Anyone buying a totally NOT frugal Christmas present?

[dinah]

Was hestitant to post this because its so not frugal but here goes My Dad who was the most frugal guy I know always made a big deal of Christmas gave my brother and I very nice gifts as children and as adults He always gave out alot of money, I have followed in his footsteps and I give my four adult children and gift bag with things they need and a large check. Thier spouses get a gift bag and a smaller check I scrimp save and work all year to do this secretly saving money I hide in a drawer. This year they each got 1000.00 dollars Some would say its over the top but the look on thier faces every year is so worth it . I estimate Christmas costs me 5000.00 a year and as long as I can do it without going in to debt I will continue to do so.

as long as you're not going into debt to do this i think it's wonderful.

my grandparents have always always always been very generous at christmas time and it is always always always uber appreciated by me and the other grandchildren and children. money is so tight at christmas and it's wonderful to have that cushion and be able to make some good purchases.

[Lora88]

I hope I can do things like this when my kids are grown. My parents have been very generous with us. When our kids were little they went nutty with the presents. As they've gotten older they've scaled down a bit which I appreciate- we don't need more stuff. BUT instead they buy us one big thing that we need for our family each year. It might not be at Christmas- it happens at the time we need it most. They've bought us cars, appliances, furniture. This year it was a new A/C and Furnace. We don't ask...but it is something they WANT to do for us and can afford to do. My husband's parents usually give us $1000 at some point during the year too- a little here, a little there. What I would really LOVE to do when we are grandparents is contribute each year to a 529 college savings plan for our grandchildren. Even just a little bit each year. Maybe a smallish present at birthdays and then a 529 contribution. Anyways, I bet that felt great to give that! Good for you!

Thank you One year my Dad gave out 20,000 checks my brother and i were thrilled. I have 4 kids and a son and daughter in law so it does get expensive and Im not rich like my Dad was. But i only give them 2 gifts a year 100.00 on thier birthdays and their Christmas present They are wonderful children and I am happy to be able to do it for them