How much do you spend on kids b-day gifts

**lovestolaugh** · 04-06-2008, 07:40 PM

I have always tried to stay within a budget for both Christmas and birthday gifts for everyone. Now that my kids are getting older the price of the "toys" they want has gone up significantly. I was just wondering what you all spend/budget towards gifts? My kids are financially savy and don't ask for a lot. I think that's why I want to give them things. I know the things are appreciated. I spend around $250 for each both Christmas and birthday. How much do you spend?

**Neeley** · 04-07-2008, 12:03 AM

We spend around $500-$600 per child at Christmas.

For birthdays we budget between $250-$300 per child, party included. They pick what type of party (of any) they want. Whatever is not spent on the party is spent on their gift, so it varies .

**mmy2grls** · 04-07-2008, 12:27 AM

Whatever I can afford. The important thing is I get them things they've really wanted. My kids don't have expensive tastes.

**geckoace** · 04-07-2008, 09:58 AM

my kids are little so they don't want/need a lot. we spent about $25 total (includes stocking stuffers but not including amazon cash from my coins which was like $50) my son for christmas and like $100 on bday to include the party).

we dont have much to spend so $100/ kid would really be alot for us right now. our whole budget is like $300. i use my coin jar towards christmas gifts

**pkellyc** · 04-07-2008, 10:32 AM

It always varied for us. Depending on wants and needs. They are adults now, I give them $50 in a card. It's what they prefer.
The largest gift for a birthday we have ever given was to dd a $350 bike she wanted.
Christmas I tended to go a little overboard some years. I just love to Christmas shop. But mostly I spent what I could afford.

**many houseapes** · 04-07-2008, 10:57 AM

For the older ones, we spend $20-$40. The younger ones we spend $0-$25. when I say $0, I mean that if I recieve free toys or things they like from Freecycle & they are in excellent condition,the items are given as gifts.
For Christmas,we basically do the same thing - The Children get 1 major gift that they want & the rest of what they get are smaller things to fill in - some are handmade. Last year for Christmas, I spent about $365 for dh & 10 kids. & believe me - no one felt deprived

Throughout the year, I'm always looking out for bargains.

**imforpeace** · 04-07-2008, 11:04 AM

For my kids, we spend $100 for bdays, not including the party. For Christmas, it depends on how much we have. We have a savings account for that. Usually we spend about $200-$250 for each of four kids.

For nieces and nephews we spend about $20 per child. For parties the kids are invited to, we budget about $10 per child.

**KKCondrey** · 04-07-2008, 11:10 AM

With Paige not understanding the concept of cost right now, we spend next to nothing. We get her an outfit & some socks and a toy. Between all the grandparents and her aunt and uncle she comes out pretty good.

Now when she gets older, has more friends and we start the "Party" thing we will change to a budget on her gifts.

**cissylu** · 04-07-2008, 04:32 PM

I spend 1oo on both for dh . I spent 40 on jeremy`s birthday. and 175 on
and the same for michael.
and dsI spent25 on his birth day.
I bought other gift`s also.
I buy most of my thing`s on sale.
I use to spend more but have got more frugal.

**mombottoo** · 04-07-2008, 07:05 PM

Used to be...my adult children & married ins $50, grandchildren $25...that's for birthdays. Christmas...adult & married ins $50, grandchildren $100.

Now, that I have refigured my budget, birthdays...adult children & married ins $25, grandchildren $25...Christmas....adult children & married ins $30, grandchildren $50.

With costs going up somethings got to give...

**sunshine** · 04-07-2008, 09:29 PM

My kids are basically grown -- but don't receive gifts from others, and all have finacially tough times (job lay offs, military, college student)

So, for Christmas I budget ~ $300 each and $100 each for birthdays. Sometimes they get more, sometimes less - depends on my budget and what I manage to get on sale.

**Holly** · 04-08-2008, 06:50 AM

We'er hoping to budget $500.00
per person this year.
We'll go $250.00 on BD's ( not including dinner out for them )

**nodmicks** · 04-08-2008, 07:44 AM

I spend 75 on each of my boys. Everyone in our home has their b day with in 3 weeks so that is plenty. For Christmas we spend 150 on each of our boys(2)

**joyofsix** · 04-08-2008, 10:06 AM

Birthdays just aren't a huge deal for us. I spend between 0-$25 for birthday gifts. This year 4yo got a puzzle, 7yo got Pokemon cards, 12, 14, 16 got $10 each, 9yo never got anything, but she didn't care so I'm not reminding her, LOL. Christmas is usually a big 'group gift' for the kids and maybe some small stuff per child. Maybe $300 total for everybody.