Did you stick to your Christmas budget??

[richierich2323]

I wanted to spend around $250 per person for a family of 5.

We are doing Christmas a little different this year as each person in our family gets one of the following
- Need
- Want
- Read
- Wear

It was a good plan, however in our Christmas budget we didn't think about other things besides presents. So we were under our budget for presents (1,000) but ended up spending more than we expected on Santa Gifts, stockings and food for when the family comes over.

We ended up spending around $1,500 for Christmas once it will all be said and done and that includes everything food, gifts, activities (we make things and the night before Christmas we always go and get Starbucks and then go and look at Christmas lights).

I agree with a previous poster. We won't put anything on a credit card for Christmas. Luckily, the little overage will just come out of our savings account.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

This is a lower $ year. We don't have a budget for gifts or food and such.

I have adjusted based on what we have been able to spend with out any cc dept. Some years have had big purchases and the $ is way more than others, ...a golf cart for the kids, a new alienware laptop...that kind of thing.

This year is average $ for gifts but the food seems higher. We end paying for, and doing most of the work, for thanksgiving, Christmas eve , Christmas am/brunch and of course is Christmas dinner.

I found some really good deals on the things we were looking for this year so I am content. Plus, it's the first, and hopefully last, time that we did not go to Orlando and Disney in about 15 yrs for a December trip. So that saved money but it does not feel like the holidays without it.

 

[ObiWan]

Did you stick to your Christmas budget?

...that is like asking if you stuck to your vacation budget while at WDW? Eh...NO! If if had only gone over by $100 I would be happier than a pig in... well, I would be happy!

 

[TravelMommy]

I didn't anticipate getting the PS4, but they will love it!!!! I have to put pen to paper as they say, but the thing that really I need to adjust is the holiday entertainment/dinners out/food budget; I guess I spend more than I thought in those categories.

 

[aprilchem]

Not really - we put a lot of money into savings each month, but in December we just spend that money on Christmas stuff instead. So we spent about $3500, but all of it cash. Next month we go back to our regular budget.

 

[puffkin]

Sort of but not really. I pretty much stuck to what I wanted to spend for nieces, nephew, parents, brother, teachers, etc.

Kids I didn't really have a set budget, but DS8 is starting to get expensive and when I started adding it all up I decided to not get the one big item I had wanted to get which kept his much closer to what I thought was a reasonable number. When I added up DS2 I was actually pretty far under budget for him and I only had to buy one extra thing for him to even out the number of presents. I am just going to put the money difference into his account.

I wasn't planning on doing a big family gift this year...some years we do, some years we don't. But I saw something really awesome that everyone would love and I found it at a good price so I ended up buying that. DH doesn't even know about it. That is pretty much our only over budget item, and it was only by about $300 so I am pretty happy.

 

[irishdancemomma]

This thread makes me feel cheap. We did stick to our budget of $150. We buy gifts for our son, both sets of parents, and our siblings and their significant others and kids. We do not buy gifts for each other as we prefer to save our money for experiences (like Disney). We spent a a total of $120. That includes:

Son (3) - toy kitchen (we painted to wooden one I used as a kid. He has never seen it so if is new to him) $20 for paint and supplies, toy pots and pans $8 at Ross, toy plates and cups $8 at Ross, huge box of duplos $3 from craigslist, dinosaur train duplos set $3 from craigslist, Melissa and Doug felt pizza and sandwich set $12 from target with coupon, Melissa and Doug fingerprint and modeling dough $2 for both from toys r us on super clearance, for his stocking: socks, Dino that grows in water, chalk, hot wheels car, candy bar $4 for all mostly from target dollar spot on clearance - $60 total

SIL and her husband - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66

Brother 1 and his girlfriend - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66

Sister 1 and her husband and two kids - three disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, disney sippy cup for the baby, frozen on blu ray $9 amazon flash deal free shipping with amazon prime and used $4 leftover amazon credit so $5 out of pocket, popcorn $0.66, hot chocolate mix $0.50, chocolate milk mix individual serving (since the baby can't have hot chocolate) $0 as I got it as a sample, movie night box total - $12.16

Sister 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Brother 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Brother 3 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Sister 3 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50

Sister 4 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50

My parents - $20 giftcard to local restaurant purchased with $10 restaurant.com coupon that I paid about $0.50 for - total $10.50

His dad - paperback copy of the Martian $10 from amazon with free shipping from amazon prime - total $10

His mom - bath and body works products purchased with an old unused gift card - total out of pocket $0

 

[powellrj]

I had planned on just giving everyone money this year, but they started telling me things they would like to have, so everyone is getting gifts! I did spend a little more than I had planned, but not much.

