Reasonable amount to spend on Christmas...

[aprilgail2]

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.

Thats what I do----I only have one so its really fun to fill the room with gifts for CHristmas morning! Though with her getting older the gifts are getting much smaller- ipod touchs, nintendo games etc...don't take up much space!!

 

[Belle5]

Though with her getting older the gifts are getting much smaller- ipod touchs, nintendo games etc...don't take up much space!!

I think this is part of the problem, too--as far as that "image" we have in our minds of what the package volume should look like under the tree! Ipods and a lot of the newer gadgets don't look like big Lego sets under the tree!

 

[chrisn]

I have two. DD-22, DS-13. I spend the same amount on both of them. I try to stay around $500 per kid. I usually end up spending about $650. I usually do 1 big thing, a few medium, and several small items. We have always done this and feel comfortable with it.

This year DS is getting the Itouch for his big item so that eats up a good chunk right there.

It's all subjective and based on individual feelings and finances. I try to keep my entire X-mas budget at $1500. I do usually go about $1800 and everything is paid with cash. I NEVER charge X-mas!

 

[Minnie]

I'm not sure there should be or is an "reasonable" set dollar amount. Totally depends on your budget.

Spend what you are comfortable with no matter if anyone else thinks it's too much or not enough - only you know what works for your family

 

[griergirl2]

Right now DD is 2 so I am sure we'll have to spend more when she gets older This year, however, we will be able to keep it under $100 for her stocking presents, presents from us, and her Santa present. Growing up Santa brought one big gift each year and we've decided to keep that going for DD..afterall, there is only so much room on his sleigh The rest of her gifts are from us.

 

[patsal]

My children will be 15 and 19 this Christmas. I usually spend about $500 each, Most items are like $100 so about 5 things each. When they were younger I could do Christmas for $500 total, but big kids gifts are expensive. I am planning on cutting back on the 19 yo this year.

Out of the house is $100 per family. So each of my nieces will get a $50 gift and each of my nephews will as well. I do not get my sisters or their hubbys anything, My parents will get $100 each, and my MIL will also get $100. DH and I do not really get one another gifts we just do stockings cause they were both of our favorite part of Christmas whe we were kids.

 

[inkedupmomma]

this year, I am really hoping for a reasonably awesome diamond ring..just in my stocking though

 

[StitchBuddy]

Wow, I wondered what everyone else spent. Thanks for all your replies! I know it is such a personal choice. That being said, I sometimes feel like a Scrouge compared to some of her friends parents. We could afford to buy her pretty much whatever she wants, but I alway try to keep it under $150 and have only once spent over $200, including Santa (that was the year she got a Nintendo DS). I also try to make it look like there's a lot under the tree. To do this I wrap everything in BIG boxes. First, it makes it harder to figure out what the items are and second, I like the way it looks under the tree.

 

[jemmouse]

I think it all depends on your financial status at that time. No one should be looked upon in a different light if they spend more, each and everyone of us is an adult and knows what our checkbook can handle. Now if you are overspending your budget and it will affect your family the rest of the year perhaps then its time to tighten up the spending. Bottomline do what fits your lifestlyle and the heck with what others say....

I am a wrapping nut. I just love watching my son unwrap his presents, I even wrap everything in his socking. I will wrap one present put in a bigger box and wrap again. Anything to make the magic of that morning last longer...

To me Christmas is magical, just pure joy...Its the best when your child opens that one present that they have so been wanting and to see that face, now that is PRICELESS...One year it was a Xbox, but the other year it was a certain baseball card. Price ranges but that smile is always present..

 

[superme80]

I have two. DD-22, DS-13. I spend the same amount on both of them. I try to stay around $500 per kid. I usually end up spending about $650. I usually do 1 big thing, a few medium, and several small items. We have always done this and feel comfortable with it.

This year DS is getting the Itouch for his big item so that eats up a good chunk right there.

It's all subjective and based on individual feelings and finances. I try to keep my entire X-mas budget at $1500. I do usually go about $1800 and everything is paid with cash. I NEVER charge X-mas!

That is awesome!!!!


I forgot we usually travel to San Diego from the Bay Area during Thanksgiving or Christmas. We either went to Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm. My parents budgeted really good and we never stayed on property. So I am sure that was a huge chunk of the Christmas budget right there. I loved the times with my family!!!!

 

[NewmanFamily6]

We spend $300 per child. DD13's pile looks mighty small next to the little kids but she knows we spend the same money.

 

[shortbun]

My own child, DD13.

Is this your only child or are there other siblings in your family? I have an only child and I'm sure we spend more on him than most people do on theirs but there is no one there to see him open his gifts but us, no jealously, no comparing...I tell him it's part of the benefit to being an only. Last year, when the wrapping paper had been thrown away we had spent nearly $900. There were three big items and then many things that he needed-not wanted-but they got thrown in there to enhance the haul. Things like underwear, socks, t-shirts, school supplies, batteries.
This year, I already know he's getting a phone that he's been wanting - that's $250 right off the bat. Likely it will be another $900 Christmas. He is appreciative, greatful, a great student and well behaved at 15. He's worth it and he doesn't brag or show off to his friends.

We only buy for neices and nephews outside our family-3 kids. We also make a large family donation or buy gifts for a family needing assistance.