Average amount of presents you get your child for christmas

[pocomom]

I'm embarassed to say this now but I guess we're on the crazy end of the spectrum. My kids probably each get more than 25/30 gifts split between us and Santa. We normally don't come close to stuffing everything under the tree I have been adding more clothes/practical gifts in now as they get older. I shop smart over several months. They are good kids, who aren't spoiled and don't ask for much, so I like to treat them this time of year. I haven't totaled an amount but I know it is alot of money we spend, but for me it is worth it. The kids also get each other and other family members several things and make several things, and we adopt a family each year to spoil as well.

 

[charming23]

When I was growing up Santa always brought me the one big gift I wanted. He also brought a family gift like a membership to our local zoo, tickets to see disney on ice, or a special thing to do on our spring break trip.

Mom and Dad would give me a few other gifts plus my stocking. My dad also always bought me something special that not even my mom would know about.

 

[luvmy3]

Now that my kids are older I don't really pay too much attention to how many gifts, I pay more attention to keeping the money spent on each pretty even. They would easily have 15+ gifts to open, but it won't be that many for them this year.

 

[Squidgyness]

When I was a kid I'm pretty sure it was budgeted. One year I got half the number of gifts my sister got (I got a chair full, she got a sofa full), but my mother (wonderful woman she is) explained why, and handed me the one gift that I really really wanted (the old Nintendo game boy colour and games!), after that I was too happy to notice anything else but my other gifts which were also fab. Then again, when I was younger I got a lot of playlets with big toys etc that took up a lot of space, so it all evens out I suppose. It helped that I have a sister not a brother, so i think my mother felt less pressure, as our gifts weren't really comparable in that respect.

They got around the Santa issue by saying it was from them and Santa till I stopped believing, which was a little early compared to my friends but I kept it a secret. Nowadays we don't really do that many gifts, or at least spontaneous ones, its about visiting relatives and enjoying the day as a family both on the day and in the run up to it. Christmas is still my favourite holiday for that reason, even if we aren't religious. We do still get a few gifts for each other though.

Christmas is fast approaching actually... Hmm.

 

[Graciesmom77]

My kids get 25-30 gifts split between Santa and us. No presents from Grandparents but my 2 sisters get them something. My girls have stockings that are HUGE and they get quite a few small things in them, but I usually try and stuff a few bigger things to fill the space.

I used to try and justify why I bought them so much but now I have decided that I am not asking for anyone elses help financially to buy them so I don't have to explain myself to anyone.

I cant believe how many people say that they get their kids 3-5 gifts. I don't know anyone who gets their kids that many. We all go in saying we are cutting way back, but end up buying way more than planned! I think whatever you do for your family is right for your family. I have heard of people doing 3 gifts for their kids because Jesus receieved 3 gifts when he was born. That is so sweet. My kids get a ton, but we still make sure that Jesus is the Real reason for the season.

We are donating some tween and teen age gifts to Toys for Tots this year since those seem to be the age groups that have a harder time getting gifts. My kids like giving as much as getting, and we love knowing we are helping in our own little way.

 

[chuckabone]

This thread is soo interesting to me. I love to hear what others do!
We have 3 kids 12/10/10. Ususally they had a ton of "junk" under the tree. For the past several years, I have just gone to getting them what they want. I dont care if it is not "equal". They all get alot thru the year and really don't need anything else. My ds will be getting a new shotgun, a weight bench and he is asking for a dirt bike racing starter. His twin sister is getting a guitar, a kindle and what ever else she comes up with and my oldest will not tell me what she wants so I am getting her a ipod touch and a sing song with extra mic. If the girls would actually tell me what they want it would be so much eaiser. Since my kids are over the "Santa" age, I tag everything "Santa" and be done with it. Plus it does not confuse the grandkids if they come over.

 

[StacyMarie]

I spend approximately 1500.00 between my 2 girls, who are 16 and 17. They know if they ask for something expensive, they get less gifts.

