Holiday Budget

[Cblaramore]

I was wondering what everyone set for their holiday budget? I always tried to spend about the same amount on both of my kids (or have same amount of gifts) but one is that age he "can't think of anything" and my daughter wants the world! haha

 

Do you guys have a budget as a whole, for each kid? What about food? Seems I'm so bad about not budgeting for that and it gets expensive with baking and taking things places.

 

We only buy for our children (2) and our parents (with extra spouses that's 6).

 

Would love your thoughts!

[speeddiva]

We usually spend around $200-300 on each kid and $100 on each other plus $50 on MIL. Other gifts are just little ones I pick up through the year when I see great deals.

I put $20/week in a savings account so that pays for a good chunk of our expenses.

[starbeck96]

I always budget just according to what I have each year.  My husband is self employed so our budget varies from year to year. 

 

I do try to spend about the same amount on each kid, but that doesn't always happen.  My daughter is only 7 and my boys are 15 so it is hard to keep the price the same sometimes.  I do spend the same amount on the boys but many times less is spent on my daughter since I am able to get more things that she wants Black Friday.

 

I will not go over 500.00 for each but usually it is more like 300 each.

[AndreaInNC]

I try and spend the same amount on each child, but also make sure they both have the same amount of gifts to open. 

 

The one year that my oldest wanted something really expensive, it made it fun to see what I could wrap so they both had the same number of gifts under the tree.  She still smiles thinking about the year mom wrapped each sock individually so that she would have things to open.  lol

[Kanyon71]

It really varies for us. We normally try not to go over $200 on each other then we pick up what we want for our daughter. We have like 8 nieces and nephews we buy for and this year we are doing pick a name with my siblings and their spouses. Also have her parents, grandparents, my mom and my grandma. This year I'm going a little over what I would normally for my wife I want to get the $499 Nikon DSLR for her from Walmart but I won't let her know what it cost.

[Mandy4Matt]

I have four kids and it varies. I may not spend the same amount on each of them. Basically, if they ask for a expensive item (ps4) I'll get that and just lower priced items..clothes, cologne. The 7 yo on the other hand wants Zoomer, Battroborgs, Furby..and assorted little things. He will probably get them all..because of the great deals I get on this site! I'm trying to do gift bags for several friends and family members and see if that saves any money.

[floridasun5]

My own kid is grown, but still have 2 of BFs kids to buy for.   Sorry, but I never bought into the making sure each kid has the same amount of gifts or same $$ amount of gifts thing.  When the kids are different ages, the gifts are different prices.  

 

For my budget however, it's actually coming out to be a lot lower this year than previous years!   How it happened not sure  lol  but everyone is still getting great things and it works out better for me, so I'm happy  

[Jen08]

I try to set a budget on how much I want to spend in all for everyone and that includes 2Ds, DH, myparents, my in laws, sister, SIL, BIL, 2 Nieves nd 2 nephews.

 

It's hard to spend the same amount on each child. My 6 year old doesnt want stuff as expensive as my 11 year old so my budget for them is never the same.

[jade2002]

I have in years past tried to spend around the same amount on each kid. I've also done the same amount as gifts no matter the cost for each kid. Now, it's just both gets their "big" gift whether that be one getting a 4 or 500 dollar game system while the other may get a 200 dollar ipod touch or laptop etc. as the "big" gift. Then some smaller less expensive things. Whatever they choose as their big gift, we try and get. They don't mind if the same amount is spent on each. Their just happy they get that big gift that they've asked for.

 

We don't have a whole lot of people to buy for. My mom, dad, 2 brother's and their wives, teachers and that's about it. His family doesn't acknowledge my kids so their not included in my life.

Edited November 17, 2013 by jade2002

[momof3luvs1]

I always hope to spend about 2500.00 total but I often end up going over as I have a lot of people to buy for. I usually spend about 300 per child ( I have 3) and 100 per niece/nephew ( I have 6). Then on everyone else it all depends what I know they would really like. I do shop year long though so I dont feel it all at once, I also save a little bit each month in our savings so very little of it comes out of paychecks in nov-dec since we usually spend extra those months on holiday activities. Anything left goes on credit card that gets paid off with income taxes in Jan since I do our taxes right away. 

[leefamily23]

Our budget varies year to year depending on how that year is going.  We did make the rule about 10 years ago, nothing gets charged and we don't touch our savings for the holiday so it's all based on the cash at hand.

 

There have been years dh and I didn't exchange and we spent about $300-400 total.  Then there are years like this year where bonuses, project work and/or retro paid raises hit at the right time of year and we have been known to spend several grand.  

