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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
We are broke beyond broke this year and it makes me sad. I used to get a nice bonus at my last job and then when I got laid off we saved the 5th week checks and used it for Christmas. Circumstances this year did not allow us to do that and we have like nothing to spend. On top of that, the dishwasher just gave a crap and we have that added bill.
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Posted 12/8/22 8:06 AM  |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I have a 13 year old son - I usually don't spend more than $150 on him.
For my bf - I try to spend no more than $200, but it usually includes experiences with a few smaller things.
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| Posted 12/8/22 8:12 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I will say the only person I buy for is my daughter.
As a grown adult I don't need Christmas gifts and DH feels the same. If I want something for myself i buy it- I'm not waiting for him to buy it for me for Christmas from OUR joint bank account. It's just silly at this point
We also stopped exchanging with my sister and her DH as it was like a gift card swap- she'd get us a gift card to a restaurant and we'd get them one for the same amount- like why? LOL
Christmas, as adults, should be about the spirit of the holiday, spending time with family, enjoying a meal together etc.
Especially if money is tight.
I understand buying for your kids- no matter their age. But I don't feel the need to exchange with adults anymore.
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| Posted 12/8/22 8:14 AM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
I will say the only person I buy for is my daughter.
As a grown adult I don't need Christmas gifts and DH feels the same. If I want something for myself i buy it- I'm not waiting for him to buy it for me for Christmas from OUR joint bank account. It's just silly at this point
We also stopped exchanging with my sister and her DH as it was like a gift card swap- she'd get us a gift card to a restaurant and we'd get them one for the same amount- like why? LOL
Christmas, as adults, should be about the spirit of the holiday, spending time with family, enjoying a meal together etc.
Especially if money is tight.
I understand buying for your kids- no matter their age. But I don't feel the need to exchange with adults anymore.
Same here and our list is very small now. The only adults are my mom and my aunt. The rest is my 3 nephews.
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| Posted 12/8/22 8:53 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I honestly don't add it up, but the only people beyond my own kids that I exchange with are my two nieces, my mom and I send something small to my dad. I do buy my kids quite a bit, but I'm also the type of person that says no all year long when it comes to "stuff" my kids may want
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| Posted 12/8/22 10:11 AM |
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lpg21
LIF Infant
Member since 9/21 342 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I just spent about $350 total on my 3 kids, they are getting 5 things each- my parents bought a lot more stuff for them.
We are in a bind financially and now I still have to get gifts for nieces, nephews and cousin's kids which I am stressing over.
For teachers/aides/therapists I got Bath & Body works hand soaps on sale.
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| Posted 12/8/22 10:47 AM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by lpg21
I just spent about $350 total on my 3 kids, they are getting 5 things each- my parents bought a lot more stuff for them.
We are in a bind financially and now I still have to get gifts for nieces, nephews and cousin's kids which I am stressing over.
For teachers/aides/therapists I got Bath & Body works hand soaps on sale.
Same boat. My mom sends us all money so they have that. I have extra money for everyone else so I am taking care of them.
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| Posted 12/8/22 10:49 AM |
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MrsWoods
LIF Adult
Member since 4/12 1461 total posts
Name:
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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
We don't buys gifts for adults and only kids. Luckily i dont have alot to buy for. Christmas is for kids in our eyes.
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| Posted 12/8/22 2:22 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
$500-$1000
I have DH, my mom, we are finally doing secret Santa with DH side of the family so I only have to buy for 2 people (for me and DHs picks) and I don’t exchange with mine. I have 8 nieces and nephews so $50 each kid.
Probably closer to $1k
I couldn’t imagine the expense If we had kids
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| Posted 12/8/22 2:29 PM |
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nycbuslady
LIF Adult
Member since 9/15 1066 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
I will say the only person I buy for is my daughter.
As a grown adult I don't need Christmas gifts and DH feels the same. If I want something for myself i buy it- I'm not waiting for him to buy it for me for Christmas from OUR joint bank account. It's just silly at this point
We also stopped exchanging with my sister and her DH as it was like a gift card swap- she'd get us a gift card to a restaurant and we'd get them one for the same amount- like why? LOL
Christmas, as adults, should be about the spirit of the holiday, spending time with family, enjoying a meal together etc.
