How much do you spend per child?

**Sumacaroni** · 10-23-2011, 08:09 AM

Great thread, I am always curious about this as it seems my kids tell me about other families where their friends (middle/high school) are getting a laptop or a 40" tv for their room or whatever and I think, "gee that's crazy" but just say, "oh well we can't afford that" but it does make me believe those are just wishes, can't possibly be every other kid's family is spending more than we do. lol

Anyway, I budget $125 for each kid (x3) plus another $125 ($40 for each) for stocking stuffers and "bonus" gifts in case I come across something I think is cool for them, something they wouldn't necessarily think to put on their wish lists. So my aim is to stay under $500 for all the kids.

Each of the kids shops for the other two siblings and stays under $15 each. And they each like to buy something for me and DH, again we ask them to stay under $15 for each. They pay for those things themselves and we've found that doing this since they started school has really taught them a great deal about budgeting and bargain-hunting and they put a lot of thought into the gifts. Having a $60 budget and 4 gifts to buy has been a challenge they really enjoy!

**Missourimom** · 10-23-2011, 08:18 AM

We'll give our two grown daughters and son-in-law $100.00 each and a shirt/sweater each. We'll spend about $200 on dd10 plus stocking stuffers and about $75 for our granddaughter.

**Ashley01** · 10-23-2011, 08:25 AM

I budgeted about 500 for dd, I may end up a bit over but everything will be paid in cash. I used 300 for Santa/stocking and 200 for under the tree... Santa brings the bigger gifts this so the 200 should go a bit farther.

**imagine** · 10-23-2011, 05:20 PM

We only try to keep it "fair" my making sure each child has a wow present from someone sometimes it is from us some years it is from a grandparent.

What makes a wow present depends on likes wants and age.
It is not always the amount the present cost that makes the wow.

The amount we spend on the kids has increased as they have aged a dollar ball does not have the same wow factor it did when they were little Lol

**nodmicks** · 10-23-2011, 05:49 PM

I spend $150 per child.

**wanderlusting** · 10-24-2011, 11:52 AM

My guys are a year and a half so they don't know what's going on LOL

I budgeted $40 each- I bought them each a Special Agent Oso stuffed animal. Then as a Santa gift, I got them a big car ramp/racer thing for $40 to share.

I know I'll be spending more each year as they get older

**brennasmom** · 10-24-2011, 12:55 PM

No specific budget. This year DD is getting a new bedding set including a new comforter. This will be expensive to get good quality. She will also get a few small things (art supplies, etc...)

DS really wants batman sheets so he may get new bedding as well... and a couple video games

**oheoh's momma** · 10-24-2011, 01:24 PM

Ok in the past it was around 500 per child we have 4 together. This started when my husband died I spent one of her social security checks on her for Christmas and her birthday ( they are 15 days apart) and I do not buy toys except for Christmas and birthdays. When we got remarried we did it this way for kids because it was jacked up Jahova Witness but not practicing put up tree and a five dollar gift we are poor. This is not knocking anyones religion I know several people who practice and still give their children toys for no reason for them to have.
We have reduced that amount to 200 per child .
The adults we spend about 100 dollars a piece.
We open gifts up on Christmas morning after the church bells chime. Then we watch the Christmas Story and have homemade Chinese food for dinner. We enjoy it so.
I save a little a year long for it and start shopping for non clothing items in summer so we can do it all. hugs pen

**brenda67** · 10-24-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by mh3rdwheel

Brenda I am sorry that you are unemployed, I too say that I do not want anything for Xmas, I rather have the kids and family around. My fil and sil are coming for the holidays this is a Xmas present in itself, my fil has not spoken nicely to us in 9 years and now he talksto us and has dinner at our house, etc.

Kids at least older kids sometimes understand stuff. I think that the holidays are for family I would rather have family then presents.

Hugs, you have wonderful and understanding kids.

HUGS, I thank you for your thought's..I truly am thankful that I'm no longer employed there simply because it was sucking the life out of me...I feel bad for my remaining co-workers that are still in that he%% whole..I'm very thankful for my dh being so supportive and being able to support us financially...As far as my older boy's asking for nothing for Christmas I don't think it has anything to do with me not working? My dh makes a good enough income..I think it's just because they have either bought what they wanted with their own money and they really lack for nothing..

**mommy2many** · 10-24-2011, 02:36 PM

This year for each the budget is set at $40 per child. The way everything is going right now even that will be hard to come up with. I think this is the most depressing year so far!

But I guess i should rememebr Christmas isn't about how many gifts you give your kids! I do think that this will be a good lesson for the kids.

**Imarachne** · 10-24-2011, 07:48 PM

In our family we always said that there was never enough money for Christmas but these days its true !

**brennasmom** · 10-24-2011, 07:51 PM

One thrifty idea I am doing for my 12 year old is collecting a bunch of the free cards you see deals for and putting them together in an art box (free deal). Keep your eye peeled and you can get some fun items for the kids.

**GrantsMom** · 10-25-2011, 06:16 AM

After going ridiculously overboard for my son's 1st Christmas and 2nd Christmas, we set a budget of $200 this year. I did 2 big lay-a-way orders from Kmart in September and October. September's will be paid off next week!!

These will all be Santa gifts. I have to still get stocking stuffer's (dollar store!!) and a new pair of Christmas pj's (he gets these on Christmas eve so he can wear them for pictures Christmas morning).

My husband did start a tradition last year of a "gift from Daddy"....and will do that again this year. That will be $25-$30.

It's easy at this age to stay within a budget because he thinks simple things like a matchbox car ($1) or playdoh ($1) are the greatest things ever. I know the older he gets the more expensive the presents get!