Christmas Budget/Shopping?

[EthansMom]

I'm feeling nosy, so I thought I'd ask if anyone wants to share their Christmas budget? Also, has anyone else started Christmas shopping?

I'm hoping to stick with a budget of $1000 for Christmas including food, cards, shipping, gifts for our family, and gifts for the extended family. I've tried to get away from getting gifts for the adults in the extended family and instead give professional family photos, but now that we live near the in-laws I have to get them token gifts. We keep the gifts pretty low key for the kids and try to spend more time doing things as a family: making cookies, decorating our tree, talking about the meaning of Christmas, etc...

I've been picking up gifts as I see things for particular people and then storing them in the basement. I found sweaters for the male in-laws at good prices and some cool trucks for my nephews. We're going to be at WDW the first week of Dec., so my goal is to have all presents purchased and wrapped before Dec.

Anyone else as crazy me?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We started at the Bath and Body Works Christmas clearance. Call us scrooge--but we've trimmed everyone to $15. Real value is more of course.

I'm tired of 4 figured Christmasses...and we will be incorporating homemade gifts this year. The $15 cap is the start of the weaning process.

Children is $100 per--but each Christmas has a purpose behind the gifts and we stick with 3 gifts per...usually 2 gifts each and 1 gift shared.

Someone posted what they do last year...something about Something Needed, Something to read, something fun, something to wear---something like that anyway.

If anybody knows more about that I would be interested.

 

[EthansMom]

We started at the Bath and Body Works Christmas clearance. Call us scrooge--but we've trimmed everyone to $15. Real value is more of course.

I was at $15 per person last year, but have upped it to $20 or less per person. I do try to get items off-season and on discount -- got the guys all sweaters that are $50-$60 full price.

I'm tired of 4 figured Christmasses...and we will be incorporating homemade gifts this year. The $15 cap is the start of the weaning process.

Yup, I had all of the adults weaned to getting just family photos until we moved nearby. I looked like a shmuck last year when everyone gave us gifts and we gave them photos. "Oh, it's a picture." - no enthusiasm. I'll probably still give out photos, but the in-laws will get 5X7's and a gift while I'll ship 81/2X11's to my folks.

Children is $100 per--but each Christmas has a purpose behind the gifts and we stick with 3 gifts per...usually 2 gifts each and 1 gift shared.

Yes, Santa brings our kids each one small to medium toy ($25 or less) and fills the stockings and we get them each a couple more toys. Toys that encourage creative play, books, puzzles, etc. are all big with us. So, probably $150 tops for each child. Much less for DH and I -- we usually get each other books, tools, generally small stuff.

I also will probably be having Christmas dinner here again this year. I think we spent about $100 just on food/drinks for everyone last year...and that was with each family bringing a couple dishes.

 

[madge]

I'm feeling nosy, so I thought I'd ask if anyone wants to share their Christmas budget? Also, has anyone else started Christmas shopping?

I'm hoping to stick with a budget of $1000 for Christmas including food, cards, shipping, gifts for our family, and gifts for the extended family. I've tried to get away from getting gifts for the adults in the extended family and instead give professional family photos, but now that we live near the in-laws I have to get them token gifts. We keep the gifts pretty low key for the kids and try to spend more time doing things as a family: making cookies, decorating our tree, talking about the meaning of Christmas, etc...

I've been picking up gifts as I see things for particular people and then storing them in the basement. I found sweaters for the male in-laws at good prices and some cool trucks for my nephews. We're going to be at WDW the first week of Dec., so my goal is to have all presents purchased and wrapped before Dec.

Anyone else as crazy me?

I don't have my budget set, but I have already started scoping the summer sales for gifts

 

[PhoohWhoWho]

we do $25 for moms and dads, sister and brothers. Also the wifes and kids.
My kids $100 and its hard to do that! I already went to Bath & body this week and got 2 people down with the sale they got going on! I love christmas but i hate the stress people put us through to compeat with them!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I try to stick to $20 per person for my and Dh's brothers, sisters, and each person in their families. I tend to spend more for my mil because she's the only parent we have. I haven't come up with a budget for my kids yet although I know I need to, but they do know that if they ask for more expensive gifts they will get less, like this year DD has asked for a princess tv so she will probably only get that and two or three smaller things.

I have started shopping already, I got mil a nightgown from chadwicks on clearance plus used the code from this board , I have been buying gifts to make up a bath set for the new babies in our families whenever I get coupons for baby wash, etc., and a few other things I've found on clearance. I couldn't pass up the 20% off code and clearance at Disneydirect, I got DD a the princess winter set with gloves and a hat. I lean toward practical gifts. My kids get character toothbrushes as stocking stuffers, I've even bought one of them already.

The problem I have with buying my kids gifts at this point is that I have one DD9, and four DS's, 7,6,4 and 1. They have all the toys they could possibly need and I know which specific things they want. I would love for someone to just get them some McDonald's gift certificates or a GC for a movie instead of another toy, but they're afraid they would rather open toys.

Ethansmom, when I'm not sure what to get I usually get someone either a gift card to somewhere they shop or a gift basket of food, like cheese and sausage or a fruit basket. Hope that helps.