Especially if money is tight.
I understand buying for your kids- no matter their age. But I don't feel the need to exchange with adults anymore.
I agree with this 100%.
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| Posted 12/8/22 2:36 PM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
$500-$1000
I have DH, my mom, we are finally doing secret Santa with DH side of the family so I only have to buy for 2 people (for me and DHs picks) and I don’t exchange with mine. I have 8 nieces and nephews so $50 each kid.
Probably closer to $1k
I couldn’t imagine the expense If we had kids
We keep it at $25 for the kids because, like you said, the expense of having kids is a lot so any extra is more too.
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| Posted 12/8/22 2:54 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
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| Posted 12/8/22 3:02 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I don't even want to think about it. We probably spend $3-4K. We have 4 kids. That's around $2K right there. Then we buy for our parents, my 3 aunts who provide us with child care during the year and all the kids in the family as well as our Godchildren. It's probably around 12 kids. Then my kids each get gifts for their Godparents and I really wish I didn't start that many years ago. It's annoying now.
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| Posted 12/8/22 3:39 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
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| Posted 12/8/22 4:13 PM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Ugh this is why my DH hates Christmas and prefers Thanksgiving. The pressure of buying and spending on gifts is really too much.
Unfortunately we spend a lot more than we probably should even though I'm a great bargain shopper. It's so much between my 2 girls, my 3 nephews, my BFFs kids, goddaughter, my parents, our ex-nanny and her family who we are still close too, etc it gets crazy.
Me and my siblings recently started doing a sibling raffle so instead of buying gifts for 4 different people we only do one which helps tremendously. Also DH and I really do minimal gifts for each other since we just get what we want/need throughout the year. We're also pretty simple people.
I think it's so sad so many people including myself get into debt/stressed about Christmas...it really takes away from the true meaning.
I always say that I'm going to start a Christmas sinking fund and always forget but that is a top priority for next year since we are prioritizing getting our finances in order. Even if you put $5-10 away in an envelope every week it can really add up.
ETA: Forgot about the teachers, bus drivers, etc.
Message edited 12/8/2022 5:10:22 PM.
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| Posted 12/8/22 5:09 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give an Xmas gift to your exterminator?
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| Posted 12/8/22 5:10 PM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give an Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Honestly I have cut out almost anyone extra. No mailman gift, no garbage men. I can’t afford it anymore as it is getting ridiculous how the holidays is just a money and gift grab. No one really celebrates the meaning anymore. It is just how much they can outdo each other.
Don’t get me started on the gifts under the tree social media pictures either.
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| Posted 12/8/22 7:56 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by windyweather21
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give an Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Honestly I have cut out almost anyone extra. No mailman gift, no garbage men. I can’t afford it anymore as it is getting ridiculous how the holidays is just a money and gift grab. No one really celebrates the meaning anymore. It is just how much they can outdo each other.
Don’t get me started on the gifts under the tree social media pictures either.
I consider myself a good tipper, even an over tipper at times, but I never understood the gifts/tips for the mail carrier. They are federal employees with benefits and a pension. They are doing a job they are paid to do, like you and I at our jobs. Why do we tip them but not, say, the checker in the grocery store, our car dealer or our accountant?
My dh was in a city job with a pension, doing dangerous work, and couldn't even accept a free cup of coffee at Dunkin for fear of his job. Store clerks would insist on giving him a free coffee or soda while he was on patrol and he would leave money on the counter and leave for fear he was being watched.
I'm just very confused who gets an Xmas gift vs who doesn't and why.
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| Posted 12/8/22 11:44 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
I'm just very confused who gets an Xmas gift vs who doesn't and why.
I get very confused about this where I live, too. I live in a large apt complex & I always struggle with whether or not to tip everyone, or just the people that have worked on my apartment or section specifically. And then there is a new guy-- I tipped his predecessor, but I haven't even met the new guy.
