Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking about this today. We spend about $200-$250 a kid. The oldest will graduate college this year. She still provides me with a list and I’m happy to shop from it. But at what point do you stop buying expensive gifts for Christmas? Is it college graduation, 25 or 30? Where does it end?

I would love somebody to help with this question...I have a 23 and 25 year old and I think its time to dial back the presents but not sure what is "normal" for this age group....

My oldest is 20, so not there yet...but why don't you just decide what works for your family. There's not a universal wrong or right. If you think it's time to dial back, then dial back.

I'm in my 40's and we all send lists around.

If asked sure, otherwise, no.

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking about this today. We spend about $200-$250 a kid. The oldest will graduate college this year. She still provides me with a list and I’m happy to shop from it. But at what point do you stop buying expensive gifts for Christmas? Is it college graduation, 25 or 30? Where does it end?

I would love somebody to help with this question...I have a 23 and 25 year old and I think its time to dial back the presents but not sure what is "normal" for this age group....

If this is something they have done their entire life and you have never told them to stop, they assume you want it.

Anonymous wrote:My FIL is 80 and sends us Christmas wishlists!

This brings me joy and laughter! Go Grandpa!

I see it as a chance for us to help our kids start out in life. I am buying a blender for one this year. He just got his own apartment and really has very little. Happy to buy a blender! Other kid is getting a second pair of shoes for work. Also fine.

I am 53 years old, and my mom still asks for one! My mom enjoys buying gifts for Christmas and birthdays.

If I sent her a list, she would probably like that. But I do wait to be asked. (Or she gets me a gift card.)

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking about this today. We spend about $200-$250 a kid. The oldest will graduate college this year. She still provides me with a list and I’m happy to shop from it. But at what point do you stop buying expensive gifts for Christmas? Is it college graduation, 25 or 30? Where does it end?

I think you never stop? My boomer parents still get gifts. I get 5k plus $100 in presents. Dh gets a lot of presents too. Sometimes big presents like fridges or washer/dryers. I don’t ask for it or get any other money. Parents just have more money once retired. A lot of my friends get 17k each which is the IRS limit.

Some kids are frugal and matter of fact. They give wishlists so they get things they need and don’t create more landfill fodder.

Some kids are greedy and put tons of fancy things on their wishlists.

Fwiw my family does wishlists. Most of us don’t buy everything that pops into our heads. I start adding things I want in the summer. Typically less than 10 things. I don’t share it, but it’s public. If my family doesn’t already have something they want to get me, they use the wishlist. It makes the holidays easier for my family. I also enjoy buying off wishlists. Some people are so easy for me to buy for (my SIL!) but my FIL? I’m very grateful for the wishlist which gives help. Some people just post ideas of what they want (“squirrel proof bird feeder”).

In the end, I don’t care at all how wishlists get to me. I spend what I want to spend. So what if the person asks for it or if im just guessing? In the end I want the recipient to like my gift.

My FIL is 80 and sends us Christmas wishlists!

My kids would say "If Santa needs a suggestion ...XYZ. I am happy to get them something they want.

I am guessing this is not your 25 year old kid and you are being judgy. My 21 year old made a Christmas list "for fun" this year. She knows she may get nothign on that list or something, who knows. But she thought it was fun and it was helpful to me. She hadn't done one in years. My DS, I WISH he'd give me a list. Also early 20s.

We get one from my sister every year. Unsolicited.

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking about this today. We spend about $200-$250 a kid. The oldest will graduate college this year. She still provides me with a list and I’m happy to shop from it. But at what point do you stop buying expensive gifts for Christmas? Is it college graduation, 25 or 30? Where does it end?

In my family, it didn’t end. My mother lived Christmas. She would do Christmas stockings (and I would do one for her), usually a gift card to my favorite store, and almost always a practical present “from Santa”. So it’s whatever you and your family decide you’d like to do. Sometimes it shifts from expensive gifts to things that are more thoughtful than expensive.