How much do you spend per kid for Christmas?

Jessica - posted on 08/14/2012

I spend 100 dollars per child my eldest is 10 and my youngest is 2. when christmas came last year my eldest understood that he may only have 4 gifts while the younger ones got 7. we sat him down and explained that his gifts were going to cost more than the younger childrens did. He completely understood. He loved his gifts the more for me and my husband had gotten him the one thing he wanted most and than got him a few little thing. I am a stay at home mom as well and my children know that they cant get what they want all the time. I think as long as you tell your kids what you are thinking and and explain what your goals are to your children they will understand.
My son this past summer saved all his money from chores, helping family and dog walking that he bought himself his i pod and he charishes it more than anything because he bought it himself he understood that we could not afford it so he took the anititave to do it for himself. He told me this christmas he did not want anything because he wanted to get what he wanted for himself. I am so proud of him!

Angela - posted on 12/11/2011

i try to budget about £50 per child, although with stocking fillers i think i've gone over by about £10 each this yr. its made a bit easier to keep to as they have a seperate clothing budget but these can get wrapped up for xmas too.

Shannon - posted on 11/22/2011

my kids vary in age (12, 8, 5) so it just doesn't work out to spend the same amount per kid...that would mean 1 or 2 gifts for my 12 year old and a truckload for my 5 year old, LOL.

So, We make sure each kid gets 10 presents to open, regardless of cost. We also try to include at least one, large combined gift. I would say we spend between $1000-1200 total for Christmas.

DH and I rarely get each other something, and if we do it's just some candy or a movie/book.

Ivana - posted on 11/22/2011

I buy 2 main gifts, something my son really want's and then i buy 4-5 smaller gifts!! For my son its usally 2 Xbox games and then a few other things he was just mentioning during the year so i would say about $ 400-$500!! But this year i have my 8 month old aswell so i would say my budget for this year is between $600-$750 thats including my husbands gift!!!

Jaime - posted on 11/21/2011

It really depends on the child, my oldest is 7, then a 1 year old and a newborn so I wouldn't spend $300 on each - the oldest wants of course the more expensive toys like electronic games and remote control stuff where as my toddler would get educational things for his age.

LauraBeth - posted on 11/21/2011

We spend around 400 on each kids plus their stocking stuffers so I guess around 500 (we have two kiddos) end the end we usually spends close to 1600+ on the whole family not including the gas, food, and stay along the way. But I completly agree with Candhl Williamson, it is all about what you can afford to spend, I start saveing and shopping all thru the year thou for gifts (thank goodness for a big closet, lol) Oh and me and My hubby do not exchange gifts with each other ever! we have one income and we buy stuff throught the year for each other and found it silly to get a "gift" for each other just because a holiday, anniversary, or birthday says we should

Candhl - posted on 11/21/2011

I think it all depends on how much you can afford to spend. I wouldn't ever spend more than I could afford, or use bill money or credit cards, EVER! This year I will most likely spend around $400 on my son not including buying him a 4 wheeler (his big present) and that will be about $600. My hubby and I usually spend around $500 on each other since our anniversary is right after Christmas.

Tamyra - posted on 11/20/2011

We have kids ranging from 21 months to 26 years. A yours mine and ours deal. We use to spend $100 a person, but that got to expensive. Now that most of them are adults we don't really put a price on things. We get them one or two things they would like and spend a little more on the 21 month old. Siblings don't buy for each other or us. We try to just be together and have fun without the financial stress. I make breads and goodies for other family members when I go to my parents. It is tougher when the kids are younger, but we do this and it works for us.

Wendi - posted on 11/15/2011

Hubby and I will list rough prices for items we have found we think the other will like and whoever's gift price is highest that will be the cap for husband/wife gifts. As for the kids... with a 17 year old and a 2 year old it all depends on what they happen to be into or what Mom thinks will be age appropriate for the following year. Not that the 2 year old is not just as happy playing with the boxes that all the gifts come in. Buy a 50 dollar gift they look at it and then play with the box the rest of the day. least that's been my exp so far with little one. A household gift tends to be family movies or a new video game or this year possibly a new roof.

Alicia - posted on 11/15/2011

WOW, I really feel cheap. We have 3 boys with one income. We draw brother/sister names and our kids do a cousin drawing. And me and my husband have divorced paretns so we have to buy for them and their spouse. So I spend about $75.00 per kid and $50.00 for me and my husband. And 1 big family present. So I mainly do my christmas on Black Friday and get all the killer deals.

Kelly - posted on 11/14/2011

This year, my kids have had 200-300 spent on them each. Next year, when they're old enough for santa, they'll probably get less presents, more stocking stuffers. there will be a third child to buy for next year anyway. Also, my family is huge, and the kids get plenty off them, so I don't need to spend as much.

Dashanda - posted on 11/10/2011

We spending $200 on our son usually 10 gifts because grandparents always spoil him rotten.Hubby and I are exchanging gifts this year.Happy Hoildays shopping!

