Budget Christmas Confessions

[Ephany]

I'm sure I tried to steer DD towards liking something I'd already purchased when she was little but she definitely knows her own mind. I've always told her it's ok to (politely) ask for the receipt to exchange something if her Dad or I bought something to surprise her and we guessed wrong. Politely being the key word . I've been the recipient when someone gifted me something THEY wanted and I try not to do that to others. That being said, DD has asked for exactly 2 things for Christmas. Those $4 sleep pants and nightshirts Walmart had as a BF doorbuster and a specific Harry Potter boxed set from Costco. If she doesn't give me any more ideas, there will be quite a few surprises under the tree this year.

 

[smiths02]

I bought my 3 year old son an Olaf costume on clearance after Halloween. Well, when he was asked what he wanted from Santa, he said "an Olaf costume." Well, Santa can't bring that because my 9 year old already saw ME buy it. So I had to convince him that he wanted Santa to bring light sabers.

 

[MomToOne]

My 9 year old nephew has asked for a deer lease as his ONLY Christmas item. He has decided we can all go in on it. Any advice from those Moms who never try to convince the kids they want something else?

I told my sister I'd send a check for what I normally spend, and she can tell him he can apply it towards the mortgage

I always told my daughter that while she was free to ask for anything, I retained veto power over everything. Even back in the Santa days - I told her Santa called to let me know what he was planning to bring, and if I didn't agree with something, he'd change it. So if I was your nephew's parent and didn't think the deer lease was appropriate for whatever reason, I wouldn't bother convincing him in this case, I'd just exercise my veto. But of course, if his parents are OK with it, well, then, I'd be sending the check just like you!

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I bought my 3 year old son an Olaf costume on clearance after Halloween. Well, when he was asked what he wanted from Santa, he said "an Olaf costume." Well, Santa can't bring that because my 9 year old already saw ME buy it. So I had to convince him that he wanted Santa to bring light sabers.

Can your 9 year old son wrap up the costume and give it as a gift to your 3 year old for Christmas?

 

[smiths02]

Can your 9 year old son wrap up the costume and give it as a gift to your 3 year old for Christmas?

That's a nice idea. He'll get the Olaf costume, it just can't be his Santa gift (our kids only get one gift and stockings from Santa)

 

[misse336]

I haven't done it much for Christmas, but admit to steering/talking up a certain theme for a birthday if we're at the store and that theme has plates/napkins that are on sale. It normally works with my kids too as long as the discounted item is already something that they're into and they don't go to the store with a set in stone idea.

The AG doll that my dd is getting from her grandparents for Christmas was essentially picked out by her grandmother. Just by power of suggestion her grandmother steered her in the direction of thinking the one doll was the best when they looked through all of the new catalogs that seem to constantly find their way to our house. The AG doll idea itself was dd's though - she said she wanted an AG doll, but never had an idea which one. Her grandmother just loves buying dolls and thought one particular doll was prettier than the rest and luckily for her dd was steered into agreeing.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Yep - Guilty! My dd 13 wanted a $600 Cannon camera last year for Christmas as she wanted to start out doing some photography. I got a really good Fuji one that takes great pics and was able to get using some points so got a great deal on it. Leading up we did research on cameras and I pointed out what great pics this one took etc. I think she was a little bummed she didn't get the $600 camera...but her photography obsession lasted about two months. So regardless of if she wanted the Cannon or not, I couldn't afford it, and as someone said, moms know best, and I wasn't giving into her latest new found obsession.

 

[jesse8931]

I don't have children just nieces and nephews so I get them what every they ask for.

My doggies get a huge bone.

 

[DisneyNurse4Life]

I saw this thread and got excited because I totally have been cutting corners this holiday because of our upcoming trips in '16. Decided to get a fake tree for $20 on sale instead of paying the typical $48-$52 for a real one. Also, got a RC helicopter at 5 Below ($5 instead of on Amazon.com for $20). Pretty much gave both teens a budget and left them decide how it gets spent, but if they quote me a price and I find it cheaper elsewhere, then $$$ for "surprise" gifts. Also to cut corners, I cut down on some of the holiday baking. Does this count?

 

[kool_kat]

My confession is that I got some great deals on Christmas gifts this year and I didn't tell my husband how much I saved because he would then think we should buy the person an additional gift to get up to the money we would normally spend. He just got the going rate price.

