DH and I one same page on gifts? How much does average DC family spend on Xmas gifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am finding that we are spending about $800/ kid on Xmas, maybe more.... wondering if this is average in DC area ... DH and o want to enenln same page on spending - I feel this is normal and DH would prefer to give kids toothpaste lol — what is normal for spending?

I googled the national average and it is about $200-$300 per kid..

We're at about 300 per kid. Out boys haven't asked for much. 12yr old wants: Gaming chair, weighted blanket, and a new bathrobe 9yr old wants: spiral book binder (what?), bean bag chair, walkie talkies, and a sonic care toothbrush.

I'm also going to get them some filler like socks, under ware, bookmark with timer, snorkels, and hats.

They, like most kids in this area gave a video game consoles, iPads, phone, headphones, bikes, alll kinds of sports gear, and a trampoline. Not much more they really want.

So they’ve had abundant Christmases before....

[Anonymous]

I'm spending $800 on 8 people in my family. Though mkids get gifts from a bunch of family, and if that weren't the case I would get more for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent about $600 on DS. DW spent oboist 500 on me. I spent about $4k on DW.

So will that oboist just folllow you around? Are you just really into wind instruments? Can you make requests?

DW needs a new computer but will not go buy one, so I got her one. Plus we’ were shopping a few months ago and she pointed out something that she would never spend the money on, went the next day and got it for her.

[Anonymous]

We spend nothing because our extended families are really into giving gifts and buy everything. I know it sounds awful, but they all send gifts several times a year so I’m constantly getting rid of old toys/clothes/books and it’s easier to just have them buy one or two high quality pieces we really want than a bunch of junk we don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am finding that we are spending about $800/ kid on Xmas, maybe more.... wondering if this is average in DC area ... DH and o want to enenln same page on spending - I feel this is normal and DH would prefer to give kids toothpaste lol — what is normal for spending?

I googled the national average and it is about $200-$300 per kid..

We're at about 300 per kid. Out boys haven't asked for much. 12yr old wants: Gaming chair, weighted blanket, and a new bathrobe 9yr old wants: spiral book binder (what?), bean bag chair, walkie talkies, and a sonic care toothbrush.

I'm also going to get them some filler like socks, under ware, bookmark with timer, snorkels, and hats.

They, like most kids in this area gave a video game consoles, iPads, phone, headphones, bikes, alll kinds of sports gear, and a trampoline. Not much more they really want.

So they’ve had abundant Christmases before....

No, I don't think we've ever spent over $300 per kid.

[Anonymous]

This is the first year that I felt like we really bought a lot. I just spent 400 on both kids. This includes xmas and their winter birthdays. So probably 130 on xmas and 70 on bday each. Then they get stuff from grandparents. They are 7 and 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent about $600 on DS. DW spent oboist 500 on me. I spent about $4k on DW.

So will that oboist just folllow you around? Are you just really into wind instruments? Can you make requests?

Not reading most of the thread, but wanted to make sure you got at least one LOL for this response.

I'm totally picturing someone walking around DC with an oboist musically commenting on their day. It's making me smile.

[Anonymous]

We spend about $250-$350 per child (preteen and teenager). Usually it’s one big thing like Ugg boots or name brand headphones and the most of the rest are clothes. We try to take advantage of all the sales this time of year. We don’t really buy them ”just because” stuff outside of Christmas and birthdays but we spend more than enough on kid activities throughout the year.

[Anonymous]

Five kids. All grown or nearly grown. We try to stay around $300 per kid. But we will go higher on occasion. Last year my 17 year old got a Vibe, for example. It was about $600 I think. This year my 25 year old wanted some new outdoor gear. He lives in Colorado and loves to ice climb, camp, and hike. I bought him a coat I knew he wanted. It was around $500. I usually give my adult kids jingle jammies, another small gift, stocking stuffers, and a check for $200.

[Anonymous]

Stockings always are more money than $25. I mean ... they are boatloads of money if you but real stuff in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the CORRECT DCUM response
We have middle class income of 550k
DW mostly stays home, so no nanny.
Kids gifts are 50 bucks each
We drive to the thrift store on our 8 year old Volvo and purchase a few gently used toys.
We ask that relatives donate to charity in our children’s names.

You’re welcome.

Ha, this. The thread in general parenting actually made me lol. Apparently NO ONE spends more than $100 on all their children combined