.

[Mom2apirate&princess]

We added it up last night and it was about $2900.
That was for the kids, dh, me, grandparents, my parents, the inlaws, my sister, bil and brother, and a family that we are spending Christmas with this year. That also includes our two angel tree kids, baking for dh's work, and teachers.

I spent a little more than I wanted, but it was all cash so that is good. I start very early and end up with a lot by the time Christmas gets here. I need to stop that I think.

 

[neatokimmo]

I totally understand how hard this time of year must be for you. I lost my mom one month ago today....you're spending money when you shouldn't, I've been eating when/what I shouldn't...its so hard blah.....I'm sorry for your loss

 

[disney1990]

Usually I spend around $1200. This year, being unemployed, I spent just about $600 - all cash.

 

[Minnie]

More than I would want to admit too

But worth way more than anything I could have ever purchased was the great news we received on my dad's health. We are so blessed this holiday season

 

[DisMomme]

Not so sure I really want to add it all up but here goes...

DH & Self - $1025 (Got a new washer and dryer on BF)
Kids - $770 (total for both and they each got a new laptop)
MIL/FIL - $30
Mom/Dad - $30
Nephews - $50
SIL - $25
BIL - $25
CoWorker - $30
Students - $45
Neighborhood Party - $35

I guess it wasn't too bad considering the big ticket items we got. The grand total is...$2070

 

[luvsJack]

well, santa has come and gone and I am headed to bed (dd will be up in a few hours to see what santa brought).

Just a quick ?: Everyone has added up what they spent this year. Anyone already thinking about what they will do different next year?

 

[phragmipedium]

More than in previous years, but I got a promotion and we were excited. We charged it all for ease, but it will all be paid off with no lingering bills at the first of the month.

It was about $1000 for 22 people, plus $220 for four angel tree tags.
And I think DH spent about $200 on me; I wouldn't pick out a big gift so he just kept buying things.

 

[tinkmom2]

I think I am going to do the same thing this next year as I did this year. I put things on layaway for my kids. I shopped in October and was done. I like not having to worry about what to get them and if I am breaking our budget. I spent about $450.00. That's for the 2 kids. My DH and I don't exchange(we went to WDW and on a cruise in November and that was enough!) and neither does his family with the grownups. (my SL was never happy with what I got her) My DH's parents are deceased and we only have my Mom to buy for. My Mom is in senior housing and on a fixed income. We don't expect her to go crazy on the kids. It's not all about what's under the tree anyway.
Here's some of the things we bought for the kids

A phone for my Mom (she says she never got our call lol)
Woody, Buzz, Hammy, and an assortment of other TS characters
Littlest Pet Shop play set and characters
Lava Lamp
My Sims 2 for PC
Wii Resort
A neat desk for my DD
Scene It Twilight from the Budget Board
skinny jeans and two shirts from Old Navy with coupons
another Wii remote
and I can't remember the rest.. we shall see in a few hours!

My gift to everyone is the wonderful meal I am cooking them today! We are just blessed to be together this holiday!

 

[luv2nascar]

oh I spent more than that on each kid - not bragging. DD14 & DD6 spent about $500 on each plus $300 on 12 other people & $175 on DH. Plus what DH spent on me and what each of the kids spent on us.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Every year I swear I am going to spend less But, as kids get older (the 12year old) things are more $$$
DH and I had a budget for each other.
I am afraid to add up a total of how much I spent but it is approx. $2000 or a bit more.
I am going to try and cut back next year......
However, worth noting...I did buy DD a lot of clothes and some necessary items(underwear, cruise wear, etc)
I am also going to try and purchase a few things on clearance next week to put aside (holiday items that is) for the type of extra things such as hostess, dance instructors etc. These sort of items really add up too.
I did however, resist the tempatation of buying more DVC points....that would have been a super budget blowing item....

 

[plummer925]

I originally spent under $200 for 5 people (1 being a child), but then found out that a friend of mine was in dire need and was having NO christmas, so my huband and I spent another $200-250 on her and her 4 children, so under $500 for 10...not too bad, I guess. More than I expected.

 

[Lynn CC]

$1300 for everyone.............plus

$441 for shipping DS's gift to Japan...DH and I didn't exchange because of the shipping charge it was a way to justify it I guess.

His shipment had 2 dress shirts, and some goodies from home only 54lbs, why do they charge so much to ship?

 

[timzagain]

I just added up all the money we spent on gifts, and I'm sure I've forgotten some, but we spent at least US $1300 on gifts for a total of 29 people, including our family of six. That doesn't include my husband's spending or the cost of stocking stuffers. Nor does that include the cost of any of the "extra gifts" that I used from my gift closet from last year.

I know that my husband has probably spent at least another $200 or $300! And all of this after we made a decision to cut back on our spending!

It's a good thing I buy gifts year round. I couldn't imagine shelling out that kind of money at one go, especially in this economy. It's also a good thing that I am a bargain hound, otherwise the bill would have been much higher!

Wow! What an eye-opener! Shopping year round is a great way to take the sting out of Christmas shopping, but it's also an easy way to lose track of how much money you're really spending. The current economic climate has affected our income badly - there's no way I could have or would have spent that kind of money in one go!

 

[luvsJack]

$1300 for everyone.............plus

$441 for shipping DS's gift to Japan...DH and I didn't exchange because of the shipping charge it was a way to justify it I guess.

His shipment had 2 dress shirts, and some goodies from home only 54lbs, why do they charge so much to ship?

Holy Cow! What kind of goodies? That must have been a lot of Christmas cookies!

 

[DisMomme]

Holy Cow! What kind of goodies? That must have been a lot of Christmas cookies!

Maybe it was a really good fruit cake.

 

[decaff38]

1,000.00 on gifts and stocking stuffers for 11 adults and 3 kids, + 4 dogs and 2 cats. Another 300.00 on food and 100.00 on beverages to have all the kids and their spouses and children here for 4 days. Good thing hubby got a bonus( he runs his own business -LOL) . We stash about 50-100.00 a month for xmas so it doesn't sting so much. I also shop through out the year and that makes a huge difference. Feel pretty good about this year. A couple of year were dreadful afterwards. No more creditcards makes a difference too. Glad I learned my lesson a few years back. On to V-day & Easter!

 

[elmo2wdw]

$2800 on the 3 kids and then another $975 on family gifts (21 people). We have a Christmas Club that we put money away every week to help us at Christmas time. Plus probably another $200 on decorations, wrapping paper, cards and food.

It is all worth it when I see my kids faces Christams morning!

 

[LovableGluttons]

DH and I had our beginning of the year budget meeting last night. $4000 on Christmas this year. Ouch!

Next year won't be quite as extravagant. Some of the gifting was practical gifting for our kids as they've reached the ages that we're redoing their bedrooms to more mature items. We incorporated gifting into that to help offset the expense.

DD's room gets painted this month and they both get new furniture next month.

Then their rooms will be finished!