For example, my niece wanted converse shoes that cost 50.00. I got them for free with Kohl's cash, coupons, & yes rewards. That is all she is getting for Christmas. Also, got some other shoes someone wanted that were 50.00 on amazon. Got them for 1/2 that from zumiez.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I got for the most part very good deals, but just couldn't find what I wanted for my nephew for a good price. I wanted a thick, chicago winter worthy white sox jacket. Apparently they don't come cheap. Case in point, my clearance only generally pretty cheap self spent $80 on a coat for a 12 year old. In my defense it was normally $135... but still. Omg. I'm just used to getting some deep, deep discounts on their gifts. Good news is I sized up so it should last him awhile as he's already in Men's sizes and this is a useful gift. Thankfully that was my only O.O purchase!

Still not telling DH unless he asks.

 

[njpyro]

My confession is that I got some great deals on Christmas gifts this year and I didn't tell my husband how much I saved because he would then think we should buy the person an additional gift to get up to the money we would normally spend. He just got the going rate price.

For example, my niece wanted converse shoes that cost 50.00. I got them for free with Kohl's cash, coupons, & yes rewards. That is all she is getting for Christmas. Also, got some other shoes someone wanted that were 50.00 on amazon. Got them for 1/2 that from zumiez.

My husband has the same problem. His brother wanted a blu-ray for his birthday. I found it as an amazon lightning deal for $6 instead of the usual $20. He then had to spend another $14, in addition to the other things he got him, just because he has to spend the same amount on all his brothers, so now I never tell him if I get something on sale.

 

[potterfanatic]

I always told my daughter that while she was free to ask for anything, I retained veto power over everything. Even back in the Santa days - I told her Santa called to let me know what he was planning to bring, and if I didn't agree with something, he'd change it. So if I was your nephew's parent and didn't think the deer lease was appropriate for whatever reason, I wouldn't bother convincing him in this case, I'd just exercise my veto. But of course, if his parents are OK with it, well, then, I'd be sending the check just like you!

I do this too!! I also give my kids the toy booklets with the prices and pictures like from toys r us and target. I have told them that I veto anything that cost over x amount of dollars because Santa has to buy the gifts and it probably costs a lot of money to buy presents for every good boy and girl.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

We end up with lots of surprises in my house. One Santa list had three items: Disney Infinity 3.0 (totally easy to do with Black Friday prices), a 3D printer (which he totally knows isn't happening but you get to dream on the Santa list), and surprises. It's both nice and stressful to have the freedom to choose "surprises". I can pick what I find good prices on, but will he like them? I've guessed well in past years, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

[Nennie]

My 7 year old asked me what should he ask Santa for Christmas! So I "suggested" 2 things that I had already bought him. He's now convinced it was his own idea and tells everyone those 2 items when they ask what he wants for Christmas! Score!!!!!!!

I figure this is probably my last year of being able to mold his wish list, so I'm taking advantage! ha ha!!!

 

[Ava]

Most of what my 6-year-old DD is getting is a "surprise" because asking her what she wants is impossible. She has no idea. And if you show her a catalog, she circles every item on every page. I did get some general ideas from looking at catalogs with her, but mostly I'm buying what I think she'll enjoy and hoping I get it right. Its been a bit tough to figure out what to get her but I almost prefer this to her asking for every plastic thing in the toy aisles. (Like Shopkins. I still don't understand why those are so popular.)

 

[mom2rose&john]

Absolutely did this when they were younger. Now with preteens it has to be Uggs not Bear Paw, and North Face or Under Armour not Columbia and you can not change their mind. So it's a $ limit with a disclaimer that they will not get everything on the list.

 

[Crystal824]

Most of what my 6-year-old DD is getting is a "surprise" because asking her what she wants is impossible. She has no idea. And if you show her a catalog, she circles every item on every page. I did get some general ideas from looking at catalogs with her, but mostly I'm buying what I think she'll enjoy and hoping I get it right. Its been a bit tough to figure out what to get her but I almost prefer this to her asking for every plastic thing in the toy aisles. (Like Shopkins. I still don't understand why those are so popular.)

I don't get Shopkins either, but I have a five year old who has a few and really wants some more for Christmas.

 

[neatokimmo]

I do this too!! I also give my kids the toy booklets with the prices and pictures like from toys r us and target. I have told them that I veto anything that cost over x amount of dollars because Santa has to buy the gifts and it probably costs a lot of money to buy presents for every good boy and girl.

I have always told my kid I have to cut santa a check for what he brings. It explains why some kids get more.

 

[neatokimmo]

I got a 48 item list that added up to a grand. I didn't take that very well.

Her main gift is a balance beam, they never go on sale. I did however get a stellar deal on mats. The rest of the stuff she is unwrapping is what she picked out at the disney outlet in oct. I used rewards for that