I only started tipping my mail carrier ( just a Dunkin GC) in 2020, because I was home & would see him all the time & because he is so much better than any of the previous carriers who worked this route. The addresses here are kind of confusing and I used to get the wrong mail all the time.
I don't tip any other delivery people, but I don't order a ton & it isn't always the same person.
But that is where about half my budget goes, since we don't have kids:
Tips, 5 kids in the extended family & toys for tots. (I still bought my usual 2 gifts, but I refused to buy legos because they were all so expensive!)
And then I spend money on butter & chocolate because I just bake for everyone else.
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| Posted 12/9/22 12:24 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give a Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Yup. He is here every 3 months for upkeep and any other time I call. This man rid my house of the ants that wouldn’t die and keeps them away. I owe him my sanity!! I don’t even have spider crickets in the basement anymore
Any constant service person gets a little something as a thank you at the holidays.
Message edited 12/9/2022 8:06:26 AM.
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| Posted 12/9/22 8:05 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give a Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Yup. He is here every 3 months for upkeep and any other time I call. This man rid my house of the ants that wouldn’t die and keeps them away. I owe him my sanity!! I don’t even have spider crickets in the basement anymore
Any constant service person gets a little something as a thank you at the holidays.
See I really have no constant service people because DH does all our services himself, from extermination, to pool care, to lawn care, even services our oil burner and repairs the pool heater himself. We literally pay nobody because he does it all himself. And I don't even give HIM a Christmas gift. 
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| Posted 12/9/22 8:24 AM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give a Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Yup. He is here every 3 months for upkeep and any other time I call. This man rid my house of the ants that wouldn’t die and keeps them away. I owe him my sanity!! I don’t even have spider crickets in the basement anymore
Any constant service person gets a little something as a thank you at the holidays.
See I really have no constant service people because DH does all our services himself, from extermination, to pool care, to lawn care, even services our oil burner and repairs the pool heater himself. We literally pay nobody because he does it all himself. And I don't even give HIM a Christmas gift.
Same. We don't have any constant people except for the mailman(woman) and garbage. DH and I exchange when we have extra money and last year we decided to put money aside to see a concert. If we exchange next year we will probably do another experience too as we buy stuff all year long that we want so there is really nothing we need or want.
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| Posted 12/9/22 8:44 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by LuckyStar
I have no idea. We don’t buy for adults, just kids, but there are A LOT (11) kids to buy for. I should start gift wrapping condoms to give the adults.
That’s not counting DD, whose birthday is also around Christmas.
Then there’s the teacher gifts. Toy drive gifts. Tips for mail carrier, sanitation, cleaning people, etc. It adds up so fast.
Well thanks, it’s over $1k. Forgot about the mail carrier, sanitation, exterminator, lawn care, etc etc.
Oh and condoms for the adults made me spit out my water
You give a Xmas gift to your exterminator?
Yup. He is here every 3 months for upkeep and any other time I call. This man rid my house of the ants that wouldn’t die and keeps them away. I owe him my sanity!! I don’t even have spider crickets in the basement anymore
Any constant service person gets a little something as a thank you at the holidays.
See I really have no constant service people because DH does all our services himself, from extermination, to pool care, to lawn care, even services our oil burner and repairs the pool heater himself. We literally pay nobody because he does it all himself. And I don't even give HIM a Christmas gift.
Hahahahahahah
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| Posted 12/9/22 10:38 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
I am ashamed to admit, it's a real problem.
ETA; I only buy for my son, nieces and one extended nephew. Adults we do a secret Santa $100 and the kids do a secret santa for $25.
I also don't really buy my son a lot through out the year because he doesn't really ask for much and he usually set with his bday in Oct and Christmas. DH and I don't exchange gifts. But this year I am surprising him with the PS5. He's been wanting it but doesnt want to pay the insane price for it so as sick as it made me, i did it for him. lol.
Message edited 12/9/2022 11:59:48 AM.
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| Posted 12/9/22 11:53 AM |
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Re: How much money do you spend on Holiday Gifts
Posted by Sash
I am ashamed to admit, it's a real problem.
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| Posted 12/9/22 11:58 AM |
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