 

[kymom99]

I didn't really go overboard with gifts, but as a PP said, the extras got me. Several trips to the grocery, lunch out, etc. Those are the things that hit me the hardest.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

This thread makes me feel cheap. We did stick to our budget of $150. We buy gifts for our son, both sets of parents, and our siblings and their significant others and kids. We do not buy gifts for each other as we prefer to save our money for experiences (like Disney). We spent a a total of $120. That includes:

Son (3) - toy kitchen (we painted to wooden one I used as a kid. He has never seen it so if is new to him) $20 for paint and supplies, toy pots and pans $8 at Ross, toy plates and cups $8 at Ross, huge box of duplos $3 from craigslist, dinosaur train duplos set $3 from craigslist, Melissa and Doug felt pizza and sandwich set $12 from target with coupon, Melissa and Doug fingerprint and modeling dough $2 for both from toys r us on super clearance, for his stocking: socks, Dino that grows in water, chalk, hot wheels car, candy bar $4 for all mostly from target dollar spot on clearance - $60 total

SIL and her husband - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66

Brother 1 and his girlfriend - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66

Sister 1 and her husband and two kids - three disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, disney sippy cup for the baby, frozen on blu ray $9 amazon flash deal free shipping with amazon prime and used $4 leftover amazon credit so $5 out of pocket, popcorn $0.66, hot chocolate mix $0.50, chocolate milk mix individual serving (since the baby can't have hot chocolate) $0 as I got it as a sample, movie night box total - $12.16

Sister 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Brother 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Brother 3 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83

Sister 3 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50

Sister 4 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50

My parents - $20 giftcard to local restaurant purchased with $10 restaurant.com coupon that I paid about $0.50 for - total $10.50

His dad - paperback copy of the Martian $10 from amazon with free shipping from amazon prime - total $10

His mom - bath and body works products purchased with an old unused gift card - total out of pocket $0

Good for you! My budget was double yours, but we are both on the same boat!

 

[gracie1]

This thread makes me feel cheap. We did stick to our budget of $150. We buy gifts for our son, both sets of parents, and our siblings and their significant others and kids. We do not buy gifts for each other as we prefer to save our money for experiences (like Disney). We spent a a total of $120. That includes: Son (3) - toy kitchen (we painted to wooden one I used as a kid. He has never seen it so if is new to him) $20 for paint and supplies, toy pots and pans $8 at Ross, toy plates and cups $8 at Ross, huge box of duplos $3 from craigslist, dinosaur train duplos set $3 from craigslist, Melissa and Doug felt pizza and sandwich set $12 from target with coupon, Melissa and Doug fingerprint and modeling dough $2 for both from toys r us on super clearance, for his stocking: socks, Dino that grows in water, chalk, hot wheels car, candy bar $4 for all mostly from target dollar spot on clearance - $60 total SIL and her husband - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66 Brother 1 and his girlfriend - two disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, sculptorades game that I got for free long when I worked at Starbucks and never opened $0, popcorn $0.33, hot chocolate mix $0.33, game night box total - $4.66 Sister 1 and her husband and two kids - three disney mugs $2 each on clearance at the disney store, disney sippy cup for the baby, frozen on blu ray $9 amazon flash deal free shipping with amazon prime and used $4 leftover amazon credit so $5 out of pocket, popcorn $0.66, hot chocolate mix $0.50, chocolate milk mix individual serving (since the baby can't have hot chocolate) $0 as I got it as a sample, movie night box total - $12.16 Sister 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83 Brother 2 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83 Brother 3 - disney mug $2 on clearance at the disney store, hot chocolate mix $0.33, $5 Starbucks gift card 1/2 off from groupon so $2.50 out of pocket - gift set total $4.83 Sister 3 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50 Sister 4 - fashion designer book with stencils and stickers and magic scratch art jewelry designer book $1.50 for both from toys r us on super clearance (originally $15 and $8) - total $1.50 My parents - $20 giftcard to local restaurant purchased with $10 restaurant.com coupon that I paid about $0.50 for - total $10.50 His dad - paperback copy of the Martian $10 from amazon with free shipping from amazon prime - total $10 His mom - bath and body works products purchased with an old unused gift card - total out of pocket $0

You shouldn't feel cheap - you should be proud of yourself that you were able to buy for all these people with $120!!!!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

You shouldn't feel cheap - you should be proud of yourself that you were able to buy for all these people with $120!!!!!

Yeah, exactly!

