How much do you spend on Christmas?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2006
How much do you spend on Christmas?
36
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 9:56am
Just for your kids? How much per kid are you planning to spend? I will probably not answer this question myself, as I am rather embarassed to say.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 11:15am



Well our kids are teenagers, so it gets more expensive as they get older. I think about $600 per child (we only have two.)


Wow that seems so much to me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2007
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 11:25am
Okay, I don't post much but this subject always interests me. I have one DS 9 who I budget about $400 for. That usually includes his January birthday as well, but this year it may not since he has a laptop on his list. The rest of my family comes to about $300 total, and then I budget about $500 for my son and I to take a long weekend driving trip over the break. So, about $1200 for me, but all saved and budgeted for.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 12:03pm


Yep, looks like it is more than you spend, but once again, it is all cash, no credit. And I will be paying down more debt in December as well.

Our kids are into sports and hunting/fishing so yes, we spend more. Maybe your son would like an iPod or iTouch since he is so into music?

They also spent last Saturday making food baskets for the needy (over 200 of them) and we are also adopting a family for Christmas, supplying them with food, and gifts.

I am not much into a lot of homemade gifts anymore. I did a lot of that growing up, and have the scarves and afghans galore. We made ornaments, and other crafts I still have from when the kids were little. I like the iPods and small devices because they are less clutter.

Last year the kids got skiis, DH got a laptop and I probably spent about $4000 total. DH loves his laptop and is still using it to work on our business and allows him home office days, DD goes skiing once a week when the hill near our house opens (and skiis for almost free as her girlfriend's family owns it.)

I grew up with a big Christmas and a lot of tradition (12 Apostle meatless dinner, midnight mass, stories of traditions from the old country, etc.) which we still keep.

-Marie




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 12:04pm

Stacy, you really found it got less expensive when they were teenagers?


I found it got more expensive also.

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2006
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 12:14pm
OK, here goes.....we are spending $500 per kid ($1500) and about $300 for everyone else (including dh and myself). We really don't spend much on each other, if any. My parents will give us around $300 as a gift, so that will go straight to a CC.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 2:23pm

I don't think anyone should feel bad about what they give or Christmas. To each their own. Last year I gave my kids(2) and Xbox 360(their old xbox was dying) and a game each(500 total for the kids). This year will be less. I got them $75 gift cards for wal-mart so they can buy what they want. I think I will take them for lunch one day after Christmas and they pick out what they would like. I also got them M&M watches from Avon they both expressed interest in and a hard cover book each. I still need stocking stuffers but some of those will be tooth brushes and deoderent and shower gel. My niece and nephew get about a $25 gift each. I spent about $60 on my bf and will do that this year or close to it. I got a 15 gift for a girlfriend. I have left over avon I will give to one of my kids teachers. Bf's family doesn't really do gifts we just do a meal together. My family is getting a picture of my boys together (5 by 7 or an 8 by 10)I had done at Walmart in the summer I have put in cheap frames. So the total cost of those gifts was $30 for 4 gifts I know they will love. Hopefully I can pull that off for next year too. If I need other gifts they will likely get wine from my store.

So lets see, my kids 255, and other is 160-190. I don't do a big meal but bring buns or wine where ever we go, so that is extra. Oh the chocolates. I make chocolates every year in molds and give them in gift cans. Cost $40. So 500 bucks. Wow that is more than I thought. I guess because I spread it out and include a lot of it in weekly grocery money or my avon profits it doesn't seem so bad. Oh well, all cash and mostly taken care of already!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 2:28pm

I found it got more expensive also.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 4:28pm
We usually spend about $20 each on our nieces and nephews (5). About $75 on our parents (4). $75-100 on grown kids (usually they get a grocery card from us)(3). $100 on grandbaby.(1) Her presents will mostly be useful items like clothing, formula and diapers.
This year we bought each other concert tickets. I tend to shop year round for the kids when I find things on special. I also make jam and sew some presents. We don't usually exchange with bil's and sil's. So the whole Christmas season should be well under $1,000. That sounds like such a big amount when you add it up. Good thing I spread it out over the year.




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 6:12pm

" I've not purchased a Vera Bradley in over 1 1/2 years. OMG! I'm having a VERA attack!

Norma "

I just had to go and check out what a Vera purse was. They are very cute, luckily I have a Mom that makes purses and bags that are very similar. :-)

Sharon





iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 7:42pm

Both mine and DH's parents were over the top at Christmas.