Re: what's your average Christmas budget?

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Nieces and nephews under 18 get $25, One good friend and I exchange a gift- I buy what I feel she will love and try to keep it under $50. Since she buys for both DH and I , i feel her gift should reflect that she buys 2 gifts.I have some neighbors and some close family that we agree to keep all gifts under $20. That is hard to do though. DH and I don't typically buy each other gifts but instead split the cost of getting something we want for our house.

JHJH · ‎03-21-2013

Except for 5 great nephews, we stopped exchanging gifts years ago. Let's face it, most of us probably don't need anything, and if I do, I buy it. Also, I find the excessive spending at the holidays somewhat troubling. So my budget is under $200 and this allows for supporting favorite charities.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

I have always had a small family. For most of my life I have had to buy my own Xmas gifts and "make Christmas" for the family that I have had, who weren't even appreciative at that.

I buy what I can afford to buy without going into huge debt. Maybe $75 apiece for 2-3 people and $30 apiece for 3-4 more, and that's it. But I have family members who spend in the thousands for kids and grandkids, when that's really above their budget (not my business). I have never been tempted to do that.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

The beauty of having no kids is no worries about getting hit in the pocketbook. We're the lone rangers, me and dh.

We do give gifts for some special people but always hope they don't get us anything as we have too much clutter as it is.

DiAnne · ‎09-22-2010

I buy gifts all year. My grandchildren are in their 20's and single. I buy gifts for them and my daughter and son-in-law. Books used to be a big gift in our family but with the Kindles, etc not anymore. I give plates of homemade cookies to neighbors and a few friends. I shop all year so I can find the perfect gift hopefully on sale. I probably spend between $300 and $500 depending on the year. We are not extravagant.

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

I really never give myself a dollar budget. I buy x amount of gifts for each. Now that we're retired, I will be shopping for sales for sure.

"Pure Michigan"

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

I buy for 12 people.....my parents, my children and grandchildren, and DH. It probably totals around $ $2500.

luvdoodles · ‎06-19-2010

Each year I spend less and less. I buy for my mother, 2 daughters (one a stepdaughter), SIL, three nieces and two grandsons. My brothers and I stopped gifting each other a few years ago. Last year I did bake them some cookies and they all said they have more than enough goodies that they received from co-workers. Not doing that this year. I will be giving grandsons some money, they love that. I was really bummed out this Summer when I was helping my stepdaughter loading her SUV with some stuff and saw the outfits I gave one of my grandsons still sitting in her car. I didn't say anything, but it sure made me think twice about gift giving. They were never even tried on. What a waste of money. My husband and I don't exchange gifts either. We have all we need. I am hoping to spend around $500 this year rather than the $2000 we used to spend.

queendiva · ‎03-12-2010

My gift list includes two DSs, one GF, my precious dog, (He LOVES Christmas!) six nieces and nephews and a few others, including elderly aunts and uncle. I cash out my CC and Mr Rebates rewards towards funding gifts; I keep the gifts in the $20-25 range and buy throughout the year so as not to get slammed at Christmas, The exception is for my DSs: no budget here, but now that they are in their 20s the type of gifts have changed a bit, LOL!

One son and his GF expect to close on their first house between Thanksgiving and Christmas. They need everything, so I will give each of them a small personal gift and I am in the process of filling a large hamper with household things found on sale and clearance. Other DS will graduare from college in May, and will probably be relocating by next Christmas, He is the easist to buy for: He sends me his Amazon Wish List. I choose from that and add whatever I might see elsewhere for him. While I have no set budget for them, I do try to keep the spending equal for both.

Sadly, this will be the first Christmas without Mom.

I also make a few significant charitable gifts. In addition, once nieces and nephews graduate from college, I give just a small, token gift. I have many siblings and in-laws. We stopped exchanging with each other once the children started coming.

I have already busted the budget a bit by buying The TSV Christmas tree a few days ago. I needed to downsize, and this tree looked like what I needed. I had been shopping for one, and the less expensive ones were just not cuttung it. The 7.5 foot tree I bought in 2007 for $99.00 at Wal-Mart and love will go to DS, who always put it up for me in past years. It's a great tree, but I need something smaller that I can do by myself.

Cookie2025 · ‎03-10-2010

@GCR18 wrote:
I spend $300 for immediate family. $20 for friends. I am pretty good at finding things the recipients will like at a steep discount. I'm notorious for giving practical gifts. The way I look at it, the recipient doesn't have to buy it and can spend their own money on things they want.

... and I, for one, appreciate those kinds of gifts.