 

I have 3 nieces/nephews, my parents, dh, ds and dh's aunt (she pretty much raised him) to buy for and I think my budget this year will top out around $4000-4500.  That being said we got dh's aunt a new snowblower from Lowes for Christmas so that really raised my spending this year.  It was just one of those years that lots of things fell just right at the holiday shopping season and thinking back there is only 1 other Christmas that I think we spent that much.  

[peppysfireball]

I don't budget. I spend what I have to to buy what everyone wants. I have a xmas club each year with around 800 in it, but still have to spend probaby 1000 more. I have 3 kids and 4 grandkids, My son and daughter both live wiht people with 6 more kids. I do buy the exact same number of presents for each group. Like my youngest living at home gets around 12 presents, the older 2 get around 8 and the grandkids get around 6 or 7. The extra kids get around 4. My youngest who is still at home always wants gaming systems. I probably spend 500 or 600 on him. THe older 2 usually ask for one 150 item and several smaller ones. THe grandkids I spend maybe 100 or 150 on depending on what they want. I bought them tablets last year. I do bargain shop  through the year. I have 2 granddaughter that's 1 that I keep 6 days a week while her mom works. I tend to spoil her more,but we don't open presents with each family at the same time. They each come at a good time for them. My son usually xmas eve and my daughter xmas morning after my youngest has opened his. My husband has been out of work since July, so this xmas it is harder than usual. 

[jakesmommy403]

I try to keep the amount of presents the same for each kid, but the budgets are always off because a "big" present for my DS4 might be a large stuffed giraffe that cost $50 and a "big" gift for my DS9 might be a 3DS XL that cost $200, you know? They're way off in price but equal in wow factor. So I try to just go by what the boys want.  They each get a few "Wow Gifts" and then a bunch of regular gifts. I'm sure as the little guy gets older the budgets will even out, but for now he's a cheap date.  I think I'm around $500-$600 on DS9 and around $350 on DS4 and they each have an equal pile of gifts (and are DONE). HTH! 

[Cblaramore]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Helps me to get better organized with what I have to work with this year!

[AudreyNicole]

We don't really have a budget.  I shop a little every pay day, starting in July.  This year, we are doing something I saw on pinterest.  I have 2 boys, 10 and 11, and they will each get something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read + stocking and a few small surprises.  At this point, we have spent about 1/2 of what he spent last year, and the boys have really enjoyed choosing things they'd like that fit into each category.  It forces them to be choosy, so I know that what they are asking for are things they'd really love to have, and it keeps things from getting too huge and costly.  They both asked for ipod touch 4th generation for their "want" gift, they "need" cases and itunes gift cards, their "wear" gifts were new hightops for one and a watch for the other, and each a nice book.  We will have spent about $350 on each of the boys this year,  much less than past years, and I think they will be THRILLED on Christmas morning.  DH and I spend about the same on eachother, and use DH's holiday bonus to shop for eachother.  Otherwise, we buy for my parents, 2 sisters, 1  niece, 1 nephew, 3 teachers and my BFF.  Those gifts range from $15 - $100 each, depending on who it's for.  We spend what we can comfortably spend as we pay cash for everything.

[Cblaramore]

We don't really have a budget.  I shop a little every pay day, starting in July.  This year, we are doing something I saw on pinterest.  I have 2 boys, 10 and 11, and they will each get something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read + stocking and a few small surprises.  At this point, we have spent about 1/2 of what he spent last year, and the boys have really enjoyed choosing things they'd like that fit into each category.  It forces them to be choosy, so I know that what they are asking for are things they'd really love to have, and it keeps things from getting too huge and costly.  They both asked for ipod touch 4th generation for their "want" gift, they "need" cases and itunes gift cards, their "wear" gifts were new hightops for one and a watch for the other, and each a nice book.  We will have spent about $350 on each of the boys this year,  much less than past years, and I think they will be THRILLED on Christmas morning.  DH and I spend about the same on eachother, and use DH's holiday bonus to shop for eachother.  Otherwise, we buy for my parents, 2 sisters, 1  niece, 1 nephew, 3 teachers and my BFF.  Those gifts range from $15 - $100 each, depending on who it's for.  We spend what we can comfortably spend as we pay cash for everything.

I saw that on Pinterest too and that looked like a great idea! Think I'm going to try that!

[Elmck]

I have a large list. So for my 5 older children, 3DIL and 1SIL, and 5 grandbabys, I spend $75.00 a piece. For DD10 I spend between $150-$200.  For DB, DSIL and 1Nephew I spend 40 each, for my folks I did a little extra this year. And spent about $150 each ( I wanted to do something special for them)MIL and FIL (2 sets) $25 each. I have to get gifts for 12 students, and my kids in Sunday School, folks I work with, and a few other friends that will be with us for Christmas at some time during the day. I set aside money every week just so I can have this much, but I always wish it was more. My parents always do the same amount for each of my children and their spouses so we combine the money to get larger or most wanted gifts.  

