffgurl · December 2014

For me it's hard to say because I buy throughout the years and specific sale times during the year.

miahbelle · December 2014

fabledmabel said:
$500 seems excessive. Unless you're paying for college application fees to ten different schools. Merry Christmas, move out!

We've already decided to do the "something to wear, something to read, something they want, something they need" system for Christmases, so hopefully we're able to keep it under $100 per kid. ATM we budget $15 per family member and buy for 11 people, we send one international gift to my sister & her husband in Germany (shipping is on top of the $15 for that), plus we send out Christmas cards & letters; that usually adds another $30 to $50. We stick $25 in the Christmas envelope every month to make sure we have enough to cover everything and get a Christmas tree and two new ornaments.This Christmas we spent under budget so we will have extra when we travel to my grandparents' for the holiday.

Love this idea!

livrobb · December 2014

DD is 19 mths and we spent about $200 on her. Last year we spent maybe $75.,

wolowizard · December 2014

I haven't had to buy for a child yet (this is my first) but since my husband's pay decreases in the winter time because of the type of work he does, we've started a savings account (our credit union calls it a Holiday Club) where I'm saving $25/biweekly out of my check. November 1 we'll have over $500. There's no way I'm spending that much money on a 9 month old baby, but I wanted to get used to saving that amount for years to come. I figure with that we can buy each other presents too! Which is something we usually forgo because of the pay decrease and just do stockings which is mostly candy.

ETA: On our parents we usually buy them presents that cost about $20 each and we don't buy for anyone else. This year I made them photo books of our wedding album which I got on sale at Walgreen's for $18/each.

bowman958 · December 2014

I don't like this question. Why does it matter what other people do? This is one of those places where comparison will lead you to feel judged or to judge others, IMO. Different people have different budgets and different philosophies. Do your thing and don't feel bad about it, and let others do the same.

pepperjack76 · December 2014

DS is 16 months and we spent about $200. For my two step daughters who are 15 and 17, we spent about $150.

Sharon&Paul · December 2014

We have three kids (6, 4, and 2). We try to keep it to under $100 per kid, We don't buy each other gifts, just stocking stuffers. So maybe $20-$30 on each other. We spend $25-$50 on each of our parents. We also have three nieces and two nephews. We keep their gifts to $20-$30. Our total is probably around $600.

catlover790 · December 2014

I agree with the idea that this question really depends on people's income, lifestyle, etc. I feel like it's so variable.

Maybe the people who spend 500+ don't spend much during the year and like to do all their spending on their children at Christmas. Maybe those who spend less do more traveling or spend more on back to school clothes. I just think it really depends on the family and shouldn't really have an impact on what other people do.

kier23 · December 2014

We spend about 300 at least on my step son this year is still about that amount but since he is getting higher priced items he's not getting very much from us....i see us doing the same for this one as well but I also shop all year round.

fiscally3 · December 2014

We do $150 for our 1 and 3 year old. Honestly, its abut $120 towards gifts from us & their sibling, and $30 for santa. This year we did the something you want, need, wear, read thing. I added share. They both had their birthdays in the last few month so I don't feel the need to go crazy. With the one year old I could've cut back, but I like to keep things even as possible.

I think once they get older we will have to increase our budget, my brothers love video games, and most of those run about $50/game for the newer systems.

I think its a matter of income and priorities. I have friends who both work and spend a ton on their kids (some of them easily spent just on Matilda Jane clothes what we spend for all of Christmas and have made it clear that they are over $500 for their 1 & 3 year olds). Also how good you are at budgeting and saving, amount of other people you have to buy for, and expectations from your childhood really effects what you spend too.

One of my friends posted on facebook at Easter that she couldn't believe kids in her area had Easter wishlists, that included things like an iPod touch. She never thought of Easter as a gift giving holiday. (Neither do I, so I was equally surprised at the idea). So everyone is different.

