Christmas Shopping for the Kiddos

**BlissMommy** · 10-02-2011, 08:26 PM

So, I'm trying to figure out how to handle Christmas for my kids. I have 5 in total ranging in ages 12 to 9 months old. I usually go overboard, but just weeks in my kids can't seem to find anything that I give them(except the boys with their video games). I'm also remarried and my hubby thinks I've spoiled my older three a lot(something mentioned by their father too). So, I want them to enjoy Christmas, but I don't want it to be about what they get all the time. How many gifts do each of your children get?

**Momto5RN** · 10-02-2011, 09:22 PM

they get to choose 3 things or i get to choose 3 things from a list of five or so they really want .

3 come from santa ( well only one believes still and that is questionable but i did that explanation for years as to why they couldnt ask for tons of stuff ) like the wise men brought Jesus 3 gifts
anything above that ( which there are because i love christmas and i save things year round to give them ) things i chose on sale during the year - based on their lies or dislikes etc . or things i know they can use ( ie a nice big size suitcase and a carry on size suitcase for my 23 yo-work clothes etc )

if its a bigger item they can choose just one or two

i dont make the #'s they get equal or the amt i spend equal thats crazy IMO when you have 5 kids in an age range that i do ( which is similar to yours my oldest is now 23 and my youngest is 10 now ) if my kids ever counted or added uo the cost i would probably take their stuff and donate it .

that said we are responsible for christmas IE they get a pollyanna exchange from a family member on dhs side - my mom doesnt celebrate holidays - so they dont have a bunch of aunts and uncles and grandparents that i can hand a list too .

and we get them very involved with guving to others - the schools adopt a family for each grade they shop for gifts for them- help pack baskets at the pantry for christmas dinner - go caroling to seniors in the area with snacks -etc we go out and pick things for toys for tots etc

i dont think its an exact # or an exact $ amt that matters if things are being tossed aside and unused then its probably too much and if you are using credit to pay for it its defiitely too much

**Nana2two** · 10-02-2011, 10:10 PM

My daughters always list a total of 6 things. Starting with what they really really want down.So i will pick 2 off the list then will feel in so they get a total of 6 presents 2 they really want and the rest is maybe a cd,pajamas,ect.

**BlissMommy** · 10-02-2011, 10:23 PM

I like that idea of the 3 items. I can definately fill the rest in with necessities. I don't use credit for Christmas.

**imagine** · 10-02-2011, 11:00 PM

Santa brings each child one present and also fills the stocking with. Three things a toothbrush a candy bar or gum and a small trinket present like chap stick on a cool clip or a hair barette

Hubby and I normally buy each kid one present but two presents are not unheard of depending on what they are if you ask for pjs or flannel sheets you might get another present too.

**brenda67** · 10-02-2011, 11:08 PM

I spoil my boy's at Christmas time! I alway's get them a big gift w/several small gifts..I do not buy alot for them through out the year except for needed item's which consist of clothing & shoes..Actually I'm not sure what to get them this year? I know I didn't answer your question..But buying the one big gift along with small gift's seem's to workout better for my family..

**Nana2two** · 10-02-2011, 11:33 PM

Last year my daughter wanted a cell phone. So that is what she got. Verizon slide. Free after rebate. Free activation we do pay $7.50 a month and she pays 7.50 a month for her.She has a max of 100 minutes a month we have a 750 share plan,so unlimited texting , but that was her bog present other then a new comforter and curtains . So last year we figured $90 a year for a big present. $30.00 for comforter 20 for curtains and then 50 bucks for misc. She never ask for money or anything. But since she is working 10 hours a week she is paying the whole $15 every month

So this year she wants a new ipod.

**Sophiasmama** · 10-03-2011, 12:15 AM

We do 3 gifts of Christmas and 1 Santa gift.

**frugalfoster** · 10-03-2011, 09:15 AM

This is off the subject on how many...but yesterday I went to Target and was able to score a transformer action figure for free.. $5 off mobile coupon paired with a $5 off target website coupon..free is a good price!

**oheoh's momma** · 10-03-2011, 09:41 AM

Hi I am also blended and Christmas for 10 years has been hell. But I will not go into the long saga of it. I like 3 gifts, 1 nice gift more expensive, 2 others gifts that are less expensive. The big one is from Santa.
This is something I learned from my step kids who are adults but count presents. Little kids can count to 3.
Blended families are hard because one side does more and it is un even. Hoped I helped you a little.

**Lady_V** · 10-03-2011, 09:58 AM

My daughter doesn't ask for anything... ever. If I had to put a number on gifts I give, it would be around 15 or so....

BUT...

1 is something I really know she wants (this year, a desktop art easel)
1 is something I really want her to have (this year, a jewelry box)
The rest are art supplies, books, colored pencils, etc...
Hand-knitted scarf, hat & slippers... etc.

The "big, huge, never before" family gift this year is a used Wii and extra controllers and games (from GameStop).

So, I guess we aren't typical... as we have more than the 'three gifts" but nothing was expensive.

**Ashley01** · 10-03-2011, 10:17 AM

Santa brings 3 gifts then her stocking filled with little things tooth brush, hair things, movies, books etc. Then I usually get her some gifts to, I do a budget limit rather then gift limit.

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-03-2011, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Lady_V

My daughter doesn't ask for anything... ever. If I had to put a number on gifts I give, it would be around 15 or so....

BUT...

1 is something I really know she wants (this year, a desktop art easel)
1 is something I really want her to have (this year, a jewelry box)
The rest are art supplies, books, colored pencils, etc...
Hand-knitted scarf, hat & slippers... etc.

The "big, huge, never before" family gift this year is a used Wii and extra controllers and games (from GameStop).

So, I guess we aren't typical... as we have more than the 'three gifts" but nothing was expensive.

We're not the 3 type family here either. Every year the money/number of presents is a little different. Last year was a high dollar year as the boys got used laptops. We've actually NEVER spent that much money but it was worth it. The laptops are still used on a daily basis and I'm sure will continue to be. They had 8 to 10 other things from Santa/us to open as well as their stockings. Everything else was either a necessity or I had collected over the year for free or very close to. ( I remember Axe hygiene stuff that I had gotten for Free and underware I paid .10 a pair for. ) It was still a pricey year for us. It isn't unheard of for the "BIG" gift to be one they have to share either and be something like the video game (not system) they have both been slobbering over at the store. I don't think this spoils them as they don't get much, and never have throughout the year unless its a need like school supplies or shoes. This year will be WAY low cost but they will still have several things to open.

**Ashley01** · 10-03-2011, 12:04 PM

I just dug out my Christmas list from last year and dd got about 14 things from me and her dad other then the Santa things. These ranged from bigger things like a desk to smaller things like bored games.

**frugal is fun** · 10-03-2011, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lady_V

My daughter doesn't ask for anything... ever. If I had to put a number on gifts I give, it would be around 15 or so....

BUT...

1 is something I really know she wants (this year, a desktop art easel)
1 is something I really want her to have (this year, a jewelry box)
The rest are art supplies, books, colored pencils, etc...
Hand-knitted scarf, hat & slippers... etc.

The "big, huge, never before" family gift this year is a used Wii and extra controllers and games (from GameStop).

So, I guess we aren't typical... as we have more than the 'three gifts" but nothing was expensive.

I'm like this too. My son has alot to open but most of it is either books that I picked up at Goodwill/Savers or craft supplies or just little "filler" type gifts.
My parents spoiled my brother and I terrible at Christmas so I think this is where I got the "more is more" feeling. But usually my son's "expensive" gift runs around $35-40 so its manageable.

I'm sure that will change as he gets older