 

[Bnb0627]

I don't know the exact amount of gifts we get our kids (girls 8 & 9) but I know that we pack them under the tree and they still end up spilling over on the sofa. Last year my husband gave me the "this year we (meaning me) are cutting back on Christmas. We got all the gifts and as my husband looked at them he's like this is all we got lol. I told him you said i had to cut back!

I usually spend about $150 on "filler" presents. These are small gifts that fill in any empty spots under the tree and make the kids feel like they are getting a lot more than they are. Mostly accessories like crazy socks, nail polish, body spray, hats and gloves, magic 8 ball, mini sea monkeys etc.

We ended up going back out shopping!!

We usually get one big family gift from Santa. One year it was the Wii another a trampoline.

Our trampoline didn't survive hurricane Sandy. After my husband and I pulled it down from a tree and power lines my youngest daughter looked up at me and said "well I guess we know what to ask Santa for right mommy?"

 

[LeahA]

WOW! Some people really spend alot of money at Christmas! I have 3 boys, 9, 12, 15. When they were little I spent about $100.00 per kid for Christmas. Now, it is harder because they are getting older. We usually say they are all from Santa, my 9 year old is the only one that "might" believe in Santa, his brothers never say anything.

As they get older it is harder to stay at $100. Last year I think I jumped to $150.00 per kid. This year we are getting them a new t.v. for the basement to play their video games on. Also, look below, a trip to Disney over New Years. So, we will probably give them stocking stuffers for the car ride and some spending money down at the world.

 

[mrudman]

I went a little overboard this year, but there were just too many things I saw that I know they'll love, lol.

I set aside money throughout the year in an envelope to add up to $1000 for both dd's combined, but ended up spending about $1200 this year... this includes birthday presents as well, since they have their birthdays within a few wks of Christmas.

What's they've asked for, and they're getting, is for younger dd a hexbug set, penguin itouch cases (she has a 2nd gen. one so she thinks they'll be for that, but they're for the new 4th gen. she's getting), webkinz turtle, AG outfit. Older dd asked for and is getting a webkinz unicorn, beanbag chair, a DS game, and AG outfit.

What they're getting that they didn't ask for, but need or know they'll love is,

For younger dd, a camera of her own and couple extra lenses, a 4th gen. Itouch, duck tape and idea book, a felt craft book with a bunch of felt, wrinkle in time boxed book set, itunes card, a charm necklace, and bunch of other little stocking stuffer type.

And older dd is getting a new bike, a pre-paid phone, new bedding for her bed, a light box studio set, the underland chronicles boxed book set, itunes card, and bunch of stocking-stuffer types.

Their combo gift is a year-long science kit subscription from the young scientists club (thanks to a groupon) and a wifi spy tank (again thanks to a groupon, lol).

It seems like a ton of stuff, and I guess it really is, but Christmas/birthdays is really the only time I buy them anything, other than the occasional $5-10 toy.. so they really don't get much through the year that they don't buy themselves.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I'm surprised by how many of you actually have gifts for THIS Christmas already! I am feeling way behind. I can't pin my girls down on a wish list but I better get working on it.

If it's bought, it's also already wrapped in my house too.

 

[mrudman]

If it's bought, it's also already wrapped in my house too.

All bought and wrapped here! Been done for about a couple weeks now.

Although I might be getting younger dd one more thing. She's been begging for a balance beam (she's on the team in gymnastics), and found one for a decent price on craigslist that's still available, but have to drive an hour to get it.

 

[Swirly girls]

If it's bought, it's also already wrapped in my house too.

