Do you budget for your kids for Christmas?

Do you have a budget for your kids xmas presents? Or do you get a certain amount of gifts per kid? I usually do $100 per kid but nowadays that doesn’t get me much. Everything is so expensive compared to other years…

21 Likes

My husband and I only have one child (unable to have any more) and she just turned 14 in October. We don’t have a spending limit for her but I always try to include an experience. The memories to me mean more than the material things.

13 Likes

For my 10 year old, I do 1 really nice gift and then the rest are things my son needs. So he’s getting a telescope (he asked for one) and then new clothes and shoes. Things i would already have to buy sooner rather than later. For my 2 year old I was just gifted a bunch of clothes, so he’ll get some educational books/toys (about 3 toys and 3 books.) and then a few fun onesie pajamas.

I like to set a number of gifts for my kids this year is 14 for each when it comes to purchasing i buy three or four at a time for each kid. I’ll pick the gifts for that week’s purchases and get the cost amount to put to the side it’s usually every other week each purchase is between 130-200 I make sure to never go above unless it’s a really wanted gift and I’ll have gifts done by the end of November normally start shopping end of October then that saves the easy stuff like stockings for beginning of December. You have to try different ways to see what works best for you and your home I found this is the best way for me to keep track of it all.

I don’t budget or go off the amount of presents. My kids get exactly what they ask for. I don’t spend on big gifts etc or buy them here, there and everywhere In the year so xmas & birthdays, they get what they want. My 2yo wants a big wooden toy kitchen, my 9yo wants heeleys and a scooter so they have what they’ve asked for plus much more like trainers, clothes, perfume, gift sets, other toys, games etc. My 6mo just has toys for his age range and bits and bobs.

1 Like

In the past we’d do say $100 per kid. I know that’ll change as they get older and out of the “kiddy stage”. So I decided this year we aren’t doing a set amount or number of gifts but more so focusing on quality of gifts. So I’m doing more “activity” stuff for my 8 and 5 year old. Board games, craft kits etc. stuff that can be used over and over again. That they won’t play with once and throw in their closet once the novelty wears off. I know this’ll change again in a few years but this is what I’m trying for now

4 Likes

I try to shop all year so they a lot of gifts.

1 Like

What my husband and I do each year is give our kids (we have 3) one big present, one medium gift, a small one and then fill up their stockings. The big gift is obviously something they really want (within reason) and I just build it off from there. And with the way they birthdays all line up, I buy their presents during all the prime day deals so it’s a lot cheaper in the long run. If that’s a possibility for you, I would really encourage doing that! It makes the holidays totally less stressful when you have everything planned months in advance!

5 Likes

When my kids were younger (I have 6 total) we did the 3 gift rule. Something they need, something to read, something they want. Santa always filled their stocking and left games, activities, and sometimes big items (such as basketball goal or trampoline). Now since they are all older, for Christmas we take a trip. This year it’s a cruise to Cozumel. This will be our 3rd year doing trips instead of gifts, and my kids LOVEEEE this, we always go somewhere different, that we’ve never been

Absolutely, my children range from 22 to 13, and I give myself a budget and I stick with it.

I start shopping in March have been doing this for 3 years and it’s so much easier.

4 Likes

I generally spent a set amount per child. I let my kids know that more expensive things meant they may have less presents then the other kids and they were fine with that. Everyone got one big gift and then a bunch of other gifts. Everyone’s budget is different. If you shop all year long, it will help alleviate stress and make it easier on your budget. My Mother did this and we
always had a ton of presents at Christmas, even at times when my Dad was laid off from work.

3 Likes

The last few years I haven’t been able to do this but normally I have a plastic tub for each of my kids and throughout the entire year I buy little things I think theyd like and out it in their boxs, for bdays and holidays. Then whatever I have to spend after bills and such at Xmas time I split between them. Budgeting doesn’t go far anymore so it’s nice to already have a stock ready to go.

25 Likes

I am going away this Christmas and we will be going on shopping dates so Santa will bring her 2 gifts and that’s all lol

We do something they want, need, wear and read. They also get annual passes to Universal Studios.

12 Likes

I usually do one big gift for Both then $150 each they tell me all the things they want and which ones they want the most I watch all sales and try to get everything. This years big gift they got season passes to two amusement parks

We only have 1 and his gifts this year are so expensive. We have only got him 5 things and it’s already $1500. Needless to say there will only be a few small things left to buy for his stocking and next year I will start buying even earlier in the year.

