Do you all go all out for christmas..present wise I mean? We dont usually. Our children usually get 4-6 gifts each depending on what it is. This year however im thinking about 2 gifts each and than a santa one(of course) Does that seem cheap to you....We dont want our children thinking its all about Presents because its not but I figured 2 good gifts plus stocking and santa gift is good.. what do you all think?
We have cut ours down in the past and this year we are cutting back even more. We are really pushing the belief that Christmas is NOT about presents. I don't think what you are doing seems cheap at all. I believe the children appreciate it even more when they are not overwhelmed with multiple gifts.
we do 1-2 gifts from mom and dad and 3 from santa (each). They are usually not super expensive or anything. Then we have one gift for all of them from Baby Jesus (usually a new childrens book with bible stories or something like that). My kids give to needy kids every year. We donate new toys we buy to charities so they learn to give to kids that need it most. We also donate their previous years coats to the kids coat drives, and pack up kids toys items, wipes, 2 cans formula, and dipes that a small womans shelter takes, and are VERY thankful for! They actually look forward to this every year more than gifts. They get really into donating, and picking out toys for someone else.
my oldest is getting a golden apple ipod with a 15.00 Itune gift card and than something else. I have no idea on the other two.. lol
I plan on giving 3 gifts plus their stocking stuffers. If they get more gifts it will be something that they need like clothes. I do plan on making a few things for them as well. They always get new jammies on Christmas Eve to wear Christmas day and this year I think they are going to be homemade instead of store bought.
We typically do 3 gifts that are individual ones [2 cheaper ones and 1 more costly one] and then they get something they share [usually a game of some kind]. I figure those plus the ones from the aunt/uncle and my mom [who continues to give 2 or more] are more than enough. Frankly, mine just have too much stuff as it is. Plus, their birthdays fall in September and November, so we end up with those things as well.
my oldest dd birthday is Sept 24 , My sons is Sept 16 and my other dd is January 28. lol They know Christmas is more than just presents. My oldest DD (11) told me today.. mom, if its the only thing i get, an Ipod would be wonderful.. I dont need anything else.. THAT made me so proud.
Well in our house stockings are filled with hair bands and socks for the girls and socks and something useful for the guys. Presents, that will depend on our christmas bonus that my dh gets this year. I have been trying to buy one present a week not an extravagant gift but at work we had a deal with buy $20.00 of coke and hershey's I think and Monster's and Alien's was only $4.99 and it worked for me since I had extra bucks and a coupon of 5 off of a 20 dollar purchase. And since I work there I get a discount as well I think I ended up paying $1.40 for everything. Plus, we had an event so the coke was something I would need. I always get the kids a new ornament each year for the tree, I bought the ones from last year at a discounted price and they are in my closet ready to go. I'm going to buy them pj's because they need them, but other than that there's only been wild request from my 4 year old, my 12 year old wants a new pre-paid cell phone and my oldest hasn't said much about what she'd like.
This is what we do, plus one gift each or one large family gift (wii last year) from Santa. Last year, we actaully spent more than usual, because of the wii, but it will be less this year. My two youngest want American Girl dolls. They will be happy with the Target knock-offs, but I may search eBay for real ones. We've been reading the books, so I know they'd like the ones they know about. Ds 13 wants Guitar Hero, but that's more of a family gift in our house. DD11 has given me no ideas whatsoever!
We usually contribute to a Christmas charity of some sort that supports children. Then, we wrap an empty box for each of our children that contains a note explaining how this present went to a needy child. Of course, they have other presents, but we like to remind them that others are not as fortunate. And to answer your question, we don't go all out. Each child gets one main present and a number of smaller ones (often clothes).
I don't know how many gifts my girls will get this yr. My hubby likes to give each the same amount... last year It came out to each recieving 8 items from us and then you know grandparents and aunts. My hubby loves Giving the girls gifts and it is him who I have to stop! This year we will have to cut back, but my little 8yr old will get her own little sterio for her room...who knows what my 12 yr old will get... but I know she wants a computer, which is totally out of the question!!!!
We are working on a mostly handmade christmas but I got hisidea somewhere on the wen that I'll be trying this year. Giving them an index card to fill out with following headings WANT NEED WEAR. So they would each 1 thing they need, 1 thing they want, and 1 thing to wear. My daughter has started hers already but won't let me look so I'm curious to see what's on her list...
In years past my dh and I bought our kids about 2 or 3 presents each and one shared/family present. Last year my dh and I cut way back on Christmas spending. Both of our kids received one major present each from Santa worth about $25, so a total around $50 for those. I bought them a couple of trinkets and books from the Dollar Store to open from us. I usually stuff the children's stockings with a bit of gum and candy too. My mil always out does Santa and Mom and Dad though, so she got them some nice toys. My parents just gave our family some money. We did a name exchange with my parents and sisters and their family members last year, so we didn't have to spend too much on gifts. This year we probably won't spend too much either (still looking at a possible job loss). my2kids-I think what you are doing for Christmas presents sounds fine. You are right...it's not about the presents.
We do one individual present, clothes, and one "to be shared" gift each. The gifts to be shared are like this: We have 3 girls. Last year, one opened a Wii, and the other two opened Wii games. Other years we've done 3 board games, or 3 movies, etc.
I give them a limit of $100 per child (2) and then they get from family. Elijah today told Gianna, "You don't need any Christmas toys, look at your toys now." "you have so many of them, you won't be able to find your Christmas toys". That is so very true. I need to go through them before Christmas and get rid of some of them. Of course her birthday is December 7th!!! Ugh, more toys - no party, just a day out with the family.
Every year is a little different, and in the past few years we have tried to have the kids remember the real reason for christmas. For this reason we have choosen to give the kids 2 gifts each + what ever small trinkets for their stockings. For all the kids we are getting them new bedding since the ones they have are old and starting to show their age. For my boys I found on clearance rack at Walmart 2 twin sized bedding sets for $17 a piece! They are jungle themed organic cotton and so soft and cute. I am still working on finding my girls something but unless I find a great deal like that again I think I am going to stick to shopping craigslist. My girls are also getting Waldorf dolls with lavender that can be warmed up in the microwave to sleep with at night. My aunt is an amazing seamstress and she said she would make the dolls for the cost of the materials. I have yet to decide what my sons other gift will be. We try to keep the cost to $50 per child, which by shopping craigslist and local thrift stores is pretty easy to do, plus my kids don't mind used stuff and I make sure it is in great condition so it lasts a long time.
We have done a lot in the past--both dh and I have gotten carried away! However, lately we have cut back and do 1 main present and 2 or 3 others. We have done the Operation Christmas Child for many years now, which has been a blessing for all of us I think! And my kids DEFINITELY know the reason for the season!
