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how many gifts


colemandawn4905

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This is hard for me too. I always say I’m not going overboard, but I always do. Now my kids barely get many “wants” throughout the year so I try to make up for that at Christmastime. I don’t go by a number, tho. Although, now that they’re older, number has become smaller because of the things that they’re into (electronics!). We moved in the summer so their gifts this year will be mainly stuff to decorate their rooms the way they want them. DD16 will get an updated iPhone (hoping for a nice 6/6Plus deal) as her “big” gift, a few clothes, stocking stuffers and some cash. DD10’s big gift is still undecided (she hasn’t told me what she wants yet), but she’ll also get clothes, stocking stuffers and a gift card or 2. I’ll see how this all works out lol
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I, too, have spoiled my children. Every year I say "next year I'm not going to do as much", but then I start buying. And I try to make sure they get the same # of gifts (even though they're grown and definitely say that's not even necessary) so if I get ahead with one I have to catch the others up.  Of course, they say they would be fine if I didn't buy so much, but that theory has never actually been tested. LOL

 

I do remember one year when my boys were small, my youngest told me "I know why we didn't get very much for Christmas this year". I said "Oh, really?" (thinking they had gotten plenty). He said "Yeah, we got some REALLY good stuff!". LOL.  

 

To answer your question, I don't set a limit before hand. They usually get between 15-20 items each.

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This is always hard for me...I try and get the items on their list along with some other things I think they may like, so there is not a set number...this year, IDK what my budget is yet, but I know it won't be that much...my children are 25, 24, 18 and my 18 yo told me yesterday to let them by all the present for me...to me one big gift or getting the most wanted item always makes up for the other "minor" things they may get and they care less about the amount of presents...

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We do not have a set amount of gifts but I do set a budget to spend on the kids gifts and they do get an equal amount of gifts. They do not get a lot of extras through out the year (unless they buy it themselves) so we tend to spoil them at Christmas.

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My sons are 5 and 3, so a completely different world from the older kids. But it's super easy for gift giving to get out of hand and we have a very generous family so there's no need to drown my kids in toys.

 

Both Santa and Mom and Dad follow the whole "Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read" thing, with some modifications. My kids are too young to need anything, so they basically get whatever they ask Santa for and 3 other toys, clothes (last year Patriots jerseys and pajamas) and two new books. Last year I wrapped up new mittens that they were going to get anyway, but it made one more thing to open. I tend to go overboard on stockings, but whatever doesn't fit becomes Easter basket filler. I don't try to make the dollar value match at this stage, but last year I just happened to hit it within $10 of each other.

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I have always went over board with this and my DW and I decided this year not to. We are setting a limit maybe 5 gifts that they put on there list and a few others we want them to have. 2 of my DD are getting older and do not want as much as my youngest DD, but what they want is expensive. 

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I don’t equate a lot of gifts or wants with being spoiled so the thought never crosses my mind. I have a per child budget that I like to stay around. My kids are spread out in age (22, 15, 11, 8) so the number of gifts never match and I don’t even try to make it. They pretty much get everything they ask for and a few things they didn’t.
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I don’t equate a lot of gifts or wants with being spoiled so the thought never crosses my mind. I have a per child budget that I like to stay around. My kids are spread out in age (22, 15, 11, 8) so the number of gifts never match and I don’t even try to make it. They pretty much get everything they ask for and a few things they didn’t.

I remember one time when my son was younger, something was said about a gift he was getting for Christmas.  My sister asked him "How do you know you're getting it?" and he said "Because I asked for it". Like, duh! LOL.  Very rarely did they ask for something that I didn't figure out a way to get, and they knew it :).

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We do not have a set amount of gifts but I do set a budget to spend on the kids gifts and they do get an equal amount of gifts. They do not get a lot of extras through out the year (unless they buy it themselves) so we tend to spoil them at Christmas.