When they were younger I did it by number of gifts, now that I have a mix of older and younger I do it by price.

I usually do a trip and a few small gifts. She more than likely won’t remember most gifts but she will remember the experience. This year, she wants to learn how to ice skate well and spin, so we’re gifting her skating lessons and ice skates.

8 Likes

I don’t really have a budget I allways try get them a main present something they really want then get around 10 presents to open and a stocking :blush:

I started early, I looked out for sales, but honestly I really don’t budget or have a spending limit, my kids never ask for anything they are 6 and 2 but I’d buy them whatever they wanted as long as it’s reasonable, I couldn’t drop $500 on one thing at once

1 Like

We’ve been doing between 5-8 gifts per kid. (we have 5 kids total from toddler to teen)
We have kids of all ages, so if we did a budget amount one might get way more than lets say our teenager.

4 Likes

My son is 32 and has a wife so I try to spend around 100 on them each ,
My daughter is 10 and I spend around 200 on her.

2 Likes

We budget around 200-300 per kid, maybe a little more depending on what their big gift is, this year we’re looking st a custom American Girl doll and a os5

This year it is 500 per kid, 2 kids ages 15 and 9

Depends what they want like my oldest is 13 this year he asked for an apple watch. He has an iPhone already so he won’t be getting as many gifts but the other 3 kids gifts are less so they get more. For the watch I added it on a contract though so I’m not paying it all at once

1 Like

Everything is so expensive and the meal on Christmas is way more expensive too. :weary:

1 Like

Start shopping early. Take advantage of every sale. Listen to them when they’re talking about things they like. Some kids like painting rocks :joy:

5 Likes

I have 5 with number 6 due in weeks ,my youngest is only 3 so she isn’t into things as expensive as the big kids I spent around $500 ish on her and the big kids (all between 12 and 18) I probably spent $1100 ish each but they also don’t get big ticket items through the year etc unless it’s there bday

1 Like

I ask my daughter to make her Christmas list in March/ April and I start buying her gifts that early , whatever is in the list by October I ask my mom and sisters to buy for her as their gifts.
I do not do a budget per kid when they are little because they don’t understand that some stuff are more expensive than others

1 Like

Yeah, I’m a single mom with one income, no child support and no assistance. So unfortunately, I save all year and have a budget to stick to. With teenagers? It’s hard because stuff is so expensive

I only have one. I try to stay around $500

2 Likes

I try to keep ot between $200-$300 for my son because his bday us 2 weeks before Christmas and I usually do $300ish on his bday also. He’s a teenager though so stuff is way more expensive now. When he was little I could do $100-$200 for each.

1 Like

Mine is not a kid any more

I only have 1 kid, I don’t do a certain amount of money or a certain number of gifts. I just go with the flow every year. My only strategy is, don’t go overboard.

1 Like

I do the same amount of presents for both my boys

I have 4 kids (20, 14, 12 and 3)

This year i gave my 12 and 14 year old each a set amount to shop with us in the city (clothes make up what ever) we did $250 and for the 14 year old (adult clothes) didn’t take long to spend….then i have picked them up other “surprise gifts” that they don’t no about and keep the amounts even…, just do what u can do… i work a full time job plus a part time one to and that makes Christmas a bit easier on me

Good luck :revolving_hearts:happy shopping :shopping:

I’ve always done both. Set an amount, and kept gift number the same. Sometimes combining 2 cheaper things, etc. When I was broke, I also got favorite snacks for each kid and wrapped those. The kids felt special they had a snack they didn’t have to share and I got a gift, groceries and happy kids! They’re now 18 and 20 and can recall only a couple specific gifts they received over the years.

When young I try to make sure same amount of gifts each and equal quality. As they get older it depends on what they are asking for and the price.

Yup I do. I have 2 middle schoolers . 250 limit on each of them. They understand the things they want are more expensive so they won’t have much under the tree

I only have 1 kid and he’s only 10 months old. I started buying for him in September just little things I saw online or while out. For me it’s not the amount of money you spend but the quality of time spent during the season. So for his first Christmas I got things that will be fun for him to open and that he can play with for a few years and something that he needed and also clothes. I know he won’t remember his first Christmas but we will and eventually we’ll be able to show him pictures and memories for years to come!