 

[marciagms]

Now you can save up to 75% in the Disneydirect.com Semi-Annual Clearance Sale! Plus get an EXTRA 20% off items already marked down. Use code CLEARANCE20. Hurry, expires June 30!
Check this out! I bought my twin girls who are 6 a Princess Monogramed robe for about $15. Adult PJ's top around $4 and pants $5. They have lots of great Santa gifts and the Male PJ's are hard to beat. The entire Mickey, Goofy etc. sleeper set for father, father in law, brother, husband etc for less than $10 that is hard to beat. I hope this helps!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I do my xmas shopping all year round. That way, it's easier on the budget (not so much at once) and I can buy things on sale. Also, I'm not rushing at the last minute. I like to have all of my shopping for xmas done by Nov 15 so while everyone else is freaking out about their xmas shopping and the weather, I can stay home and bake and RELAX! (and of course, listen to my friends talk about how stressed they are and how they don't know how I do it....). ;-)

 

[BARBARAAPPLE]

I have started and have 2 people done so I quess that is a good start

 

[nrsldy]

I shop for christmas all year round. I have been trying to fullfill needs first. I am striving to get the gifts down to a want, a need and a treasure. I have in the past gone a little overboard. I love the Christmas season. I have money that goes into a christmas account. That is my budget--$1200.

 

[StephMK]

Funny you should mention that! I was just thinking of Christmas last night as I was pulling gifts out of my stash for DS 3's bday today. I am going for less than $100 this year, would love $800 if I can swing it. Definitely more homemade stuff this year from us. It's insane & we've been trying to cut back each year. Last year we cut off all the nieces & nephews - there are 13 of them combined, teens & college. This year, teacher's gifts are covered because we moved last year & I forgot to hand out the ones I had bought. Seemed silly to give them after New Year's so they'll come out this year instead.

Where are all you families? I have such a hard time limiting the kids stuff & it just seems like their friends get showered w/stuff. Tough to explain why they don't get as much. Plus how do you handle Santa? Two of mine are still small enough to believe so we do some from Santa, some from us, plus stockings. There must be a better way!

Would everyone post their creative & great homemade gift ideas? I'd love to find ways to trim our holiday budget too if anyone has some great tips.

 

[C.Ann]

$500 cash - no matter how many people I need to buy for.. And if I don't have $500 cash, then I adjust it according to what I have.. I refuse to go into debt for Christmas - even if it "could" be paid off in 30 days.. Far too many things can go wrong in life to create a Christmas bill on the hopes of being able to pay it off later..

"Pay as you go - unless you're going for good......"

 

[amyup]

I'm trying for around $600 or less. We went overboard last year and want to scale it down a bit. $25 or less for everyone except the kids, they'll probably get $150 each.

 

[luv2nascar]

I started shopping for this christmas at last year's after christmas sales. got great fleeces for gifts at Target. I also got picture frame & album sets. I made homemade candy last year and everyone loved it. Cutting the budget back this year again. Spending less on everyone.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

could some of you share good teacher gifts as well? Maybe some of you ARE teachers and you could tell me what good gifts are?????

 

[EthansMom]

Where are all you families? I have such a hard time limiting the kids stuff & it just seems like their friends get showered w/stuff. Tough to explain why they don't get as much. Plus how do you handle Santa? Two of mine are still small enough to believe so we do some from Santa, some from us, plus stockings. There must be a better way!

We live 5 doors down from my SIL, BIL and their 3 kids. SIL spends at least $1000 per kid on their gifts. And tell the kids that all of the gifts (including all gifts given by other family members) is from Santa. The 6 year old already wants to know why Santa doesn't just leave all of the gifts at his house. Because there isn't any room left?

I've explained to my 3.5 year-old that Santa only brings one smallish gift and fills his stocking because Santa has to get gifts for so many kids!

I wish I could get the in-laws to buy more thoughtful gifts instead of just MORE gifts. FIL and SMIL bought DS a motorized scooter last winter (more for a 7 year old) and he still isn't big enough for it. They bought DD winter clothes that will fit her this fall, hopefully. MIL and SFIL bought each of the kids a lot of cheap junk -- most of which broke very quickly, except for the electric piano for DS that doesn't have a headphone jack.

I also go through and clean out the worn, broken, and outgrown toys every so often and DS knows that when I do that we are "making room for new toys" for his birthday and Christmas. Old toys that are in good condition go to "the poor kids" (Goodwill). DS also knows that if he intentionally breaks a toy, DH and I will not buy him a replacement.

I would love to find a web site with recipes/instructions for the recipe jar gifts -- cookies, baked goods, etc...Does anyone know of a good site?

 

[Amii]

I am a teacher and I really like gifts that the kids make or something I could use in the classroom.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Amii, we usually buy a gift for the classroom on my child's birthday. At holiday time, I want to buy a gift specifically for the teacher so she knows how much she is appreciated. I'm looking for ideas.........

 

[hockey mom]

I have started on the stockings. I made the mistake of thinking that these huge stockings I seen at a craft sale were so cute and bought 3. Now I am stuck filling them every year

I do tend to go overboard on my kids though. Roughly about $500/kid(I have 3).
DH and I have a $300 budget on eachother.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I am a teacher and I really like gifts that the kids make or something I could use in the classroom.

Could you be more specific about what kinds of things would be useful for the classroom? I'm never sure what things have to come out of the teachers' pockets.