Christmas - how can I keep myself from overspending?

[EllenFrasier]

Every year I tell myself the same thing - I will not spend a bunch of money just for the sake of having a lot of presents under the tree. It never works out. I'll see a great deal on something for one of the kids and then I have to buy the other kids items so it all equals out, only their items might cost more because they were not on sale. It's a vicious cycle.
I'd like to ask each person for a few items that they really want and then I'd pick one or two things from that and add some clothes, etc. Sometimes it's the "etc." that costs the most money! And it kind of feels like they are
placing an order for their Christmas presents if they only give me a list of a few things.
One time on these boards I read where someone gives each child 3 gifts to represent the first Christmas (gold, frankenscense and mryh (sp?) My kids are not little kids anymore, the youngest are 12 - but they still like to get presents on Christmas.
Any helpful tips to stay on budget or make a budget or something so I'm not feeling guilty for spending so much money on Christmas would be appreciated.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We set an amount to spend on each child, and when it's gone, it's gone. My DH gets paid out for his comp time that he banks through the year (by working holidays, usually) in early December and we decide how much to spend then. We get that much cash out when we go shopping, and when it's gone, well....we go home.

 

[QVCshopper]

It's tough, especially with kids. I start by making a list; I've had one for at least a month now, and I edit it as needed. Then, I start by looking for deals on those things, and picking them up as I go.

As bad as this sounds, I don't try to be completely equal in dollar amounts. For example, my son wanted this expensive Dino that I finally found at 75% off, usually $100 and I spent $25. So, that's one of his bigger gifts, plus a Nintendo DS or iPod Touch, and then a couple little things. My daughter will probably get an AG doll that I bought a few years ago at QVC on sale and other things she wants. I try to make the number of gifts equal, but if I got the Dino and AG doll cheap, then great... That doesn't mean I then spend more to make the money stuff equal. Hope that makes sense.

I also try to limit their gifts because we only have room for so much. I used to buy on clearance a lot, but now they have specific wants, so the sales are a better way to go.

 

[Marionnette]

Every year I tell myself the same thing - I will not spend a bunch of money just for the sake of having a lot of presents under the tree. It never works out. I'll see a great deal on something for one of the kids and then I have to buy the other kids items so it all equals out, only their items might cost more because they were not on sale. It's a vicious cycle.
I'd like to ask each person for a few items that they really want and then I'd pick one or two things from that and add some clothes, etc. Sometimes it's the "etc." that costs the most money! And it kind of feels like they are
placing an order for their Christmas presents if they only give me a list of a few things.
One time on these boards I read where someone gives each child 3 gifts to represent the first Christmas (gold, frankenscense and mryh (sp?) My kids are not little kids anymore, the youngest are 12 - but they still like to get presents on Christmas.
Any helpful tips to stay on budget or make a budget or something so I'm not feeling guilty for spending so much money on Christmas would be appreciated.

I set a dollar amount for each kid and stick to it. It doesn't matter whether I got a great deal on ski goggles for 'A' and only spend $5 on them. I still only spent $5 and there's is $5 less to spend on 'A'. I don't look at the retail value of the item and subtract that from 'A's' total.

And if I had to spend $300 for an ipod touch for 'B' and got a $50 GC as a part of the deal, then I spend that $50 GC on another gift for 'B'.

The kids are old enough to understand that the dollar amount is pretty even between them. So if 'A's' pile has more packages or 'B's' pile looks larger because the gifts are in larger boxes, it doesn't cause bad feelings. What's important is finding that one special gift that makes them happy.

 

[mjantz]

I have an app on my iPhone. I set limits & then when I buy something I put it on the list. Once it says zero I stop spending. It helps me remember what I bought & keep the spending in check.

 

[MomToOne]

I have a few different techniques for DD11:

- I set a reaonable budget (not too stingy and not too "let's buy lots!") and then make it my goal to come in UNDER budget. I start watching for deals in September to accomplish this.

- Now that she doesn't believe in Santa, I have told my daughter that she needs to make a one big list of everything she thinks she wants. I will take that list into consideration, and I will share it with the many aunts, uncles and grandparents that buy for her if they ask. I do not, however, promise that she will get a single item on that list - that what she gets is completely at "Santa Mom's" discression Reality is that I will pick one or two of the bigger items that she "really" wants from her list, then supplement with items that I think she'll like but just doesn't know it yet (And that maybe I got a good deal on...) I have a pretty good track record in that regard, so she's OK with it - although she'd be happiest if she got everything on her list PLUS the stuff I randomly think of!

- Periodically, I pull all of the presents I've bought so far out of the closet they are hidden in and put them in a big pile, like they will be stacked under the tree. This gives me perspective on just how much stuff I've already bought. Sometimes when you list it out in your head or look at it on paper (I keep a list in Excel - I'm a bit anal retentive LOL) it doesn't feel like much, but when you pull out all of the packages, it's much more impressive!!!

 

[Chelley00]

My kids are not little kids anymore, the youngest are 12 - but they still like to get presents on Christmas.

Any helpful tips to stay on budget or make a budget or something so I'm not feeling guilty for spending so much money on Christmas would be appreciated.

If the kids are older than 12, they are old enough to understand budgets and the fact that you don't always get everything you want, and you don't have to get TONS of stuff to have a great Christmas.

Our kids get 4 presents each plus stocking stuffers. A thing you want, a thing you need, a thing you wear and a thing you rear. They also get presents from grandparents so they are definately not deprived, and they've never said anything about feeling shorted or how unfair it is. It helps me stay on track because I'm not overbuying and I don't have to play the "if this person has X amount presents how many do I need to buy for this person" game.

