How much does Santa bring to your house?

[DwarfMaster]

Does Santa have a $$ budget for each child that he sticks to every year...regardless of how many gifts?
Does he bring an equal # of gifts for each child @ your house?
About how many gifts does he bring?

I just can't stop shopping! I know Santa has enough already ~ but everytime I leave the house...I come home with many many packages.


Just wondering what goes on at everyone else's house.

 

[Tiggeroo]

my goal is $250. per child on the low end, $400. on the high end. I try really hard to keep the kids even. If it seems that one kid is unbalanced because I got deals on another I'll alter that rule. I'd spend more if I could but I also buy for 12 neices and nephews, 2 pollyannas, and my parents plus a few little misc. things. Also expenses are high at christmas with cookies, decorations, etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

At our house this year, Santa has decided we have enough stuff so he can give more to people that need it.

 

[kbkids]

Santa brings one big gift every Christmas morning - this year it is bikes.

Other than that, Mom and Dad buy everything else, and we open all of those gifts on Christmas Eve. We've spent about $300 per child this year.

 

[Barb D]

Three gifts from Santa because of the three wise men. That helps me put a limit on it. Clothes and books don't usually count toward the three.

This year I had about $100 limit per kid (including stocking stuffers) and actually kept it under about $130. I think I did OK.

 

[mom23boys]

Santa brings way too much. I do budget about $400 per child. But this year I found lots of stuff on sale for my 3yo and my 11 yo wanted the video IPOD. So I spent more on the older one.

I used to be able to have the same amount of gifts but since the oldest wants more expensive items it will not be even.

I do make sure that the other two boys have the same amount.

 

[Nancy]

I try to do $ amounts and number of presents. More number of presents, because sometimes I get some good deals. As the kids get older it is a bit harder to do, their toys are much more expensive (video games and stuff) With the clothes I buy it is exact amounts..so if one gets 2 pairs of jeans and 3 sweaters, that's what they all get. I also get one large family gift, this year I think it will be a new digital camera. One year it was the TV/DVD player for the car. Budget: usually whatever I can afford for that year, last year it was a lot, this year will be downsized.

 

[NMAmy]

Santa always brings one large gift and stocking stuffers.

Mommy, on the other hand, doesn't have anywhere near Santa's self-control. My big problem is that I forget what all I've stashed. By the time I dig it all out, I've gone way overboard!

 

[Sandcass]

Santa brings WAY too much here. I need to speak to him about that actually.

This year he's bringing them each a computer. (great BF best buy deal) Total this year we're probably spending about $500/kid. That's above our normal because of the computers. Normal would be maybe $200/kid. And we try to stay even, number of gifts and dollar amount.

 

[DwarfMaster]

I've always tried to give an equal amount of gifts with a fairly close value.....but this year I'm finding it very hard.
One wants Video Games & systems...and the other wants a barbie?

But if I try to keep them in the same $$$ range ~ one will have a much bigger pile on Christmas morning.


Then again ~ I think we as parents stress way too much over Christmas and the kids are generally happy with anything they get. They don't care about monetary value or who got more.

 

[corie161]

Normally Santa brings one bigger gift and stocking stuffers, but I'm struggling with what to do this year. I bought one a Nintendo DS and one a Leapster L-max with the intention that was the Santa gift. Well, when we visited Santa they asked for a Easybake oven and Knex, so they got that request. Price wise they are cheap so I can't decide if Santa should do 2 big gifts this year or if I should make the electronics from Mom and Dad...decisions, decisions.

 

[KelNottAt]

Santa: 3 gifts and stocking stuffers
Me and DH: 3 gifts + 1 ornament (total, jointly)
Me alone: 1 keepsake, classic book

No real budget...but we've been known not to get gifts due to their expense (computers, TVs, cell phones, etc.)

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Santa brings all the gifts. No gifts appear under the tree until Christmas morning. Santa puts them all there overnight. I'm trying to budget $400.00 per kid this year, but am probably going to go over because of the video game systems they want.

 

[ckay87]

This year was just going to be ONE gift for everyone - a new family computer.

Ya - right!

Then I went shopping. Managed to limit the rest to $100 per kid.

I actually have a holiday spreadsheet to keep things even and in check!

 

[eeyore kelly]

It depends on how much money Santa has. If santa has had a good year with lots of overtime, he overindulges. If Santa's has had a lean year, he counts every penny and brings a few big things.

 

[believe]

Santa brings 3 gifts for the 3 wisemen (1 big, 1 is clothing and 1 is spiritual focused). Mom and Dad bring 1 gift. DD7 know we are Santa...DD5 still believes. We stayed under $300 each this year. We have 14 nieces and nephews to buy for as well as DD7's B-day the day after Christmas...that don't count the other gifts for friends, grandparents, etc. I am somewhat glad we have to limit, otherwise I would be in debt besides my house and car

 

[mainewmn]

This year Santa is brining a trip to Disney to our house and Mom ad Dad will do the rest. Normally we do $400 on each child, but this year because of the added expenses we are doing $200 each plus one each big present DS 15 camera, DS 13 cell phone.

 

[ReneeA]

My kids are only 2 and 4. I have budgeted $150 apiece for them...which goes a long way at that age, especially when you shop sales. Big gifts: DS4 Brendam Docks for Thomas the Tank ($60 - had to buy on Ebay since it's been discontinued), DD2 Princess Kitchen ($48 on sale at TrU).

I try to even it up as far as gifts and money spent. I've done a good job so far - they each have the big gifts and 8 other presents apiece, and are only $5.00 apart. I still haven't gotten stocking stuffers, so I'm probably going to go about $25 over for each kid. My Grandmother crochets these really cute Santa Stockings that are 18" long and really WIDE. It costs a fortune to fill them, but they are cute as can be .

I don't spend a ton...we live a tiny house with no basement or garage...not alot of room. Plus, they end up getting gifts from all 5 sets of grandparents, and from my aunts and uncles (6 sets!), and DH & I's siblings (5 sets). It ends up being ridiculous by the time it's done.

Anyone else think things get a bit out of control after awhile?

 

[Tiggeroo]

my kids are older teens. So generally for the amount it's the one thing they want, ipod or video game, etc. Then they get a few smaller things like a robe, slippers, movie, card games, and a few tiny little things. So I will spend what it costs to do this. It usually comes out to around $250. per but it can go up. My kids are old enough to understand if it's a tight year.

 

[CharityLynn]

we do number of presents, I think we have about 10 presents per child.