What's your Christmas budget per kid?

[Anonymous]

Santa gets my kids one present (the most coveted item) and a stocking full of candy, toiletries, and one small wrapped item. Their dad and I get them three additional gifts. I have no issues with spending money on them for Christmas, but I also want the presents to be valued and played with. So a large pile of gifts is unappealing to me. I think I spend about $500 total for our two kids and will spend a couple hundred more on special holiday items (tree, decorations, events, etc...) during the season. Our budget can easily absorb these expenses. Our HHI is $200,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Santa brings ONE gift for our 5 yr.old, and a present from my DH and me. Has nothing to do with affordability, and everything to do with entitlement.

Agree with the sentiment 100%

[Anonymous]

It also depends on what you do during the year. For example, a PP says she doesn't spend that much, but mentioned getting an Xbox game for her son. For us, we spend more, but on the other hand the Xbox system might be a Christmas gift. Last year one child got an Ipad the other a Wii. So that was an expensive Christmas, and yet they have enjoyed those gifts all year and got a couple Wii games for their birthdays mid-year. We don't buy things like IPads during the year, so in a way these are family presents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$1200 on a 6 year old? Where the hell do you go from there? $5000 when they're 16?

BMW at 16. Or maybe a Range Rover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who said $100-$200 per child (especially for younger kids) can I ask what you buy them? I'm trying to do a list on a budget and come up with about $500 total for my one child. Just need some better ideas I think so maybe some of you can help. (We have one 3 yo)

This year our general plan is:

DS1 (5 years old)
Lego set
A book set
A fun shirt
Plus stocking (probably will be one mini Automoblox then pretzel M&Ms, flipbook, a new action figure, Goldfish, a superhero toothbrush, etc)

DS2 (3.5 years old, will be 4 in April)
Football Guys
A couple of books
A fun shirt
Plus stocking (pretty much the same as his brother)

DD (20 months old)
Bilibo
A couple of new books
A couple of outfits
New shoes (she needs them)
Plus a stocking (Goldfish, a new toothbrush, hair bows/etc, a couple of toy horses)

We may get a toy for the three of them to share (or for the two boys to share) in addition to the above.

As I've said before we save large items (new bike, toy kitchen, basketball hoop, etc) for birthdays. They also get a couple of gifts from grandparents and other family members, so they get plenty of stuff.

[Anonymous]

I've never understood toiletries in a stocking. Like why masquerade toothpaste as a gift.

[Anonymous]

Maybe $100 total for 2 kids. This year they are getting set of magnatiles.

[Anonymous]

We spend a lot, +1000, but that is because the DH and DCs get their winter clothes for Christmas. Adult clothes are expensive as are winter coats. Thany you, all for your break downs. I think maybe about $220 for the fun gifts. sometimes more if it is a computer, which is not really a "Christmas Gift" exactly, more like a necessity.

[Anonymous]

While we aren't at the amount of the OP, we do spend more than I would like, and about $500/kid. This year, I'm trying to reign it in, and I'm making a list. The challenge is that our daughter asked for something specific, and I think it is a fair and practical request (she wants a sleeping bag), and I was surprised at how pricey they were. Our kids each get three presents from Santa -- two books and a toy. From us, they get pjs, an ornament, a book, yes, we're really into books, something they ask for, something from each sibling, and a surprise. Last year, instead of the fancy monogrammed pjs that I normally buy, I bought carters pjs at costco for $8/each, and they were a huge hit. But I do love seeing my kids in matching monogrammed pjs. So my goal is to be at $300/kid.

[Anonymous]

My 3 year old has asked for 2 things which will total about $100- maybe not even. I'll get him those and a few smaller things for his stocking. And then his numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends will get him all sorts of stuff that he doesn't need and that we don't have room for. I don't even set a budget.

[Anonymous]

^13:49 again- I'm also a huge fan of using stocking gifts as an excuse to refresh all of the things that get nasty with use- crayons, play-doh, toothbrushes... My DS get so ridiculously excited by play-doh.

[Anonymous]

$250 per child

[Anonymous]

I love 13:51's suggestion. Play-doh it is!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who said $100-$200 per child (especially for younger kids) can I ask what you buy them? I'm trying to do a list on a budget and come up with about $500 total for my one child. Just need some better ideas I think so maybe some of you can help. (We have one 3 yo)

I can share what i have gotten, to give you an idea

Big gift........I found a second hand motorized 4x4 jeep/car for my grandson. $35 at a consignment sale. Will spend $30 on a new battery for it. Then, I got him some hotwheels stuff, cars, a RC motorcycle, a couple games that were $5 each and thats about it on him. His is about $125-150

My granddaughter has wanted a north face jacket, so I bit the bullet and got her one this year. With some discounts/coupon, I managed to get it for $150. Then I bought some accessories she needs with her Kindle Fire she is getting from her mom. I found screen protectors, case, stylus pens, etc on Ebay for FAR much less than the store, might have spent maybe $20 on all that. And I am getting her a gift card for the Vans store in Tysons, so she can choose a pair of shoes she wants from there. So hers is a little more than $200 this year.

Last year, I got the kids a desktop computer to share. Only needed the tower, because they had a flat screen and printer, etc. So $200 for that for both kids, plus other smaller stuff

It CAN be done, shopping on a budget. Kids that young, 2-3, even 4, do not know the difference on say a used bike that is in excellent condition than a new one. Afterall, you DO buy the bike put together i the store.


My daughter spent $15 on a used cars bike that is in excellent condition (saved $45 on that from buying new), a new cars scooter for $35, and then small things like a game, more cars (this kid loves matchbox), etc. That is for the 3yo

She is buying a kindle fire for the 13 yo, giving her a gift card for Vans store as well. And then giving her other little necessities she would be buying her anyway - stuff for her hair, lip gloss, underwear, etc.

Best things to watch for are BOGO free or Second half off. Look at gently used larger toys, such as kitchen, bikes, ride ons, etc on craigslist, selling groups, etc. My daughter just posted stuff on craigslist that are like new at a fraction of what you buy them for in the store brand new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who said $100-$200 per child (especially for younger kids) can I ask what you buy them? I'm trying to do a list on a budget and come up with about $500 total for my one child. Just need some better ideas I think so maybe some of you can help. (We have one 3 yo)

My 3 year old is getting a target bike ($59) and a helmet ($25) from Santa. Plus stocking stuffers