This is how we are as well.   Since our boys were 8 1/2 years older than my daughter, the number of gifts never matched.  My sons are now 20 (one is married) and my daughter is 12.  There was a time when we could spend around 1000.00 for our two sons (before our daughter was born), but after she was born things got harder financially so we spent around 400 on all three of them.  That first year our daughter was only two months old, so we spent around 50-75.00 on her (mostly things she could play with later but before her first birthday).  Our boys got a bicycle that year and a few games and DVDs.  They were just as happy as the years before.  When our daughter was younger we always spent more on the boys for gifts because they wanted bigger items and our daughter's things cost less.  Now, our daughter's stuff costs more, so since the boys can buy for themselves, we spend a little more on her. :)

 

This year, I am hoping to have around 800-1000 for all of them.  We will probably spend around 150-175 each on one son and his wife, around 200-250 for our son that lives at home and around 300-400 on our daughter.  We are getting a Nintendo Switch, but that is going to be a family gift. :)

Of course, our sons buy what they want since they both work and it's been that way for several years.  We don't buy things for our daughter throughout the year either (mostly birthday and Christmas).  We pay for her violin, violin lessons, and piano lessons.  I will buy her a pack of gum or some candy but I don't buy other stuff.  If she wants something she has to save her money to get it.  

Edited by starbeck96
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When our kids were younger I made sure there was an even number of gifts.  This changed as they got married and the granddaughter came.  Last year when the Saran Wrap ball game was explained to me (Thank you Bopeep for the youtube video link) my problem was solved.  Now if you are over 18 we draw names and have a white elephant gift exchange, under 18 you get more presents. Plus, all can participate in the annual saran wrap ball game. Yes, there are a few baby items wrapped inside the game - whoever gets them are required to give them to the baby.  The ball is filled with nice gift cards, misc. items, personal items, lotto tickets, etc. So, everybody is a winner!! Unfortunately, last year no matter how slow I tried to unwrap the last gift, I still got the center!!! I may have to find an excuse to go change the baby or something this year. I don't want the center, I want to see their faces. 

 

 

Oh, plus this year I am making one for the family that lives out of town.  This group normally means I buy for 4 people (but there are 6 there).  So, by doing a ball for all of them to play together they will all get something.

Edited by Kash
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When our kids were younger I made sure there was an even number of gifts.  This changed as they got married and the granddaughter came.  Last year when the Saran Wrap ball game was explained to me (Thank you Bopeep for the youtube video link) my problem was solved.  Now if you are over 18 we draw names and have a white elephant gift exchange, under 18 you get more presents. Plus, all can participate in the annual saran wrap ball game. Yes, there are a few baby items wrapped inside the game - whoever gets them are required to give them to the baby.  The ball is filled with nice gift cards, misc. items, personal items, lotto tickets, etc. So, everybody is a winner!! Unfortunately, last year no matter how slow I tried to unwrap the last gift, I still got the center!!! I may have to find an excuse to go change the baby or something this year. I don't want the center, I want to see their faces. 

 

 

Oh, plus this year I am making one for the family that lives out of town.  This group normally means I buy for 4 people (but there are 6 there).  So, by doing a ball for all of them to play together they will all get something.

I missed this one but it sounds very intriguing. I have to put this one in the back pocket 

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DS isn't quite two yet but he's getting around 10 gifts plus stocking. I've spent around $115 on everything. DH wants to do read, want, need, wear but I know I couldn't stick to it.

 

Growing up, 5-15 gifts each counting Santa. DH's family it was 2-5 but often big stuff.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We set a budget per child. As our kids have gotten older the number of gifts have gone down, since the dollar amount per item goes up. We usually get them each a big gift and from there they receive "needs" (shoes, pjs, clothes, funny socks, and books) and some stocking stuffers. Fortunately our kids are still excited about unwrapping the gifts that they never care about how many they've received.