Call me crazy, but I've been shopping for Christmas this week!
I'm done ( almost) with stocking gifts for our 3 girls.
Since we just went to Disney, I thought it was a cute idea to have " Disney theme" stockings. So, I went online and bought some items from Disney world.
It's stuff they saw while there,but we only had so much room in our carry on bags!
So, this worked out good!
I'm excited thinking I will wrap all the stocking gifts in Disney theme wrapping paper, bows, and ribbon too.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Ds11stopped believing in santa years ago - I believe dd8 knows as well but I'm not sure. Santa brings 3 gifts - the most wanted item plus 2 others. This year it will be iPod Touches, iTunes card and one other. They will then get 5-6 gifts from us, usually 2-3 from their older sister and a couple from grandma/grandpa. They end up with plenty but not enough to be overwhelmed. Dd8 has asked for no toys this year - going to seem a bit strange - ds likes video games and legos.

 

[heartsy77]

The last few years I have done the Victorian Xmas List I found I disbords

Something you need
Something you want
Something to read
Something to Share
Something to Wear
Something as a surprise

This helped me limit the gifts and I still spend the same amount ,about 400 per child plus 50-70 on stockings.

 

[we3travellers]

We have only one child, 5 yr old son. He gets his main present on Christmas morning, unwrapped, as if Santa left it. Then after the tree goes up (in 3 weeks!) I try to keep the number of gifts under it to 10 at an average of $10 each. So $100 for under the tree from mom and dad and then about $100-$150 from Santa. This year the biggest thing he wanted was a Nintendo DS, but my mom ended up buying him one a couple of weeks ago. The next biggest thing is Skylanders for his Wii. So I get off easy this year as the Skylanders starter kit is only about $70 here. I'm sure it's even cheaper in the U.S.! I've just started the under the tree gifts this week and have an Angry Birds puzzle, Angry Birds t shirt, and a Lego game. All on sale, all under $10! I'll probably add a DS game or 2, another Skylander figure, some Lego, a few Hot Wheels, favourite chocolate, and I don't know what else. I stay away from clothes (except for the t) as my parents usually do the "needs" presents. Stockings are also done at my parents and is a collaboration between me and my mom.

 

[StacyMarie]

The last few years I have done the Victorian Xmas List I found I disbords

Something you need
Something you want
Something to read
Something to Share
Something to Wear
Something as a surprise

This helped me limit the gifts and I still spend the same amount ,about 400 per child plus 50-70 on stockings.

This is an idea I LOVE! I'm sure my girls will not like it though.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We have two sons, 10 and 6. If our oldest has learned about Santa, he's given no indication. I plan to leave out items from Santa as long as they're living at home.

Santa brings 1-3 items, depending on what was asked for, unwrapped and near the fireplace. I ask them in advance what they want to ask Santa for and try to guide their choices. They know Santa only leaves a couple of things -- usually, it's the larger stuff that Mom doesn't want to wrap! The bigger items, dollar-wise, are gifts from their dad and me. I usually wind up with 8-10 gifts for each of them under the tree from us and probably spend about $200 each. I do try to keep the number of items equal, as well as the total dollar amount. We sometimes do one big family gift, like last year my husband really wanted to get a game table (air hockey/pool) and so we splurged on that even though I'd already bought everything I'd planned to give them. (The game table was from us, not Santa, btw.)

We have a big family Christmas with my family and the kids get gifts from my brother's family and sister's family and my parents, and usually money from my husband's parents. I like to think we're pretty middle-of-the-road as far as gift-giving goes. I don't want our house to look like Toys R Us, but want them to have a good time and good memories.

 

[wahmtexas]

We budget $800 and they are 9 and 6 each gets around 20 gifts, some from Santa have both their names like the XBox/Kinnect last year.

 

[danielle79]

30 gifts each? Really? We have three girls and I try to keep the number as equal as possible but $ amount is hard. My oldest is 15 and her gifts cost a lot more than her 7 and 8 year old sisters gifts. I would say maybe 8 to 10 gifts each and a stocking at our house. My husband thinks I go way over board! This year will be different, I'm setting a limit to $300 a child. The two oldest want Ipods my youngest is the hardest to shop for, because we have so many toys! She wants a North Face soft fleece jacket and I am considering this because she will wear it more than play with most of the toys she has gotten in the past. My oldest is going to Europe in March so she will get things she needs for the trip.