Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

DH and I started to discuss this last night and we both said different amounts. Neither of the amounts where close to each other. I am sure everyone’s budget is a little different depending on affordability. But one of us said around $350-$400 per child and one of us said almost $1000.00 per child.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

DD is young (3) so it's not that expensive yet. She gets 1 big toy and then a lot of other gifts depending on what I see that she may like. I don't buy just to spend a certain amount (though we will try to even things out among all kids).

DS was only a month old last Christmas so he did not get a whole lot, but we plan to do the same for him.

We don't have a set amount, but it comes down to the 200-400 per kid range for us so far, but as they get older I could see that going up. However, if I can get it down through deals and sales, even better. I just get carried away.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

My older DD is only 19 mths so the first christmas we spent next to nothing (she was 3 weeks old) and the second, we spent maybe $100-$200. I can't say there is a dollar amount I will focus on. It will change as she gets older and gifts get more expensive, and it will vary year to year. My only goal is to make her happy and that doesn't necessarily correlate with $$. One year I may spend $200, another year $1000, and another year who knows--maybe I'll buy her a car when she's older. I know this christmas I want to get her a little kitchen...no idea how much that is, but I will probably get her that, some coloring/painting stuff, and I'll see what else she is into at the time.

My younger daughter is 6 mths tomorrow. No idea what to get her because her sister's toys are still in great shape. I was actually thinking a little while ago that I might wrap up some of DD1's toys that she barely, if ever, used from last christmas and give them to DD2 this year. Not even to save money intentionally--but it just seems like such a waste to buy more toys for that age range when I have so many that are in perfect shape

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

More than I should.

Each year I set the limit low.. and think I'm on target.. but somehow wind up figuring out that I blew it when I'm doing the bills in January.

This year I am setting a limit of $400 each.. MAX. I will not deviate. I will not. Really. No Way.

The problem is - Robbie's gifts are usually more expensive (video games, electronics..) - so I always get worried because even if we spend the same amount it looks like he got 5 gifts and Noah got 10.

Message edited 7/8/2010 1:04:28 PM.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

I would say in the $250 range for miki (she will be almost 4 at x-mas)

MUCH less for KJ as he will be 15 months and just doesn't care or need that much stuff at this age

once he gets a bit older, I plan to try to keep it to 200 each max

Message edited 7/8/2010 1:16:44 PM.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

In the past it has been about 200.00 each. This year it will be drastically lower like $50.00 if that.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

For us I feel that around 100 is appropriate at the age my kids are now. They are 19 months and have more fun with a cardboard box than any other thing we give them. I am even thinking about just signing up for some activities and doing 1-2 gifts each.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

When it was just Ava, we would spend about 500-600 or more on her for Christmas. Now that we have two, we'll need to be a little stricter on the budget because we can't just be spending 1200 bucks like it's nothing. So we'll probably do a max of 300-400 for each kid. At least for now while they're young and really don't want or need anything that's all that expensive.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

Josh is getting a big Christmas this year...the power wheels yamaha quad.
That will be the major one.
He doesn't get anything throughout the year though...so i think we do go over 600.00.

Jessie is probably getting a dresser

we don't really have family that buys for them though.
my mother pays for josh's classes.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

DS will only be 8 months around X-mas time. At that age he won't care for much...so we're spending under $200. I think maybe under $100.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

DD will be 8 months old at Christmas. We are thinking of getting her the Hutch to match her dresser, so that will be expensive. Then maybe just a few small toys.
However, that's mostly because she's so young, she won't know what's going on and also because my family is RIDICULOUS with Children's Presents and they will buy her every toy out there.
I think my parents used to spend about $300-$500 per kid. My mom is a crazy shopper though and gets everything on sale throughout the whole year, so it's all spread out. I am going to do the same.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

we have always spent about 400 or so on DS.....this past year the twins were only a month old so they each got one little toy and a few outfits (stuff i bought that they needed but put under tree b/c DS kept asking what santa was bringing the babies)

This year, DS will prob still get more...the babies will only be 1. But with 3 kids, it will get $$$ fast....my goal is to keep it around 300 per kid every year.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

My DD is only 21 months old. Her first Xmas she was so little (about 3 months) so I spent maybe $75-80. I got a few little rattles and toys, some books, and clothes. Last year she was 15 months old I spent probably a little over $200. I can honestly say there is NO way, at any age, I would spend anywhere near $1000 for one kid. That's a crazy amount of money to spend for one holiday and I don't think any child needs $1000 worth of anything..........they won't appreciate it and it's overkill. Honestly, whether you spend $100 or a $1000 your kid will be just as happy.

Re: Yes I know its July. BUT how much do you usually spend per child for Christmas/ Holiday (now with poll)

depends if its big or little gifts. On average based on last Christmas , maybe $400...total guess. this year with 3 kids, its gonna be tighter...maybe $200 on Noah and $200 total on the girls? I try to keep Christmas in total for everyone I buy for in the $1000-$1200 range.