XMAS spending limit?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2007
XMAS spending limit?
27
Fri, 11-30-2007 - 4:41pm

Hey Ya'll,


You know most of my story, so, what should I spend on SO this year?


Points to ponder with your recommendation:


1.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Fri, 11-30-2007 - 5:07pm

Nice try, Zen... but I seriously don't think it's something WE can or SHOULD be deciding for you! I wouldn't even know where to begin, because I think money is a very personal thing. How much something/someone is of value... it's just not something any one person can say- and have it match what others might think/feel/say/do.


Sorry I'm no help, but I just wouldn't know where to start or stop, even if I DID think we could tell you what limits you should have on money!


I'm someone who isn't about how expensive a gift might be. I'm more about the thought or effort behind it. I'm big on handmade or personal gifts and not big at all on "being bought" or impressed just because something is expensive.


Maybe others will be more concrete for you? It's surely not me!


~shrimpy, currently crocheting a baby blankie (sooo soft!) for Hiker's littlest g-daughter

~shrimpy

"A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." ~Stephen Dolley Jr.

~<

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2006
Fri, 11-30-2007 - 7:19pm
I'm with Shrimpy on this one. There isn't a number that is required, like after a year of dating $x for gifts is expected. I personally go for quirky, very personalized gifts for my loved ones. Since my BF has very much enjoyed receiving such gifts he has followed suit and for this Xmas will be giving me an original oil painting he bought at a charity auction we attended together. It wasn't very expensive but I am overjoyed that he thought of it, planned ahead for it, plus it will always remind me of how much I enjoyed that particular evening with him. I don't care that it isn't a surprise.
QueenBun
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2007
Fri, 11-30-2007 - 11:48pm

Low: $1,000,000


High:$10,000,000


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 12-01-2007 - 1:51am

Okay, how about this.


Low: amount equivalent to 2 hours salary.


High: amount equivalent to 6

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sat, 12-01-2007 - 12:18pm

Okay, so where/how are you guys even coming up with ANY sort of tangible number for this??!


I'm not knocking you or anything. I'm just totally curious (like how I get confused on just how that whole FWB thing actually works)- because I just can't see how you can even BEGIN to put a number on this kind of thing.


And for those of you who CAN do this... do you do this for all relationships as well? How much you might spend on a brother/sister, a parent, a close friend, a coworker?? A child of a friend/sibling... your own??


I guess I'm just one who "spends at will" in a way. I don't think about the price, but focus more on WHAT it is, or what it might mean to the person receiving it. Price just doesn't factor in... unless it's WAAAY expensive and I can't afford it. And again... handmade stuff is still something I like to give when I have time (or a creative vent) to make something cool.


~shrimpy

~shrimpy

"A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." ~Stephen Dolley Jr.

~<

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 12-01-2007 - 2:10pm

Okay, so where/how are you guys even coming up with ANY sort of tangible number for this??!


Out of thin air.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-02-2007 - 10:42am
DUDE!
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Sun, 12-02-2007 - 5:20pm

For me, I don't care about gifts.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Mon, 12-03-2007 - 9:00am

I really think it is premature to spend a considerable amount of money on a present for her based on what you have typed in this post and previous ones and also because you do have to ask. It might make her feel uncomfortable and it might lead to disappointment if she doesn't really like what you pick out or if you want more than what she can give - it just puts too much pressure on a time of the year that is emotionally charged for a lot of reasons.

Also, this gift-giving amount is something, in my opinion, that should be mutually discussed and agreed upon. I think it is okay if you spend a little more on her than she does on you - but not a lot more at this point in the relationship.

MA and I agreed to spend $100 on each other. This has opened the door to buying a bunch of very thoughtful small gifts. It has relieved both of us of spending too much money prematurely in our relationship or having to extend ourselves financially or buy something big. We have both had a lot of fun buying these small fun gifts. And to me, this is what the season is more about. I don't think I would ever want a lot of money to be spent on me when I did not have a say in what it is for.

We also agreed to write each other a letter saying what we have learned about each other so far and what we mean to each other. To me, this sort of thing is priceless.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Mon, 12-03-2007 - 10:45am

I've got to say - I'm with Shrimpy on this one too.

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