Anonymous wrote:Last year we spent about 1200 on our 6 year old and about 800 on our 1 year old. Obviously she will get more this year but she was just a newborn baby then so there wasn't a whole lot to buy her except clothes, stuffed animals, and a few toys for her to grow in to.

We never really set a budget. We just buy what we think is good and stop when we feel like we have enough.

So what about you?

Obviously, you need to spend more than $800 on a 2-year old. Duh!

One year, my daughter (now 4) got a $300 dollhouse + furniture. That was partly for me - I always wanted a really nice dollhouse and never got one. Otherwise, I've been much less extravagant. I just finished buying her gifts and I think I spent just under $100, with another $20 or so for stocking gifts. Her birthday is in late October, so I try not to go overboard with two holidays so close together. She also gets gifts from her dad. (we're not together.) One of her gifts (+ stocking gifts) is from Santa, the rest are from me.

HHI is $120K.

Anonymous wrote:OP, we have an income well north of 500K (and I agree with the PP, you must too.) We don't spend nearly that much on little kids (like yours) since the things they want are pretty basic and I don't want tons of plastic crap in my house cluttering it up. When our kids are older I would have no problem spending $1200 total on a kid if it was for a few big ticket items that they really wanted (i.e. skis for a kid into skiing, a nice bike, a first designer handbag for a teenage girl, etc.) I don't think it is about a dollar amount since everyone has different means. However, Christmas shouldn't be about quantity. Gift-giving should always be about thoughtfully considering what would be truly meaningful to the recipient and then choosing something that will give them pleasure that is appropriate to your means.

We also have a high income but we don't spend that much on our kids. We don't really have a set budget but we get them a few large gifts and a bunch of small ones and it probably adds up to $300-400 per kid.

I feel most toys don't cost that much. Even the big ticket toys cost around $200. DH thinks our kids have way too many toys already.

Because of this thread I just asked my almost three year old what she wanted for her birthday. She answered balloons! I then asked what she wanted for Christmas and her answer was Christmas stickers. I think this is just the reminder I needed!

I'm the PP others are quoting with the almost 3 year old and looking for ideas. Thanks for those who sent ideas. We have whittled down our list and our budget to $350. I think that's pretty good and reasonable.

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)

Well, I could easily make a list with $500 or more on it, I just don't buy everything on it. I do keep a running wishlist on amazon throughout the year and use that to remind myself of things come Christmas and birthday. It also gets shared with my inlaws as they specifically ask for it.

This year, my 18 month old will be getting:
A wagon ($88 on amazon)
2 toys that I traded in my Huggies points for (free)
2-3 books ($10-15)
An ornament ($5)

So just over $100, mostly because of the wagon.

She will also be getting presents and clothes from my sister, her grandparents, and 2 great grandmothers-so she really doesn't need anything else.

Around $50

I have a teenager, which is different from a little one of course, but I probably spend over a thousand. But, I also make almost everything a "Christmas gift". Often I'll hear parents saying that they spend less than I do, but their children clearly have the same things mine does, so I figure they're just buying things as they go along, or maybe they do the opposite of us and spend a lot on birthdays and a little on Christmas?

Things that count or have counted as Christmas gifts in the last few years.

New shoes
Winter coat
Sports equipment (generally used)
Classes for his sports/sports team fees
Computer (to share)
A new comforter for his bed
Silly food gift (e.g. last year I put tabasco sauce in his stocking because he loves it)
Xbox games (again, generally used)

As I said, the other kids I know seem to have shoes, and coats, and comforters on their bed. They play the same sports and use similar or more expensive equipment. They turn in work that's clearly been done on a computer, and they play the same games he does -- I know because he tells me whose he's playing n Xbox live.

Wow.

Ever so often I read a post that makes me feel like I'm too poor to even visit this site. $1200 on a 6 year old. Forget if it's right or wrong. I just wish I had the money to consider doing that.

We have a 2 year old. Our budget is $100. We're getting her an Angry Birds plush pillow, a Minnie Mouse doll, a toy broom and dust pan set, and some more Dr Seuss books. Last year when she was one she got a Let's Rock Elmo.

Last year all my 4 year old wanted was a 5.99 monster truck.
That's all he asked me or Santa for.


This year he wants an iPad and Lego.


I'll spend more then I need to but not more then I can afford.

I dont have a number though.....

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how all of these 2.5 and 3 year-olds know what to ask for? My (almost 3) DS has never asked me for anything (other than sweets), and would have no idea what to say if I asked him what he wanted! I'm not trying to be snarky -- I'd really love it if he could/would tell me what he wanted, I just don't know how to get him there.

I'm the pp buying my 3 year old a bike. His older sisters have bikes, that's how he knows about them and probably why he wants one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

how are you getting a bike at Target for $59? I was just there and looked online and nothing is that cheap. I don't recall ever seeing sales for that low.

It's in the Black Friday sale ad

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how all of these 2.5 and 3 year-olds know what to ask for? My (almost 3) DS has never asked me for anything (other than sweets), and would have no idea what to say if I asked him what he wanted! I'm not trying to be snarky -- I'd really love it if he could/would tell me what he wanted, I just don't know how to get him there.

My just over 2 year old will say things like, "Want orange digger" or "Want purple car." Mostly I think it's stuff he's seen in books or at other children's houses. I tell him he has to ask Santa. There you go.

I don't have the ability to pay what OP does for gifts but, if you have the money, I don't see what the problem is or why anyone cares.

We do lots of gifts for Christmas, probably several hundred dollars. And, I don't feel bad about it. As long as my child (and anyone who gift to) is grateful, then I will continue to do so.

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)

Ideas for you ....
My daughter is now 4.
Last year she got a Step 2 art table for Christmas from Santa - around $70
The year before she got a pottry barn anywhere chair

These items have been used just about everyday in our house.