One of the best phrases I heard at an event I was volunteering at "This is the right thing for our family at this time." It doesn't matter what your family & neighbors are doing, just what works best for you.

mhickey426 · December 2014

We spent about 150 to 250 per person this year. we need to cut it back but always spend to much. Parents all got tix to a Broadway play and dinner. Nieces got toys, BIL gift card for a massage and a lil something else. My Dh and dd had more speant on them then everyone else. My Dh is the one that really goes over the top this time of year but it's ok. I would rather get them all (the adults) something they will love and enjoy then another shirt. The kids r only this age for a little time so we do spoils them a little at Christmas but it's only once a year.

picklesx · December 2014

Uhhh. I spent about $35 on 3 gifts for DS (2.5 years old). He is getting two toys and winter hat/glove set. Sure, I could afford to spend much more, but I wasn't raised receiving tons and tons of gifts during holidays so buying more for him than that just seems exorbitant to me.

scaggsed · December 2014

I don't have kids yet, but I can't see spending more than $75 until they're old enough to know what's going on (unless the presents for them are also for me, like cute clothes).
We spend about $25 each on my sister, BIL, their spouses, their kids, and also on my aunt, uncle, and cousin.
My MIL spends a ton on Christmas, so her and my FIL usually get nicer gifts. We try to do something nice for my parents because they help us out a lot during the year. And they are impossible to shop for.

ETA: with my DH we have been getting a big 'gift' together the past couple years. Furniture or something for the house. And about $30 each on fun Christmas morning stocking stuff.

dmama0177 · December 2014

Just my husband and I for now so we set a budget of $400 on each other this year.

kerimontanye · December 2014

We spend a lot on our 3 kids (3,4,10). I think after toys, books, clothes, we spent about $700. But we also spent the same amount buying toys for kids in need. I don't think that there is a set amount to spend. You spend what you're comfortable with. I also make my 10 year old save his money throughout the year to buy what video games or movies he wants.

OliveMom3 · December 2014

We are spending about $250 on Ds and he's 15 months old but that includes swimming lessons at $120 for the session.

ElizabethSwann · December 2014

I don't really want to add it up.

nutrishus · December 2014

We usually spend around $1000 on each kid (3 teens) but this year we took a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway and they had their own room and $500 each spending cash so this year they are getting a $500 limit each . I think we spend way to much anyway but SO says they are good kids and he likes having a big Christmas . Hoping this year he can keep to the budget cause the cruise was close to $10k

karboss · December 2014

We have been on a tight budget saving for our new house. We budget faithfully EVERY month. We looked at what we spent last year on the 5 nieces and nephews, parents (2 sets) grand parents, family grab bag, siblings, co-workers, etc. we then divided by 12 months and put that way with an additional $20 per month cushion. It hurt a lot less this way. We also don't buy gifts for each other except new Christmas PJs usually from Wamart or something. Nothing crazy. It's tradition started by my mom when we were kids and I just cannot let it go. Instead, we just look at groupon and choose a B&B to book for a night in February for our anniversary. Last year my parents got us a second night so we were able to make a weekend out of it. This year we decided to spend less than last year and are taking the extra to put aside for some baby essentials. I love the idea of 1 gift to read, wear, want, need. I *REALLY* love the idea of adding the share when we have another baby. I'm hoping to add the donate a few toys to charity each year to make some space and stay in the spirit of giving.

kamomo1 · December 2014

I don't think it matters how much you spend. It's about the gift or spending time with family. Every family is different on what they can spend. My husband and I decided we are going to do a stocking every year(his parents still do, so we are keeping that tradition) usually inside is candy, random things, and your ornament( another IL tradition.) So when the baby comes we will decide what theme we will be going with, DH collects
nutcrackers, SIL collects precious moments, I receive willow tree. Then something for the kid to open. The night before they will get new pjs and a Christmas book to read or a movie that we will watch/read as a family.

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