Reasonable amount to spend on Christmas...

[AmberHeartsDisney]

cash! and id say 200

 

[eliza61]

Everyone's budget is different so there is no "right" answer, only the answer that's "right" for you. Having said that, we spent around $300 per child when ours were that age.

It's so tough as they get older because they want more expensive items. Last year one item alone for my DS was $200 (Ipod Touch). I have 3 younger children whose gifts cost way less so they end up getting a few more things than their older brother, which thankfully DS15 understands. So for my DS15 I spend about $300-$350 and the younger ones I spend about $150-$200.

Ditto
Every one's budget is different. My coworker has a 14 year old son who loves the Phillies. He got him and his son a 20 ticket game pack. set him back about 700 bucks but I thought that was waay better than another game system. So the amount is not the only thing to consider.

Is there some thing he particularly wants or has been asking for? My 16 year old wants his own laptop. He's doing more and more school work on his computer so we'll probably pick that up which could cost around 700 bucks.

My 16 yo niece is a fashon diva so I'll probably spend ~150 bucks on a gift card for an outfit.

no one answer except try to stay where you can afford.

 

[eliza61]

Hey you could be like P-Diddy and buy your son a $350,000 Mercedes Maybach for Christmas. Then we could really say it was overkill.

 

[kinntj]

This year my kids will run $250 a piece.

That's for American Girl stuff, Squinkies, 1 video game each, and they are asking Santa for Digital cameras this year. That doesn't include board games and misc. that are family gifts.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[scrapquitler]

Totally depends on your own budget and the types of gifts you want to give.

We have two kids (DDalmost 14) and DS 7. Last year we spent about $800 -$1000 total for Christmas.

BUT, I don't do any back to school shopping, and they get lots of clothes for Christmas (including socks, underwear, pjs, winter boots, gloves, hats, scarves), so that $$ that I don't spend in August/Sept goes toward the Christmas pile. I also buy lots of books and art supplies, which I would buy even if it wasn't Christmas. And there's always some sort of 'family' gift that is for everyone, again, something I would probably have bought anyway, even if it wasn't for Christmas.

I also don't buy Christmas gifts for ANYONE else but my kids. DH and I might spend $25-$50 on each other, but there's no gifts for in-laws, siblings, grandparents, friends, neighbors, co-workers or any of that.

It might sound like a lot, but probably $600 of it would have been spent anyway, and it doesn't hurt our budget at all, it is paid for up front, not lingering on credit cards or anything.

Bottom line, everyone is different. You shouldn't go into debt over it.

 

[crisi]

When DSS21 was younger I would spend prob 500 or more on him. YES it was prob over kill, but we were two income at the time and I have never been a parent that buys all year round if he wanted something most of the time he had to spend his own money unless it was shoes or clothes and even then if he wanted 100.00 pair of shoes he had to pay the difference.

At the time, he skateboarded, skateboards have to be replaced regularly , need parts etc .. all pretty pricey. I made him spend allowance the rest of year, but at xmas, we loaded him up for awhile . Video games, new systems , clothes, shoes and about 13 he started playing the guitar and he hunted and fished with DH.

My child had expensive hobbies lol.

Now I spend no more than 300 on him now , usually 100 cash and the rest clothes , shoes, socks , underwear because for some reason he doesn't replace his stuff when it gets ratty , guess it is a guy thing.

We are going through the same with our son - who is twelve. Skateboard and snowboard, the guitar, video games, shoes. Expensive hobbies. His primary Christmas present is likely to be a season pass to snowboard - received early.

What is reasonable is what you can afford to spend and what you think is appropriate for your parenting style. It isn't reasonable to spend $1000 that you don't have, but if you have it and that amount is ok with you, that's fine. And if you have a million dollars and you think its appropriate to get three gifts like Jesus got - and keep them small because you want to discourage materialism - that's fine too.

Also, some people really feel that Christmas should be just fun things, other people give shoes and underwear. A family trip is going to be expensive, but its probably just "partly Christmas" and partly a family vacation.

 

[tikilyn]

Reasonable is a very subjective word! LOL What's reasonable for one family may not be reasonable to another. Right now after reading all the replies I feel like the big spending of the bunch. But we can afford to spend the amount we do and I always use cash and plan ahead. Now if some years things get tight then my budget gets tight.

Last year I spend aprox 400.00 per child (dd 9 and ds10). This year it's heading into the range of 650.00 per child.

