How much do you spend on Christmas presents?

**soontobemamaof9** · 09-25-2007, 09:07 PM

We usually spend $100 per child, but occasionally we go over budget like last year when my hubby decided to surprise us with a new computer(thankfully not a computer from the store but from reduced priced partsfrom my cousin) so it didn't break us but I wish I had known so that I could budget it in. We also do homemade gifts for my extended family and my hubby's extended family, which cuts down costs. So how much do you spend?

**mommy4ever** · 09-25-2007, 09:56 PM

We look at about $100 per child too. I'm looking at cutting back on extended family. i have started to not enjoy it, so it's time to stop. I'm doing baskets this year as my brothers family has tripled in size! So I just can't spend as much. Next year I'm really really downsizing.

**Jaded** · 09-26-2007, 07:59 AM

Believe it or not, for my sister, mom, and my two kids last year I spent about $100, and they all loved their gifts. Of course, there was the $600 to get the car fixed so I could drive 10 hours to go spend Christmas with them, but I don't count that. LOL Guess I should, but the car would have had to be fixed anyway.

I will probably not spend that much this year, as things are very tight. I'm just hoping that I can earn some more money somewhere before Christmas.

**justpeachy92** · 09-26-2007, 09:50 AM

I don't have a set amount that I spend, I try to keep things as even as possible. Though the my 3 yr old gets more gifts then my almost 14 year old, only because the things my teenager wants cost more. For extended family I give a gift to the whole family, usually a big tray of christmas cookies and a board game. The scene it sports game was a big hit with my nephews.

**sdrjeolsen** · 09-26-2007, 09:57 AM

previous years 250/child. This year 200. We usually get one big gift and then fill in with smaller things and practical things till we get to the limit.

**inneedofhope** · 09-26-2007, 01:19 PM

I'd say for DS about $100 to $150, usually less. I only buy the one big thing he asks Santa for and then this and that that I know he needs.
For others, $10-15 per person, I might spend a little more this year.
Since my ds is an only child, I still really enjoy buying for the neices and nephews, and i'll probably do something little for my best friend's girls or a family basket for them.
Last year I had to keep it really tight because I was anticipating a job reduction. This year I can do more.

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-26-2007, 02:05 PM

Each year the budget has been a little different becuase it just depends on how much cash I have. I would say around 100 dollars on average.

**Izzy0906** · 09-26-2007, 02:12 PM

I spent $100 for my daughter, $100 on boyfriend, For the rest of the family we exchange with (total of 19 people) I spend another $200. So a total of $400 and it's already put aside woohoo!

**Emjo** · 09-26-2007, 02:43 PM

For parents and siblings, I'm trying to keep it under $20 per person (I'm doing baskets this year and shopping the clearance racks for things I know they'll like). For DH and I...we've talked about getting something for the house instead of exchanging gifts, but we'll see. We'll probably spend about $75 on DS.

**acarpenter** · 09-26-2007, 06:24 PM

For my oldest 3 we spend about $500.00 each.The younger 2 about $300 each.This year my oldest is getting a wII and a few games for that so he may go a little over $500.We dont have any other family to buy for.

**Neeley** · 09-26-2007, 06:32 PM

We buy for and budget the following amounts......

DD - $500
DS - DS $500
My mom - $75
My dad - $75
MIL - $50
FIL - $50
My step mom - $50
My Granny - $40
My Pappa - $40
SIL - $25
SIL's DH - $25
Niece #1 - $25
Niece #2 - $25
Nephew - $25
Aunt Ginger - $25
My Pappy - $25
My G-ma Dot - $25
DD's boyfriend - $25
DD's best friend - $25
My Aunt Anita - $20
Cousin Nik - $20
Uncle Noel - $20
Cousin Harrison - $20
Cousin William - $20
Aunt Suzie - $20

DS has some people who work under him, he buys for them and for his boss. We keep the total for those gifts under $200.

After all is said and done we spend on average a little under $2000 each year on gifts. However, it is all paid in cash. We do not even have a charge card, just a debit card.

**Lambie** · 09-26-2007, 09:34 PM

This year I'm way more organized and will be spending way less as a result!! I'm making a bunch of stuff, yet will still be buying some of it so I'm guessing around 5-600.00....we'll see how it goes!! Katy

**Its_Donna** · 09-27-2007, 05:22 AM

Total Christmas Spending (including the awesome After Christmas Sales that I so look forward to) is $1000.00. We contribute to our Christmas Club account all year and then take money out the first week of December. I have made lists and know exactly what I am going to buy. I also give DS and DH cash as a gift.

I craft lots of small gifts for co-workers and neighbors.

**karone** · 09-27-2007, 06:18 PM

this yr, im going to get my mom some stuff for cold/flu since she is a nurse and sometimes get what her patients/family has or her co workers have and that will probbably be under $20, for merrick a box full of cars since that kinda all he plays with, for jason and my uncle i dunno yet.