 

[njmom47]

I spent between $125 and $175 on each of my 3 kids who are young adults and don't really need a ton of stuff, nor do they "compete" for presents anymore. Besides, we pay their car insurance, AAA memberships, and some other stuff throughout the year, so they're ok with whatever they get.
I only spent about $25 on dh, but he and I both agreed we don't want more things. I spent about $40 on dgd too. I don't buy for anyone else so I think I did ok this year.
I didn't really have a budget but tried to keep things relatively even. But with much OT and my sick payout, I'm ok with spending what I spent.

 

[eliza61]

This thread makes me feel cheap. We did stick to our budget of $150. We buy gifts for our son, both sets of parents, and our siblings and their significant others and kids. We do not buy gifts for each other as we prefer to save our money for experiences (like Disney). We spent a a total of $120. That includes:
$0

Remember it's all relative. when my kids where babies (3) I could get away with much less. lol my kids were definitely the type that would play with the proverbial box.
Now that they are young adults/teens most of the things they want are electronics (phones, game systems). so a good deal for me is getting an Xbox at a good price.

Same with my siblings. we're in our mid 50's and up. so getting house wares and stuff like that is wasted. actually we don't exchange gifts for exactly that reason. I just downsized to a new house, so cups, dishes etc etc is the last thing I need.

Generally we do like you said we'll give experiences. I got my sister and I tickets to see Motown the musical so once again it's all relative. can't get those tickets for 2 bucks.

so don't feel cheap, if you got thoughtful gifts that folks will enjoy at any price that's the point.

It's only cheap if you got them stuff they won't like or don't need just because it was on sale.

It's funny because rarely do I blow the budget on "gifts", like I said I blow mine mainly from entertainment expenses and food/drink indulgences.

 

[pigletto]

We did ok. We went to Disney/Universal in early December and the kids knew if we chose to go that time of year that Christmas would be light. Their big gift was that we upgraded our "Buy 2 get 1 day free " passes for Universal to Annual Power Passes before we left. The cost to upgrade all four tickets was under $40 but it means we can do a cheapie Universal only trip with them at some point .. maybe for their birthdays since they both have March Break birthdays. We'll see.

I stuck to our budget but the budget is still higher than I wish it was. We just have large families and everyone still wants to exchange. We stopped doing birthday gifts with siblings (I have 5, plus they have spouses) so that lightened gift giving. Everyone still wants to do Christmas though so we plan for it.

 

[kkmcan]

I think we did pretty well until dh and I gave in and bought ourselves a soundbar and blue ray player at Costco last week. Spend about $180. He also saw some Sony wireless earbuds which he had been looking for so I went back and bought those for him secretly $99. And there went the budget. Oh well. We have the money. Just trying to not spend so much this year.

Our kids each are getting about $300 worth of gifts approx. Already got dh a couple of things- total is maybe $100. A couple of inexpensive things for each of my parents, a $20 gift for niece, $20 in gifts for the dog, and that's about it. We aren't exchanging gifts with the inlaws this year because of the huge Alaskan cruise trip we are taking with them next year. Also spend $24 to buy our mailman a Hickory Farms set as he picks up my ebay packages almost everyday.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I didn't have a budget. I just budget shopped.


I got some great deals, and we actually had some gifts in the house already that we had picked up at yard sales during the summer (new butane camp stove, bath & body works full size gift set).

My son is going to be thrilled with his gifts! And I think my extended family will like theirs as well.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I did really well and then my son needed a tablet for college so I decided to get him that for Christmas.

But since he was going to need it anyways, it could also be considered college budget instead.

So one way it put us 200.00 over the Christmas budget - thinking of it as college budget then I'm on target with my Christmas budget so I think I like that way better. LOL

 

[Shanan]

Came in under budget this year & thrilled about that. And glad to hear about others who were able to stay within their budget

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Didn't have a budget per we this year. Had a ball park for each kid, but then request or lack of them kind of messed that up. We did decline the request for an iPad mini.

All told 300-350 per kid.
Not sure what I spent on my husband.
He has no set budget for me. I have a wish list and he goes from that.

Our House did not close on time so spent much less on grandparents than usual. Plan to remedy that next Christmas.

Didn't have a chance to do the giving tree this year. But I have a friend with some financial difficulties as she starts her business. The business isn't the cause , but in the home stretch of getting licensed for her work , her husband was laid off and her mentor who worked with her on her business plan as part of her schooling was so kind to open the same business in the area and had the capital, license, and means to do so quickly. Her husband was able to get employment in the meantime, but out of his field and making much less. In any case--giving tree money went to her instead. So that was on budget since I just gave her a visa gift card.

Not eating out---and wasn't up to the grocery store today. Husband is picking up a huge Italian party sub and a popcorn chicken platter that we ordered. Then he will shop for other yummy snacks which will be dinner tonight and food for tomorrow.