POLL- $$$ per child Christmas gifts

[asmit4]

I know everyone is in a different place, with different aged kids. I'm just wondering what the 'average' is for DISers.
How much do you spend per child for Christmas gifts?

 

[pklein09]

We have 4 kids, so Christmas can get very expensive very quickly. I'm pretty good about keeping that limit at $250 - $300 per kid. I start shopping over the summer (especially when we're on vacation at WDW) and continue through the Fall to spread the cost out.

 

[Megkel]

I try really hard to keep it at $100. Sometimes I'm a bit over. She is only 7 plus her birthday is in Feb so anything she doesn't get for Christmas she ends up with for her birthday.

 

[poohfriend77]

I voted $200-300, but really it depends on their lists, vs. just our budget. It was probably a bit more than that last year, because they both got iPod Touches and some bigger Lego Friends sets. But I try not to buy random stuff, just so they have more presents or I spend an equal amount. (Yeah, I know that sounds like common sense, but I do find myself falling into that trap!) So far there is nothing "big" on their lists this year (although DD8 will probably ask for an AG doll).

We are heading to WDW in January, so I'm thinking we may go a little lighter on the gifts, and put a bigger Disney gift card in each of their stockings.

 

[Juliet25]

DH and I just discussed this last night. We're trying to keep it to $100 a kid (we have 3). It's lower than normal, but we want to go to WDW for spring break. Last year we spend considerably more on our two girls, and most of that stuff does not get played with.

 

[DawnM]

Depends on the year.

$200-$400 on average but I try to keep it even.

 

[njmom47]

I try and get one "big" thing and a couple of smaller (less expensive) things but my kids are older.
I answered 100-150. We have never really gone crazy spending for Christmas.

 

[luvmy3]

I've never really had a set amount to spend on each child, I focused on equal amount of gifts under the tree. I try to stay under $350 for each, some years its way under for somebody and some years its not. My dd is asking for a $300 item, so she'll get a few more things but that is all. My dses aren't asking for much at all, but dh wants to get my dses something that is going to end up costing way more than that. I don't want to spend more on dd for the sake of spending so I'll put the difference in her "car fund" since she'll be turning 16 not too long after Christmas.

 

[kkandaj]

I voted 100-150, but try to keep it closer to $100. They are young and still love things like coloring books and journals, so keeping it low is pretty easy at this age.

So excited because we were going to buy DD her dance competition jacket for Christmas for around $60. Someone that moved sent me theirs for free so I just have to pay $16 to have the old name taken off and the DD's name embroidered on.

My boss' wife also found Kanani's dress at the Goodwill for $3 and gave it to me. I'm going to try and find some Kanani books to go with it.

We don't give a ton of gifts anyway, so I might end up being way under budget for DD this year!

She wants Santa to bring her "anything from Justice."

 

[superme80]

We try and keep it less than $100 per kid. Their birthdays are at the end of November and middle of January, so I am already going broke. This year I have 3 boys to buy for. Thankfully the youngest won't care if his present is a box of diapers and a onesie.

 

[ceemys]

I normally keep it at $100. They have so much stuff. But this year we will be in our new house by Thanksgiving, so it will be about $50 per kid. I am putting money into their bedroom decorations and new beds.

As for Ipods and such. I make them buy their own electronics. If they want it that bad, then they have to work for it. I will buy itunes GC for games, but refuse to buy the device.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Now that our children are older and we are financially comfortable, I try to keep it under $500 a kid. Some years it's much less. We generally don't buy gifts any other time of the year. Birthdays we keep at one or two gifts so I tend to go overboard at Christmas. I like to get them one big gift and then three (under $50) gifts from Santa. However, two year's ago, my son got a $1000 bass guitar for Christmas. He uses it for Church choir and jazz band so I didn't feel guilty about spending more on him.

When the three kids were little, I could do an entire Christmas for under $100! Now, I'd rather buy a quality item like an instrument or laptop. Thankfully, we still have not had a request for a cell phone!

 

[Jeff_G]

We try to keep it to about $100 per kid and we match that with an equal donation to charity during the season.

