I was shooting for 3 "fun" gifts for each this year and then clothes. They would need that anyhow. but we already blew that with the girls. I haven't bought the boys a single thing because we can't find what they are wanting.. We waited too long to buy online and I don't want to pay the extra $$ to get it to us on time.. As far as what we spent, It averages out to about $150 for each kiddo. The boys may cost more. And this is a MAJOR down grade from a few years back. It was nothing for us to spend $1000 and we don't buy for each other. Only the kids and MIL. We couldn't afford that but were willing to put off bills for the kiddos Christmas.. I know, we're nuts. But we have finally come to our senses.
Im the first to admit we went really overboard. My husbands family is very, errr, of a different set of morals and priorities. They expect expensive gifts,and make sure you dont feel youve an option otherwise. we spent on average 60 a kid, and theve many kids. It makes me very frustrated, because we've a modest living, and we could pay all our bills for mont on what we spent on those children. For my son, he will get some things he really would adore. We didnt set a price tag or specific number, I just picked up some things I knew he'd like,were interactive,were safe, and were acceptable in price.He didnt really NEED more toys, but he's definetely getting more than three. And more than 100 dollars worth. My husband isnt content until hes got a price tag to brag about *eye roll*
Previous years we went WAYYY out for Christmas. The last 2 years I have started to scale back ALOT. I have always gone overboard for Christmas but it was all in my heart to give to the people I love. I have started to realize it is not necessary and actually quite harmful for the kids to get so much and it takes away from the real meaning of Christmas. We have easily spent 300.00 each kid in the past but this year we probably did 300.00 total for our kids. For neices and nephews we usually spend 15.00 to 20.00 each and gradparents about the same. I also buy for my 3 siblings which is usually about 20.00 a piece. For distant relatives I usually make things. This year I am baking lots of goodies for them. We are spending a lot of time explaining to our kids that the celebration of Christmas is NOT about material things and starting to reverse their way of thinking before it's too late. As for DH and I we usually spend about 100 to 150 on each other. Just depends on the finances. But I am completely content not getting anything at all. I tell DH all the time I have everything I need just watching everyone else makes my Christmas.