I shop early and all year finding good deals! I’m always listening…if they want something I jot it down or save it to my cart to buy things weekly as I get paid…we have 6 kids and go all out for Christmas…we both work hard, the bills are paid so we do what works for us…and I don’t worry about anyone else’s Christmas budget or how they feel about mine…my mom died when I was 14 and my favorite memories were Christmas time so I try to keep though magical memories alive with my kids…not just the gifts( I just love giving) the family time, memories, crafts,cooking together, Santa, just the Holiday spirit in general!!!

2 Likes

we stick to , something he wants, something he needs, something to wear, and something to read.

the want has to be within reason, he understands that a PS5 not an option but a nintento gift card is,
we stick to this because our son has 4 sets of grandparents that sometimes do the bigger gifts.

I just buy whatever i have to money for and feel like buying

I don’t put a budget on my kids happiness. I buy presents super early so she gets everything that she wants and more. I only have one kid so of course that’s much easier to do. If I had more than one kid I would probably have to budget. So I totally understand when people have to.

I don’t do money amount. I have them make a list and I do 5 to 7 gifts a piece. I also have a total of 5 at home.

Jack Brown maybe we should do this :joy:

Recommendation- by a gift each paycheck if you can afford to do so. It helps with Christmas time so you don’t have to buy as much.

7 Likes

usually 200-300 a kid. got 3 kids

I’m not sure but I know I’ve spent at least $300 on each of them and there is two of them… I’m sure it’s more than that. :grimacing:

Buying a desktop this year that’s our big gift

This year I set a budget. Mine are 11, 16 and 17. I did 300 per kid for Xmas day presents. No budget for stockings, xmas eve bags, ect.

We do 500 each for Christmas Eve . Then 100 each from Santa . This includes cloths , shoes , etc . Never just toys

Yep even amount of gifts an cash…I have a limit of $150.00 per grandchild. Of course I start picking up some things in Sept usually so by the time Dec rolls around I just put cash in certain cards…works for me.

I commented earlier but I just wanted to say this. I don’t remember a single gift I got as a child. I really don’t. And we were dirt poor and relied on Salvation Army and Christmas cheer to even get anything. Our christmases were bare minimum when it came to gifts. But I will say, I remember Christmas always feeling so special. I remember the lights and decorating the tree with my mom and siblings while listening to Christmas music and drinking eggnog. I remember binge watching our favorite movies and making Christmas cookies. I remember waking up Christmas morning and making cinnamon rolls for breakfast and the way the house smelled while we opened presents. I remember vividly the magic of how everything felt. My mom made everything feel special with very little and those are the memories I cherish now as an adult and the Christmas I strive and hope to give my own kids now. Just a different perspective I thought I’d share since I’m in my feelings this evening :heart:

1 Like

We went pretty big this year but you’re right everything is expensive nowadays!

We do not budget
We ask for a list with your top items you want and we get whatever is on there
My oldest ps5
My second oldest she wanted new shoes and Nike tech outfits
Next daughter wanted a vanity like a fancy one
The 5 year old eh we just get whatever we see him constantly pointing out at target.

And then we buy a crap ton and donate to our local schools toy drive for parents who need extra assistance during this time. I think we bought 20+ gifts this year

1 Like

I start shopping in June and set a budget of 1k per child ( I have a teen so they tend to be more expensive) and I always give them a joint gift(a little getaway) which isn’t included in the budget

We have 2 girls 12 and 13 and we usually do 1k each they get what they generally want and need this year it’s mainly bedroom decorations for my 13 year old so it adverges out to wants and needs so im ok with this then we will spend a q00 each on the grandbabies there’s 6 of them lol

2 Likes

I spend about 1500$ on 3 kids. Same amount of presents I don’t worry on what cost more etc . When they are older I will then have a set budget

I use a cash back credit card on every single purchase including bills. Pay it off every month and I have about $2,000 for Christmas each year. About $300 per kid. Everyone’s different

It’s according to your financial situation. Period. Do what you can. Do what you want. I’ll I say is if you go all out make sure your children know not every family can do that. Make sure if they’re young and believe in Santa that YOU bought the expensive stuff not Santa.