How much to get for Christmas???

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
How much to get for Christmas???
11
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 10:27am

We usually get the kids way too much for Christmas. I like them to have 8-10 things apiece to open and they usually end up with more. This year, all the gifts seem to be really expensive (a camera for dd for instance). So, by the time we're done each child will probably only have a few things to open. Do you think they'll be disappointed that they don't have a lot to open? Or will dd realize that everything is expensive and appreciate it? DS is 5, so I'm not too worried about him. What does everyone else do? It's just so hard not to spoil them at Christmas, but if I keep going I will have spent over $800 on just 2 kids! Ugh.

Lynn
Hannah (10)
Conor (5)

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Avatar for 2boyz4us
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 10-11-2006 - 8:00am
I think the older the child gets, they are totally able to realize about money-vs-amount of presents. My youngest still believes in Santa Claus. My oldest said last year "all I want is a cell phone and an Ipod and I know that brother will get a lot more presents for that amount of money, but I am fine with that". He was 11 at the time.
When they were little I always gave them the same number of presents and kept the money spent as exact as possible, now that they are getting older the money is more what I focus on.
On Christmas Eve is when we exchange presents in our immediate family following our meal and worship service. The boys usually get 1-3 presents from us and usually a couple of presents from Grandparents, if they are with us on Christmas Eve (we have our extended family celebrations on another day). Normally one of them is a video or video game so that they have something new to do while the adults drink coffee and visit in the evening.
Santa brings the big gifts. Typically I spent around 250-300 per child. My kids rarely get gifts during the year, except for birthdays-I have never been the type of parent that just let them pick out something they want because we are in a store-so I do more at Christmas. They also get a filled stocking. This is usually candies (always a Wonka Bar in hopes of finding the golden ticket!), sometimes giftcards, other small inexpensive items, and always a piece of fruit at the toe and a new toothbrush!
 

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