Ive noticed as they get older it does get more expensive, both birthdays and Christmas.

 

[set1208]

We are fortunate to have a big extended family so when grown ups buy for the kids, we all agree that the gifts are given to the parents without the kids seeing. Our tree never has gifts under it until Christmas Eve, after the kids go to bed. We put all the gifts under the tree so when the kids wake up, the room is filled and it looks like they hit the mother load...lol. We have four kids so it fills quickly. This cuts down on how obligated we feel to fill under the tree ourselves.

We tend to get each kid one big gift, then a few extra smaller things. Our dd3 doesn't get expensive things yet. She doesn't know any better. One year we got our boys iPod touches and our oldest dd an iPhone. Another year my kids got bikes. Our usual amount seems to be about 250-300.

This year, it'll be a smaller Christmas as they don't have any expensive needs or wants. Plus, we are sponsoring a family of five kids who are being raised by their grandparents so hopefully my kids will get a little lesson in charity.

 

[runwad]

We have 3 teenagers and spend around 300 per kid. Sounds like a lot but now that they're older they want more expensive things so might only get a couple of things each. I love to not have to do all that wrapping like when they were little.

 

[Blessedwithboys]

I am shooting for 250.00-300.00 for each child! Mine are very young but we do tend to over buy..... :/ Ever since DS5 has gotten into Legos I upped the budget. Most sets are 25-50 each and we like to get them a few items!! On their lists this year are plasma cars, Legos for older DS, Disney infinity gaming system, and a train table for younger DS it adds up quickly!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have pre-ordered the new PS4 and NBA2K14 for our DS, which puts me over $500 already.

This is one of the few times of the year I feel blessed to have an only child .

 

[bas71873]

I voted over $500 too sadly. We have an only child and I freely admit that I go a little crazy at Christmas. I just love lots of loot under the tree. I can't help it. Her birthday is in July so the gift giving gets spread out.

I actually think this year I may get off a little cheaper than usual since she's over the American Girl stuff and she's not into any electronics and already has her iPod. The only thing she's asked for so far is the Lego Friends cruiseship and cowboy boots, both of which I've already picked up.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

We usually spent $350 total for ALL the Christmas gift we buy.
1. We are not made of money and we live within our means. We never go into debt to give gifts. Some years our 'gift' to each other is heating oil in the tank. Also our younger child is in college and will graduate next spring- no extra money.

2. DH is from an enormous family and we give the nieces and nephews $5 Mc Ds cards and that comes to about $75 but folks are still having more kids so that one goes up every year.

3. We buy gifts that are useful- things we need. I would knock my husband upside the head with my iron skillet if he bought me jewelry. I don't like wearing it, other than my wedding rings, and there are things we need more than bling.
Our kids' senior years of HS they got dorm stuff for Christmas- bedding, towels, etc. Our son plans to marry his college sweetheart Sept 2014 and for Christmas they will be getting a Dave Ramsay book, Financial Peace U. CDs and the CD-Rom program to manage and track money. On Sale for $24 for the whole shebang.

4. We try to not purchase "gifts" for our parents- what they really want is for us to spend time with them. God knows they already have a house full of cr@p, they don't need more.

5. We invest in our farm. We (as a couple) don't mind delaying gratification and working hard for what we want. The money we spent years ago on pecan trees will be paying big dividends in a few short years- and for the next 100 years. Have you looked at the prices for pecans in the stores? And what you buy in the store is like buying a "fresh" tomato in January. Our pecans taste SO much better there is no comparison. And one day, in the next 5 - 10 years, we can retire and simply enjoy our farm.

6. We have found that the thing we enjoy most is having time together, and that is free.

Your mileage may vary

 

[Disneybuckeye]

We usually spend between $400 - $600 per child depending on how crazy I go. I do spend exactly the same on each and make sure they all have the exact same number of presents under the tree. I do always have to write at least one, and sometimes all three, a check as one of their presents.

My kids have also learned if they turn their checks back in, and then go clothes shopping with me after Christmas ,they tend to get way more than their check was worth. Since they are all in their early twenties I don't get to spend as much time with them as I like so this is a win-win for all of us.