 

[Belle5]

What I am finding difficult is college students coming home for Christmas and the gifts for them look like nothing compared to when they were little. I got in on that Lego deal yesterday (from this board) and bought about $160 worth of Legos for about $72 (four boxes). This will make up the bulk of my seven year old's Christmas gifts from us. The packages will look somewhat "significant" under the tree. It will be similar with my twelve (soon 13 year old). I have a $150 budget for each of the six boys. Last year the oldest kids took back almost every Black Friday door-buster item that I wrapped for them (and they might get $5-10 for the return). I am so not doing that this year!!!! I did that to make it look like they had a lot of packages under the tree. I have to give up that idea! I need to somehow get it out of my head that there needs to be a lot of packages under the tree! It just seems so small to give each of the older boys two $50 gift cards and one $50 gift--but I think that's where it's heading. Sigh...I must admit, it does take a lot of pressure off of me... Last year I bought four $50 gift cards from a shoe store (one for each of the older four) and wrapped each in a large box to make it "look like something" under the tree.

 

[mindyd]

I completely agree that it is what you can afford and what they want. I have no idea what my girls will want this year we will use cash only and I will probably spend 600-1000 a kid it could be less depending on what the lists are and what sales I can get. It was so much easier when they were younger and you could get more for the money. I love waking up and having the room filled with presents.

 

[ilovejack02]

What I am finding difficult is college students coming home for Christmas and the gifts for them look like nothing compared to when they were little. I got in on that Lego deal yesterday (from this board) and bought about $160 worth of Legos for about $72 (four boxes). This will make up the bulk of my seven year old's Christmas gifts from us. The packages will look somewhat "significant" under the tree. It will be similar with my twelve (soon 13 year old). I have a $150 budget for each of the six boys. Last year the oldest kids took back almost every Black Friday door-buster item that I wrapped for them (and they might get $5-10 for the return). I am so not doing that this year!!!! I did that to make it look like they had a lot of packages under the tree. I have to give up that idea! I need to somehow get it out of my head that there needs to be a lot of packages under the tree! It just seems so small to give each of the older boys two $50 gift cards and one $50 gift--but I think that's where it's heading. Sigh...I must admit, it does take a lot of pressure off of me... Last year I bought four $50 gift cards from a shoe store (one for each of the older four) and wrapped each in a large box to make it "look like something" under the tree.

I thought about jumping on that deal for the legos , but I know what DS8 really wants is the Harry Potter Legos coming out ... so I had to skip it. Just gonna suck it up and pay full price boooo. THink I am going to put them on layaway on Kmart.com when they come out in a few weeks.

 

[superme80]

When I was 13 I asked for money. I got $78 for shopping and I think something small under the tree. DS isn't 2 yet. Last year money was really tight so we spent $20 on clothes and a toy. This year I am going to try and spend a little more, but not too much. Maybe around $30 or $40.

 

[Disney2012]

WOW!!! After reading these post, I feel like very cheap. Last year, we spent less than $250 for 3 boys at Christmas. 2DS (10) 1DS (8) Jesus was given 3 gifts, so we keep with this tradiation and each child gets 3 gifts and then we get a big family gift. Last year, digital camera($95, paid $0.26 after coupons, ECB), Remote control car ($17), Scooter ($54, paid $27 after coupons/discounts) for DS(10). DS(10)yes, I have twins! DVD player ($89, coupons, $10gift card, paid $38), Scooter ($54, paid $27), NDS game ($20, after coupon, paid $14). DS (8) Scooter ($54, paid $27), NDS game ($35) and Book bag (camo of course, $25). For their stockings, maybe $25 total, which included calcuators, pencils, Disney Dollars ($5) each, which were free from purchases throughout the year. Our family gift was AP to Disney, $1500, grandparents paid the remainder of the AP. So, we have been able to take 6 trips to Disney, and leave today for a 4n/3d trip . We live 4 hours away, so we get to go often.

As my boys get older the $$ may change, but the concept will never change, 3 gifts per child. This year we will not be getting the AP passes, but will try and stay under $300 for all of their Christmas.

Good for you for doing the three gifts, and don't feel cheap - feel wise! As each year passes, I see that my kids have more stuff than they need, while I worry more about finances. At a certain point, they don't appreciate it as much, and it's my own fault. You're smart to use coupons because you're still getting high-end gifts. A trip to Disney, even once, is like a trip of a lifetime, so that's a sizable gift. Also, the gift of time is always better.

