How much do you spend per child?

[Justanopinion]

How much do you spend per child for Christmas?

Do you try to spend the same amount or do you try to get the same # of gifts?

Thankfully, I really don't have this problem anymore. My older kids have all moved out and I just have youngest DD(4) at home. It's almost like having an only child. I guess I will try to keep it reasonable.

 

[NMAmy]

This is one reason I love having an only child. I remember my mom counting gifts to make sure everyone had the same amount when we were kids.

I just budget how much I'm going to spend on dd each year. I haven't decided for this year yet. She usually has pretty modest wish lists.

 

[aprilgail2]

I only have one child and basically no budget for her at christmas- growing up we had giant christmas's here- the kind where gift opening just went on and on and that is how it still is. When we go over the cousins to open gifts the weekend after christmas the gift opening takes hours to finish- but htey do this system thing where one gift gets opened, then that person points to a gift on the floor and that person opens it, then that person points to a gift and it is given to the person who that is for and they open it- etc etc- so it takes a long time lOL, there are mounds and mounds of gifts.
For my daughter some years I guess I would be around 1,000- I never really added it all up but things are expensive, the year she got a computer it was well over that. This year all seh wants are video games and a new DS and a razor scooter so not sure what else I am getting her.

 

[Vijoge]

I plan on spending $100 on each of my children and grandchildren. My boys, of course, are grown, so I don't worry about them having an equal number of gifts. It's trickier with my granddaughters- the oldest two live with us. They will be counting to make sure one of them didn't get more presents than the other one did. I swear they count the green beans on their dinner plates and the cherios in their breakfast cereal!

 

[beattyfamily]

I picked "I keep it to a certain dollar amount but I also try to by the same amount of gifts" but I usually end up spending between $400 - $500 per child. Not this year though. We need to cut back this year.

 

[suzimar57]

DS will be getting $100 and a calendar - that's it.

 

[stacy347]

It used to be higher but this year it will be around $50 per child (from their list) plus the traditional new PJs and stocking stuffers. They are actually having fun going through the catalogs and seeing what they can come up with for $50 max.
My DD14 loves Sephora and she was so excited to find one of her favorite kits for $19.99 in their catalog, LOL!
I always worry that I might be disappointing them in times like this but kids are surprisingly understanding if you are just straightforward with them.

 

[heatherleigh]

We usually spend about $399 per child when it is all averaged out. It is not even though. My older sons' gifts are more expensive than my toddler's, and I am probably not getting much for the baby this year. We probably spent about $600 on my oldest son last year and $500 on the younger son. The baby came away w/ $100 in presents, so it averages out.

We have huge Christmases with lots of presents, but this year we are cutting way back. My mom also goes overboard w/ Christmas gifts, but she claims she will cut back this year.

We will probably get a WII for the oldest son- not sure what that will cost.

 

[MomofKatie]

We have an only child, so no worrying about equality around here. We don't spend a lot on Christmas- DD usually gets 3 Santa presents, and 1 each from Mom and Dad. She hasn't ever been a kid who plays with traditional toys- she gets arts and crafts things, clothes, tech gadgets, and "experience" gifts more than toys. One year, she and her dad got behind-the-scenes tours of the GA Aquarium, one year it was Children's Theater tickets- this year, it will be tickets to WDW for our January trip.

We traditionally spend around $150-200 in total on DD, and the same on each other. This year, though, I told DH NO GIFTS for each other!! I am going to WDW with DD in January, and he is getting a fancy new Blackberry cell/PDA this month (his old one is perfectly fine, but you know guys... ). Those will be our "gifts" to each other.

 

[Vijoge]

I usually end up spending between $400 - $500 per child.

Oh, my. . how many do you have? If I spent that much my Christmas budget would have to be nearly $5000!

 

[DVCLiz]

I have always tried to have the same number of gifts - this is a holdover from my whole life as a twin!! We were ALWAYS comparing everything - who had the bigger slice of pie, who got the most turns by the window, etc. so I must have subconsciously carried that into my parenting!

I usually buy two or three "big ticket" items - like an Ipod, a TV, a pair of Ugg boots or an expensive pair of jeans, etc - and then I have A LOT of other stuff. Books, movies, makeup, board games, toaster ovens, hair dryers, etc. So those things aren't that expensive in and of themselves but they add up.