 

[amy-momofthree]

I have an app on my iPhone. I set limits & then when I buy something I put it on the list. Once it says zero I stop spending. It helps me remember what I bought & keep the spending in check.

What app is that?? Would be very helpful

 

[EllenFrasier]

If the kids are older than 12, they are old enough to understand budgets and the fact that you don't always get everything you want, and you don't have to get TONS of stuff to have a great Christmas.

Our kids get 4 presents each plus stocking stuffers. A thing you want, a thing you need, a thing you wear and a thing you rear. They also get presents from grandparents so they are definately not deprived, and they've never said anything about feeling shorted or how unfair it is. It helps me stay on track because I'm not overbuying and I don't have to play the "if this person has X amount presents how many do I need to buy for this person" game.

Did you mean a thing you "read"? I hope so, didn't want to imagine your kids bringing up chickens or something!

 

[beansmom]

i sound like an old geezer but i think we give our kids waay too much material goods. My children are grown but we have grandchildren. We get each one a toy, an outfit and a book, much like the PP.

100 years ago people were happy to get an orange and a peppermint stick. I think we have lost sight of the true meaning of the holidays. And I will stop my soapbox lecture here before addressing Easter baskets, etc.

 

[monkey30]

We set an amount to spend on each child, and when it's gone, it's gone. My DH gets paid out for his comp time that he banks through the year (by working holidays, usually) in early December and we decide how much to spend then. We get that much cash out when we go shopping, and when it's gone, well....we go home.

We do this as well. Right now we have a jar going in the house and that will be our xmas spending. Cash only its the easiest way not to overspend. Leave your credit cards and debit at home to avoid those purshases you regret later

 

[jacksmom]

I tend to like to start shopping early, but find I spend more when I do!

 

[pigletto]

I think like any budget issue it just comes down to good planning. Make a list and a budget, watch the sales, and vow to stop when you've hit your limit.
Easier said than done, but it's much more doable when you've planned it out before hitting the stores.
I am looking forward to the day when we can plan a vacation and have that be the bulk of our Christmas presents. My little one is still Santa age though.. so we'll wait a few more years on that idea.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We to do the something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. They also get stocking stuffers and gifts from relatives but it does becomes to much the years we strayed from this. We also include gift certificates to family fun places which they love (movies, restaurant, go karts, family fun place, zoo etc etc. We did give them the option of more stuff for christmas or a better vacation and they would rather travel than have stuff - my youngest said it best when she was 8 "Mom, we get all this stuff and then quit playing with it so we give it away or yard sale it or it breaks or we dont play with it and its a waste, lets just go and make memories instead"

I now make a list of ideas for the above items and then each payday i pick up one or 2 items so my shopping will be done by Dec 1 and i can sit back and enjoy the season.

 

[mrs.sammich]

I use a spread sheet. Our boys get three gifts from Santa, a gift from us, a gift from each other, and one from the pets. I fill in the spread sheet as I buy the gift, under who it's for and from- When the spaces are full, I am stopping my shopping. No extra gifts this year. We can't do it. And I'm trying to use cash and gift cards we've earned to pay for it all. I've added the other people we get gifts for on the sheet too. Keeps me as organized as I'm going to get.

 

[mjantz]

What app is that?? Would be very helpful

It's called 'Christmas Gifts List' & it's from adamcode.com. It's .99 but I've found it well worth it. You can also put in stuff & check it off as you buy it but I use it to make lists of what I buy & then I know how much is left. I also keep my wish list on there listing everything at $1. I have a hard time sometimes remembering what I want & with a December birthday everything comes at once & I hate when I remember 2 months later.

 

[ozziejen2000]

I actually do two things.

First I make a list on excel (not very hard to do)
The columns include, the person, the amount that we are going to spend on them, a gift idea, the actual amount spent, and a check when that person is done.

We also start pulling out $ 100.00 per month and put it into a separate envelope that does not get touched every month starting in January. By October we have $ 1000.00 to go shop with and it is all cash, no credit cards.

I save the list from the previous year and update it. I hope that helps.

 

[RadioMom]

CASH only! That's what works for me. And I set a limit. last year we splurged a little with a playstation for my son and an ipod for my daughter. This year, we're scaling back to normal. I haven't decided the budget for this year, but it likely won't be over $150 for each one and that includes stockings. They get to go to Disney next year, that's a pretty sweet gift! Even if it is eight months after Christmas...

 

[Disney Addicted]

I also create an Excel worksheet to keep track of Christmas spending. It lists each person, the gifts, the cost, etc. It's great because I never realized how much I was spending until I started keeping track.

We gift 14 kids, 5 family adults, and teachers.

There is no way of trimming down the kids list as it's our 2, plus 9 nieces & nephews (2 of which also have birthdays in Nov & Dec) and kid cousins. And 3 daycare children.

The problem I have is keeping my husband in check! He wants to purchase the kids way too much stuff. On the year leading up to a Disney trip, I really do not want to spend money on anything.

 

[kinntj]

Like everything else in our household, we are budgeting Christmas out this year.

DH and I get together and list out all the people we buy for including tips for newpaper delivery, etc.

We come with a top dollar amount for Christmas gifts. Let's say $1,000.00, even though we don't spend that amount. Santa is never figured in this amount. That's separate, since the kids change their minds frequently.

Then I'll put a number by each person or couple and work the numbers until they all come out under budget.

I keep a running tally on amounts spent. Like my oldest DD wants a Justice robe and I already bought it for a xmas eve present, so that amount is written down with the item. The tally's are kept on excel and done right after shopping.