 

[a1tinkfans]

What do you think is a reasonable amount to spend on a 13 year old for Christmas???

Your own child, right?
Well if it was something they really wanted...I do not really question the price so much....But I have an only ds and I generally buy whatever he wants for holidays and birthdays...if I could not afford too, I would not though...............so I guess my answer is...spend what you can afford to spend, and if its on Sale, WOoHOo

 

[quentina]

My oldest seems to get the most $$$$, usually around 600-700$. My little ones around 300-400 each. I am noticing my middle one is getting a little higher as she gets older.

I do go overboard, I start super early and buy lots. I always had a grand Christmas, I do the same for my kids.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I agree with everyone else, that reasonable is subjective to each family. I'd say we average about $250 per child. We typically buy whatever the girls ask for though, because they ask for so little at Christmas and year round. So, it varies year to year. This year dd19 wants a violin. Youngest dd hasn't asked for anything at this point.

 

[jacksmom]

I usually spend about $750. for ds (13)! And we spend about $150 each for me and dh! Most other family members habve opted out on gift exchanges!So, I am planning on spending $o on me and dh and about half that this year for ds since we have a trip planned and about $100for misc gifts! Hoping to use extra holiday gift, decoration, pictures, and food budget for WDW trip! I am wondering if this sounds to cheap though???

 

[hambirg]

What I am finding difficult is college students coming home for Christmas and the gifts for them look like nothing compared to when they were little. I got in on that Lego deal yesterday (from this board) and bought about $160 worth of Legos for about $72 (four boxes). This will make up the bulk of my seven year old's Christmas gifts from us. The packages will look somewhat "significant" under the tree. It will be similar with my twelve (soon 13 year old). I have a $150 budget for each of the six boys. Last year the oldest kids took back almost every Black Friday door-buster item that I wrapped for them (and they might get $5-10 for the return). I am so not doing that this year!!!! I did that to make it look like they had a lot of packages under the tree. I have to give up that idea! I need to somehow get it out of my head that there needs to be a lot of packages under the tree! It just seems so small to give each of the older boys two $50 gift cards and one $50 gift--but I think that's where it's heading. Sigh...I must admit, it does take a lot of pressure off of me... Last year I bought four $50 gift cards from a shoe store (one for each of the older four) and wrapped each in a large box to make it "look like something" under the tree.

I understand where you are coming from. My Mom is always concerned about making it look like there is a lot under the tree. I used to be that way when the kids were smaller too. But I have slowly moved away from that and would rather get my kids just a few bigger things than a bunch of little things they don't want, use or play with. Besides, with all the stuff my nephew gets it literally takes about 6hrs to open presents. . .it becomes tedious. . .the kids get tired and cranky. I sooo don't want to do the big, extended family thing anymore, but every year it's an issue. I think your older ones will be fine with the GC's as long as it's for something you know they really want. Of all the things my nephew got last year, the GC I gave him for X-box Live was his favorite. . .and I bought it with another GC I got free for buying my kids the Wii.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I think it does really depend on the age of the kids and if they are boys or girls. My nephew is 14 and my sister spends about $500 on him every year as an average, he gets some video games, and a big present ( ipod touch or xbox etc..). Since you have a girl, you can buy her clothes and she would probably be happy, or at least my Dneice19 always was at that age.

My DD6 has a birthday a few weeks after Christmas so I have a double whammy.

I have noticed the amount I spend goes up every year as she gets older, last year it was around $700 for Christmas ($200 was on the Santa gift)and $300 for her birthday. I never give her clothes for Birthday or Christmas, I think of clothes as staples at her age,as she gets older that will change, I hope.

This year I have some bought, I have a DS and 4 or 5 games for it, a Kodak Flip video camera, and several smaller smaller toys. I still have a few things I want to get her including a AG doll for her birthday.

 

[TandLMommy28]

It depends on our budget from year to year. Some years we travel at Christmas and that is a big "gift" for the kids because we spend so much on travel to go see their grandparents. And they get so many gifts when they get there that we don't feel we need to buy them much. But on years we don't go, I tend to buy them more. I've spent as litle as $25 total and as much as $300 (when my daughter was 2, I bought her the Loving Family Doll House and all the furniture sets, knowing it would be a long-term investment because they'd both use it for years to come... she and my son still play with it regularly so it was worth it).