I think I usually have 20 - 25 packages for each girl. I have been known to wrap up funny things that are gag gifts, too, if I feel like the pile is skimpy.

I probably spend about $1000 - $1200 per child at Christmas. I spent less when they had grandparents living but now I spend more. Also, if it's a year when somebody is getting something unusual because it's the right time for them to have it (like the year DD20 got a set of luggage because she was going to college the next year) the toal will be more. I spend more on higher quality things like that and then add it to Christmas.

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh, my. . how many do you have? If I spent that much my Christmas budget would have to be nearly $5000!

I have two. Like I said, though...cutting back this year. Also, the most important thing was that the gifts were just about even. Some years it was probably a couple hundred and then some years a bit more.

 

[Disneygirl26]

I usually spend about 500 on each kid, but DH will go way over that amount, the kids have gotton smart they don't even bother giving me their Christmas list they go strait to daddy can someone say sucker

 

[maslex]

I have two boys (11 & 13) I try to keep the same amount of gifts but not necessarily money wise. My oldest just got a 1988 Mustang (it's a project car for him to work on between now and when he gets his liscense) So besides the few things he has on his list, I'll probably just buy him stuff for the car (seat covers, parts for the car, etc) I've already bought him 2 PS3 games and a couple things off of ebay. So that, with the car parts will be it for him.

As for my youngest, he's sort of in between toys and NO toys. Kind of in limbo I guess LOL He's into wrestling this year, so I know I'll be getting him a few action figures for that and I already bought him an MP3 player, a DVD box set, a storage box for his Tech Decks and an alarm clock for his room.

I will also be getting them each a few new pj's, a couple of outfits and that will probably be it.

 

[mamacatnv]

I don't count gifts with 9 years apart in age, there was no way. I try to keep the $$ equitable now that DD is old enough to do the math, when she was younger I didn't so much care since the $$ leaned heavily towards DS and his electronics or sports equip.

This year, DS is in college which has put a major crimp in our budget, he is living on campus but only 10 minutes away from home, we all agreed to this and we are all making some sacrifices.

I will probably end up spending in the $300-350 range per kid that includes Santa and stockings. If the $125 I dropped last night at American Girl Doll is any indicator DD will still be getting toys, jammies and books where DS has entered the practical phase of his life, underwear & socks, school supplies and dorm stuff including a big box of goodies for late night snacks.

Every year I try to keep it under control and every year DH blows it, he likes lots of stuff under the tree.

 

[Pakey]

Our kids are grown, 2 of the 3 are married plus there is one grandchild now. This year they are getting their January 09 week in WDW plus a DCL cruise. So for Christmas they are each getting a pkg with their park tickets, Beach Club hotel reservation confirmations, airfare confirmations, deluxe dining plan meal ADR's, and cruise excursions bookings. Oh and they are each getting 2 t-shirts for the trip, a grand gathering shirt and a pirtate/grand gathering shirt for the cruise.

If this isn't satisfactory, next year it will be a lump of coal.

 

[drag n' fly]

Well considering we are taking a Christmas holiday this year they each get a 100 dollar gift card from Santa and 150.00 in gifts. Family is being asked to give them US cash for their trip.

 

[jen0610]

We usually spend just about the same on both and the number of presents is really close to the same.

This year DD11 is getting the Wii she has been asking the last 2 years for. DS13 is a huge Star Wars dork. He is getting two limited edition collector packs of clone troopers and several other figures. All of his Star Wars items will be wrapped in one box and will be his big gift for the year, as the Wii is hers. Right now, DS has about 5 more things than DD does stored in my closet, but hubby knows that will all change come black friday, when I buy her outfits.

 

[genius118899]

I usually spend about 500 on each kid, but DH will go way over that amount, the kids have gotton smart they don't even bother giving me their Christmas list they go strait to daddy can someone say sucker

haha... I always went straight to my daddy for presents!

 

[Tiffer]

I used to spend $400-500 per kid, at one point I hit $750 per kid for each of my 2 kids. Last year it went back down to $500, this year it will be around $350 per. On a much tighter budget this year.

I find it harder with a teen & a tween as everything they want is a fortune. Ipods, cell phones, gym memberships, abercrombie clothes...no more hitting the KB toy sale at 5 am on black friday and calling it a day!