Katherine - posted on 11/08/2011

Hi Jennifer S

I need to know how you do X-mas shopping for 4 kids on a $200 budget. My mom was the same way and I dont understand how you do it. what is your secret. I would love to spend less.

Katherine - posted on 11/08/2011

we usual spend around $200 to $250 per kid. and we dont put a tap on each other. You are not being cheap. I find myself always getting what will be useful so less toys and more practical stuff. Outdoor toys, learning toys, books. The only thing I really put a budget on is family members i.e. in laws and my side of the family. $20 max. I put my family -kids and hubby always first.

Teresa - posted on 10/26/2011

Oh, I'm single so no spousal gift exchange. I pretty much only ever buy for my kids too.

Teresa - posted on 10/26/2011

I don't have a 'budget'. I just spend what I spend.

My girls have their birthday 12 days before Christmas, so I typically just count what I spend for December total. Last year (when they turned 9) I spent about $350 total for them and their 2.5 year old brother.

I've already spent $80 for their birthday (books). I'm going to try and get away w/ spending as close to $100 for Christmas as possible. It might be close to $200 total though....

Jessica - posted on 10/26/2011

Back when We had one kid and we were both working, The entire living room was filled with gifts, literally. Now we have 3 kids and I stay at home. We just set our Christmas budget 2 days ago, and what we have already bought has to be added in to that budget. We set a $150 limit on each child, and since both my husbands and my birthdays are in the first week of December, we always buy ourself birthday gifts and buy our Christmas gifts with income taxes. Christmas is all about the kids here. And if we hadn't just moved and having to pay an extra $600 a month that we didn't pay before, the budget would be much higher. I think last year it was around $300 per child, plus a lot of board games and hair bows for all three girls from Santa. I still have no clue what Santa will be bringing this year.

Brittany - posted on 10/26/2011

I'm actually starting up a buisness with it, so I don't feel comfortable sharing the recipe. However this one is pretty close. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/choc... I highly suggest doing it in single batches so that you get a creamier consistency.

Jamie - posted on 10/26/2011

If you don't mind, would you share your fudge recipe? I LOVE to cook and try new things. I usually just do a Christmas card, which is usually a portrait of my kids or our family, and some treats for neighbors, family, friends etc. I come from a fam of 9 kids and my Husband's fam has 11 kids, so WAAAAYYY too many ppl to buy gifts for, so we don't even try. Treats are good enough! :) We usually buy a gift for our parents though.

Brittany - posted on 10/26/2011

Our max is $100 per. This year because my son will only be at most 2 weeks old, his present will be most likely under $10. My daughter's present was over $100, but it ties into her birthday (which is 4 weeks prior). I'm only spending around $40 on her birthday, so in the end I'm under budget for both. I only do one present and stockings that is it. They'll get plenty from grandparents and really we don't need the clutter.

It is pretty easy to keep costs down for all of us. We buy a family gift with our tax return most years. My husband and I like the same things for the most part, so that means we have to get pretty creative on gifts. We don't want to get something for the other that we ourselves want just as much.

It sounds horrid but we don't buy gifts for the rest of the family. Normally I make fudge for everyone (of which my SIL loves as it has no gluten). This year we can't since that extra money has to go to medical bills for the birth. Not to mention I doubt I'll have the energy for it.

Jennifer - posted on 10/26/2011

I have 4 kids, and we try to keep everything around $200. Christmas is a fun and exciting time. The kids of course love getting presents, but I don't ever want them to lose sight of the true meaning of that day.

Sherri - posted on 10/26/2011

My kids are 14, 13 & 5 we avg. about $1,500 on Christmas between the 3 of them. Then an additional $500 on my parents and 7 nieces and nephews.

Denikka - posted on 10/26/2011

For us anyways, the only reason it get's to be $500-$600 is because we like to buy a big ticket item. Our first Christmas with kids we decided to buy an Xbox 360, which was over $300 in and of itself :P This year we have a few options that we're looking into; laptop, wii, etc :P

Tameka - posted on 10/26/2011

$1000??? Really??? Wow! I'd be lucky to spend over $200 TOTAL and that includes 3 sets of grandparents, 3 aunts, an uncle, 5 cousins, my 2 girls and my hubby and me. My youngest was born on Christmas Day so I will probably go over the $200 mark if I include her birthday in the total. I've noticed my children don't want those expensive flashy toys. They got those from my side of the family last year and my girls lost interest in them by the end of January. My eldest loves what she calls 'pretty clothes' so I will be getting her a couple of nice outfits. She doesn't really play with toys apart from her favourite teddy which gets a workout with her imagination! My youngest is happy with anything she can claim her own, lol!

Denikka - posted on 10/25/2011

It usually depends on how much we have to be ABLE to spend. Our kids are super young (2.5 years and 9 months at the moment) and for our first Christmas (with just the oldest), it cost about $600 total. Last Christmas was WAY cheaper at about $200 total. This year, we shall see, but it'll probably be around $500-$600.