[wittenlover]

I'm not much of a big spender on Christmas, really. Small family + separated by several hundred miles = we don't ship stuff to each other. Dad and I live close enough (4 hour drive) that I usually try to spend a couple of days with him. He and I usually trade $100 gift cards to favorite stores and other small gifts, adding up to roughly $150 total (GC + gifts) for me.

 

I never know what to get my brother and he's likewise with me. We buy for ourselves as we need/want, so we usually trade phone calls, as those are precious commodities for us, being on opposite coasts and him always working odd hours. Last year, however, I sponsored a child in his honor that happens to share his birthday. A gift that keeps on giving, as I have shared pictures & such that I have gotten with him since my sponsorship of the little girl began. He thought it was a great idea at the time and continues to get joy from it. Perfect.

 

Cats usually get a new scratching post/cat tree (depending on the sales), fresh catnip, and a bunch of new toys to chase around the house (and for me to step on at night! LOL).

 

Otherwise, I have a few friends I buy small gifts for, but my love is baking, so most everyone close by gets homemade cookies, fudge, and other yummy things. Total budget for that varies but usually runs me about $100 for all the ingredients + who knows how many hours of my time. Labor of love for me, though, and always well received.

 

Total yearly budget for me, give or take $50, runs about $400.

[chrisjuvers]

I set a gift limit of $500 per child, we have 4 sons. I want my kids to appreciate what they get but understand that they cannot ask for a "car" or something outrageous. I am not an ATM, lol

 

$50 for inlaws, nieces , nephews, etc "family". $25 for friends

[stevierocks]

ok....how can anyone stick to the" something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" with gottadeal  here? i have wanted to do that for 2 years...but the shopping and deals drag mein...and then i have gone past it... i will also go past a budget, but the outcome is wonderful from all the super deals. 

[jendeere]

ok....how can anyone stick to the" something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" with gottadeal  here? i have wanted to do that for 2 years...but the shopping and deals drag mein...and then i have gone past it... i will also go past a budget, but the outcome is wonderful from all the super deals. 

I've said I was going to do that for about the last 5 years and haven't been able to stick to it yet lol!  I try but then find something else that I just have to buy. 

 

We don't set a budget.  I've also tried that in the past.  My DD will turn 15 ten days before Christmas and between birthday and Christmas I tend to spend about $1000 on her. The only budget I do try to stick to is the $100 budget we set amongst us siblings.  We rotate every year and every year I go way overboard but this year I think I kept it under $200.  If I don't buy anything else

[AudreyNicole]

ok....how can anyone stick to the" something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" with gottadeal  here? i have wanted to do that for 2 years...but the shopping and deals drag mein...and then i have gone past it... i will also go past a budget, but the outcome is wonderful from all the super deals. 

 

This is our first year doing it, and it went really well.  I made a list first of all of the things I planned to buy, and then did a search on GD forums for just those items, that way I was not tempted to buy other things.  I have become quite addicted to Amazon too... When I started my shopping, I loaded up my Amazon cart full of things from my shopping list, and every payday, I ordered a few things at a time. If an item dropped super low in price, I ordered right away.  I have spent so much less this year than in past years and I am really excited about gift giving because I know my kids will be thrilled.

[elena_398]

I don't have a budget.  I have 2 children ages 19 and 13.

 

This year spent too much though as we remodeled my daughter's bedroom that was supposed to be her "big " gift. She let her pick out her new bedroom furniture which she went from a twin to a full bed, new paint, hardwood floors, etc.  That was over $2000 by itself. Still got her items for under the tree though.....   Dr. Dre Beats, victoria secret stuff,  etc.

 

My son doesn't live at home so he just wants gas cards, cash, and stuff for his car.   Im also giving him a grocery store gift card and gym membership

[mello]

We keep a Christmas club account that saves up about $800 for us every year, so we try to keep it to that. Sometimes we go a little over, but never spend more than $1000 total. We do 3 gifts for each kid - one big "Santa" gift (none of them believe in Santa anymore, but it's still their big gift), and then one from me and one from dh. It's true that the older they get, the more $ we wind up spending on them - little guys are so much easier to find great deals for! But in general we try make each kid's big gift around $100 and their smaller gifts from us around $15-$30, and then with stockings it works out to around $200 total for each of them. Then we do around $100 for each other and $25-$50 on each of our parents. We usually draw names for extended family - siblings, neices, nephews, etc. and that may be another $20 or so.

[tyreejames]

DH and I both have Xmas Club accounts; there's 4 kids and I budget $500 for the younger 3 and $600 for DS17. This year he's getting the Xbox One and 2 games; that was his entire budget. He would be fine with that but momma wouldn't he also is getting a few blu-rays, north face hoodie and a ps3 game.

 

I am under budget for DD10, DS6, and DD3. It all balances out.