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I, too, have always spoiled my kids at Christmastime. They are older now, 25 & 19, and they don't really give me a list of what they want, I just have to guess.

 

I also have 2 sisters and their families that we buy for, we're a very close family (my husband's family, not so much...we don't exchange gifts with his side). It is always a madhouse at my dad's house because there were always so many gifts being passed from here to there and across the room to everyone. While I haven't set a limit as to what I'll spend on my hubby and our sons this year, or the amount of gifts for them, my sisters and I sat down and actually set a price limit of $50 per sister and less for their spouses and kids. I do always try to get the kids the same number of gifts though. Hopefully I can stick to this since I always seem to be done shopping for them but then find that one "perfect" gift that they'd just love. That's what usually gets me in trouble...just one more!

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I have spoiled my daughter as she is my only child. But I remember when I was little only getting one big present and a couple little ones and my stocking and was happy as a lark. I like to at least have one surprise even now she’s older and you have to “stick to the list”. Lol Edited by jewleyp
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I have spoiled my daughter as she is my only child. But I remember when I was little only getting one big present and a couple little ones and my stocking and was happy as a lark. I like to at least have one surprise even now she’s older and you have to “stick to the list”. Lol

Just got my list yesterday and I told them if it is not on there do not expect it and I want size,color,store etc. 

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Total of 7. I follow the something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. Santa brings 3 things. One really big/nice thing (this year am iPad Pro 12 inch) and two smaller wish list items. My daughter is 19 now and in college (hence the iPad) but this has ....almost..... always been our rule.
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I do the Want, Need, Wear, and Read plan for my 3 year old. I also fill a stocking and she gets a Christmas Eve box with pjs, a Christmas book or movie, and a treat (popcorn, cocoa, etc). This is the first year that she has really comprehended the idea of Santa so I will probably have an unwrapped stuffed animal as a Santa gift as well.
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We have 6 Kids ,13 Grandkids,& 2 Greatgrand kids When our kids were younger it was a even number of gifts, you had to the older boys would always count . Now with the grand kids & greatgrand kids everone 13 & over get money $200.00 each  & i shop for the 12 & younger. around 5 to 6 gifts 

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We have 6 Kids ,13 Grandkids,& 2 Greatgrand kids When our kids were younger it was a even number of gifts, you had to the older boys would always count . Now with the grand kids & greatgrand kids everone 13 & over get money $200.00 each  & i shop for the 12 & younger. around 5 to 6 gifts 

$200..... you can adopt me.. and can I get retro pay as well 

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Our boys are 7 and 8, and play travel hockey, so I consider most of their "gifts" to be all of the league and ice fees, equipment, jerseys, hotel stays, etc.  

 

However, they do still get a sizable amount of gifts for Christmas, primarily geared around their favorite sport. So this year they are getting some off-ice training equipment, and a few video games.  I'll fill their stockings with skate laces, stick wax, hand balm, new toques and gloves, foam pucks and candy.  I'm an only child, and DH is an only child, so these are the only grandchildren on either side of our family.  Spoiled is the word of the day...I never worry about buying too much stuff for them because I know grandmas will take care of it LOL

 

Santa only brings books and a nice letter about their year. 

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Our boys are 7 and 8, and play travel hockey, so I consider most of their "gifts" to be all of the league and ice fees, equipment, jerseys, hotel stays, etc.  

 

However, they do still get a sizable amount of gifts for Christmas, primarily geared around their favorite sport. So this year they are getting some off-ice training equipment, and a few video games.  I'll fill their stockings with skate laces, stick wax, hand balm, new toques and gloves, foam pucks and candy.  I'm an only child, and DH is an only child, so these are the only grandchildren on either side of our family.  Spoiled is the word of the day...I never worry about buying too much stuff for them because I know grandmas will take care of it LOL

 

Santa only brings books and a nice letter about their year. 

I agree. Those cheer fees I have to pay are a mortgage themselves.......

Edited by jesusluvu
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