how many gifts for kids?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
how many gifts for kids?
13
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 1:40pm
I told my girlfriend yesterday that santa leaves an average of about 20 gifts for each of my 3 girls. She told me she buys maybe half that amount. I was wondering if some of you with kids might share how many gifts per child you average every year? I do buy many of my gifts at 50 to 75 percent off. I only spend a total of 1200 max for all 3 kids. Is that too much? Im wondering if Im going way overboard. jenz

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 1:57pm

Good morning Jen =)

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 2:00pm
Mostly a lurker, but I gotta tell ya...I think it's overboard. My DD is 3-1/2 and we are spending $100 on her this year, plus filling her stocking. That means she is getting four wrapped gifts under the tree. In previous years, it has been less than $100. My stepchildren are grown, yet we continue to spend $100 on each of them as well. I cannot imagine spending so much just for Christmas. Just my opinion, of course. Where in the world do you keep it all?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 2:32pm
hey shawna! I guess, I am feeling guilt for buying less this year. I needed some confirmation that i wasnt a mean mommy for buying them less. To hicksnsticks: I failed to mention in my post that about 30percent of those gifts are needed clothes. My oldest is getting clearanced tops(5) at 3.00 each. a jacket, clearance price, $6.00 each. two sets of pj's(she has none right now) what adds up to my high budget, is the video games. most are 40 bucks a pop. I also by them dvd's. So at this point my 2 older girls 8 and 11, get small yet costly gifts. I don't have room for all the stuff in the 2 younger girls room. We just built a 500 sq ft addition with a closet to store all their art supplies and board games. I am good about teaching them the meaning of christmas, for us that means the birth of christ, and our salvation through him. I also collect toys for the poor every year and the girls help me deliver them to the outreach program . We have a really good time doing that, although i have had trouble explaining to the kids why santa doesn't give underpriviledged kids the toys himself. The workers at the outreach had to practicly pry a barbie out of my daughters hand 2 years ago, she was only 2, and didnt understand that we couldnt keep all those gifts, lol. jenz
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 2:41pm
I think it's different for every family...if I could afford to spend 1200 on my 2 boys..well your darn right I would lol...as it is my older son gets 1 "big" present and then probably 10 or so smaller presents..thats just from us..he has 4 sets of grandparents his dad and tons of extended family..so I dont feel too bad he makes out pretty good every year..we dont have too much to worry about Blake cause he will only be 5 months old...he gets diapers lol..j/k..

Your girls are lucky they have such a great mommy!!

April
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 2:55pm

No, I dont think you need to feel guilty at all =)

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 4:03pm
Hi Jenz,

My husband and I were buying about 10 to 12 gifts for my son every Christmas, plus he'd get maybe twenty total from my parents and sis. After my daughter was born in 2002, I sat down and got my parents and sis to agree to curb the spending. Now both kids are going to get around eight gifts total. My son's birthday is Dec. 31st, so he will get three gifts that day also....but we don't count that against Christmas.

I made the decision to cut back when I realized that my son was taking the gifts for granted: not playing with some of the toys, not wearing some of the clothes very often. He just seemed to get more than he needed or wanted. It is a personal thing though. Do what YOU feel in your heart is right and that will be what is best for you and your girls.

hugs,

Kay

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 4:32pm
Well, for us that would be really, really overboard, but everyone is different. I've heard of parents who spend $700 per kid! As far as my boys go, first of all, I don't have $1200 to spend on gifts. Second, we don't have the room for that much stuff. Third, my kids are young and they don't really care about expensive gifts or even need that much stuff, and they have entirely too much to begin with, LOL. And, fourth, they get plenty of gifts from other relatives. Oh, and I should say they are only 14 months apart in age so they are able to share most of their toys and even a lot of their clothes.

Anyway, this year we will be spending probably $100-$150 total on both boys. I'm not sure yet how many presents that will end up being, they'll also get small/cheap stuff in their stockings.

If you feel comfortable with the amount you spend/how many gifts you give then by all means do it! I'm sure your girls know how fortunate they are!

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 5:12pm
I feel like I go way overboard on Christmas too! I just can't seem to help myself. I love it and want it to last all day. But, I also feel a little trapped in that I have done Christmas so big every year, I feel like the kids will be disappointed if they don't get a lot of presents. I know, not the true meaning, etc. but I just have a problem. Is there a twelve-step program for over-indulgent parents? If so, sign me up! KSAS
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 6:05pm
maybe we can start our own support group, lol.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 8:24pm

I don't think you're going overboard.

 

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