Christmas thoughts in July

**dndylfe** · 07-23-2005, 01:53 AM

I know that it's only July, but dh and I have hotly been debating Christmas plans for this year. This is the first year that we'll have a bonus and so actual money to spend on the holiday---I'm in favor of placing most of the bonus in savings, but he wants to finally have a Christmas. I know, I know, I really am probably being stingy, but I just don't want to go overboard now that we have some.

So here are my questions:

How much do you normally spend per person for Christmas? For family members? (we both have large families, but luckily only draw names for one sibling per side to give to) For each other? Budgeting for special dinners? Do you give very large gifts or practical gifts (we always got underwear as children) for this holiday or save them for birthdays? Do you limit the number of gifts? How do you stop the gimmees?

Well, that's probably enough for one thread. I really appreciate your input.

**Goodi2shooz** · 07-23-2005, 03:10 AM

We have a double dilemma in December.... 4 birthdays! 2 best friends, hubby, and eldest daughter.. so we really have to watch the spending... I think this year we are really gonna keep it down since implementing the new budget to pay down and eliminate our many credit cards. For the birthday gifts, it's all cards and food, either homemade or take out. For Christmas we try to go home made or very inexpensive (5 dollars or less) for outside relatives, and one pricier present for me, dh, and the 2 kids. Last year got out of hand completely, as it seemed like a contest to outbuy one another... that isn't gonna happen this year.

**jlxian** · 07-26-2005, 02:39 PM

This past Christmas we tried to stay with $25 for gifts per person and then $75 for each of our kids. We had only 2 adults besides each other to buy for, and I made gifts for the ladies I work with (flavored instant coffees with a mug from the $1 store). Still it was a challenge for us to stay within the limits we had set. This was the first year we put limits on our Christmas spending.

My husband put his foot down early in our marriage about practical gifts at Christmas --- so now Christmas gifts are usually books, music, clothes, etc.

I think you are wise to be thinking of how to handle the bonus you will be getting. Maybe you can bank half or 2/3 and spend the rest on a nice holiday? Good luck!

**i.m.cheap** · 07-26-2005, 03:01 PM

We always do a $100 budget for Christmas. This does not include food served, but does include gifts, decorations, Christmas cards, and postage to mail cards. Makes for a simple holiday, but we like it, and we don't have to stress out about spending too much. DH and I limit our gifts to each other to $10, we spend $50 on dd, and about $10 on each of the two grandsons.

**tnmimzie** · 07-26-2005, 04:31 PM

I stick to $4 or less for our nieces and nephews, and then try to be as frugal as I can be on the rest. I tend to pick up a lot of things at thrift stores and yard sales throughout the year, which really helps. I've managed to get one of my sisters 4 presents for this coming Christmas for only $2, and they're all things I know she'll love. Then for my husband I've been cashing in my survey points to get his presents. Takes a little time to do surveys, but I'd rather give up time than money. We don't have an official budget for the kids, but shopping year round keeps that pretty cheap too.

**Early Bird** · 07-26-2005, 05:52 PM

Gifts are not my love language, so I don't go overboard on gifts.

But, I found that, if we do Christmas Eve church, then unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, the rest of the day hangs a bit flat. So, I made plans to perk up the day in a non-gift way:

* Lots of pre-made meals and treats, so nobody has to spend too much time in the kitchen.
* New videos and games.
* A few non-gift traditions, like Christmas crackers with Christmas dinner.

**Mamaw** · 07-26-2005, 08:33 PM

Oh boy..this is a bad area for me. I go overboard at Christmas.
I usually spent about 2500 for gifts. Past years have been budgeted at 400 per child (3) and for DH and self. Family gifts normally about 20 or 25 for the children. MIL and FIL usually about 100 to 150 each. I do shop through out the year and look for sales and bargains but this is still way too much money! This year I have a new SIL, DIL and will have 2 DGD to add to the list. I will spent more on the grandchildren then on their parents but I am working on a holiday budget as we speak.. Intend to pay strictly cash for all gifts...Post hints and tips ladies!!!

**Seraph** · 07-26-2005, 11:31 PM

We don't set amounts per person but do set an overall amount. Usually it's between $100 and $300, once it a while it'll get up to $500 (we deserve nice things once in a while). That covers the tree (I insist we have a tree every year), any decorations I need to replace, and gifts (whether that be food or something else). Often times, gifts are nothing more than movie "baskets" or something similiar. Sometimes it's just a gift card or cash (what DO you buy for people you never see except for once a year at the holidays and even then they ignore you??).

And we spend cash for whatever it is we buy. I have a holiday fund that I contribute to every month (it's actually extra $$ I put into the car insurance account every month, but close enough) and whatever is there come holiday time is what we get to spend.

**jlxian** · 07-27-2005, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Mamaw
.....I am working on a holiday budget as we speak.. Intend to pay strictly cash for all gifts...Post hints and tips ladies!!!

Cash! Good idea. I forgot to mention in my earlier post that we also paid cash only this last year. Previous years we have used our credit cards way too much. Its a good idea to go with cash only!

**favesis37** · 07-28-2005, 05:05 PM

well i am another bad one, last year i spent 2500. that is for all the neices, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, 5 grandkids, mom, sisters, brothers, and 2 close friends. a total of 30 people.
this year we are cutting back, 2 outfits per grandbaby, and 1 toy.
so far all gifts have been bought on clearence, or home made.

next year i am cutting out the neices and nephews, and friends, and siblings. that cuts us down to around 18 people. much better

**Lucky Star** · 07-28-2005, 06:14 PM

Last year was a first time that we used a budget - $50 for each of our parents, $25 for siblings, $10 for kids. The total came to about $400 for the season, but that's not including our gifts to each other. Those were $150 for me and $70 for dh (somehow, I got the better end of that deal!).

I think it will be less this year, especially if we aren't going to be visiting either one of our large extended families. I usually think, if you're not there in person, then it's not necessary to buy gifts for extended family. What does everyone do in this situation?

**marjorie** · 07-28-2005, 08:29 PM

I normally spend $15-20 each on my nieces and nephews, buy materials ~$20 each for sibs to make items and/or special foods (all items for these groups need to be shipped out of state or be ready by Thanksgiving). Used to spend ~$150-200 on each of my 2 kids, realized it didn't seem to matter to them... items were not always cared for. Spending closed to $100 on each now, and often get practical gifts. For grandson spending ~$50, thoughout the year.

**jlxian** · 07-29-2005, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Lucky Star
I think it will be less this year, especially if we aren't going to be visiting either one of our large extended families. I usually think, if you're not there in person, then it's not necessary to buy gifts for extended family. What does everyone do in this situation?

When we are not going to be there in person, we give a "family gift" --- one thing for the entire family. Could be homemade jam, a jar of our honey, a homemade barnwood picture frame, etc.