Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I never really added it up, but it's probably close to $400-$500 each. Last year, each got a big present that was about $200, plus a ton of other smaller presents.

This year we are scaling back big time with a baby due to arrive in March. I've been buying a bunch of $20-$30 things, and I don't think they will notice anything different, except they get a lot more presents to open!

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

i didn't have a budget this yr., but we spent way less than last yr. DS who is 5 is getting a parking garage toy ($55), used a GC so it came out to be $35, and a a few Cars 2 toys, $35. DD who is 3 will be getting a princess castle toy ($80). stocking stuffers will be $25 or so. will get DS who is 8 mos. a little something.

felt DS #1 would not be interested in leap pad so i cut that out. last yr. we spent $150 on each.

Message edited 12/4/2011 11:25:01 AM.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

Posted by ME75

well if that's crazy then call me crazy b/c i am at about the same per kid i am terrible at keeping a bduget and also shop sales but my enthusiasm gets the best of me! i don't go crazy with buying them toys all year so i have fun with getting them stuff from Santa for Christmas...even growing up we were not spoiled or wealthy but my parents always gave us a generous Christmas morning.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

$250-$300 It adds up so quick! I got him some MobiGo games, books and a talking globe and dropped $160 like that. The other $100 will go towards action figures, a WWE truck and some other toys. He constantly gets things from us and from our family and his birthday is at the end of September so you can only imagine his room...TRU galore!

You know whats going to be his favorite thing to play with at Christmas though? My new iPad...

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I spent just about $200 on DD this year, I may add a few other things, but dont plan on going over $250. Her birthday is just 3 days after Christmas and she'll be getting another big gift for that.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I have 1 DD and am just under $500 for her. We celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas in our house though - so I feel like I had to buy her more to give her 8 nights of gifts and then a bunch of Santa gifts. She is getting a kitchen set from Santa so that is a big gift.
I love CHristmas - it's my favorite time of year. I don't feel bad about what I spend...if I couldn't afford to I wouldn't do it. I don't put myself into debt doing it...so it's fine.

ETA: DD will be 18 mos at Xmas

Message edited 12/4/2011 9:42:19 PM.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

my ds is only 1 so I just put $200 in the bank extra for his college fund

I planned to spend only $50 for my neice- that's ballooned to well over $150

My 13 year old cousin I planned to spend $50 and I'm at $200

da*mn cyber monday

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

For our own kids, we spend about $100-250 depending on what we got. Like this year, my 2 yr old has about $225 bc we got him a leappad just by pure luck. My 1 yr old has about 150.

We cut all our nephews down to $50 each gc there are 4 of them. Then immediate family or little cousins get $25 due to there being 8 of them.

For us, its always really been about the quality of the gifts & not really the monetary value behind it.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

at this age, not much.
$100-$200 total.

Last year, was under $100. I like to put 4-5 gifts under the tree.

This year, getting a kitchen so that is the big gift.


I grew up in a very budgeted household. There was always $ but they were very disciplined with it. So that kind of rubbed off on me. Christmas was always nice but never overload.


I love the idea of saving $ every year for a downpayment.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

We went to walmart and spent $278.00 and I think DD has enough.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

No real budget but I probably won't spend more than $100. We are getting a gift from us and one from Santa. DD will also get gifts from her grandparents and aunts.

We already have no room for any more toys.... So the idea of getting her a ton more toys makes no sense to me.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I have not started Christmas shopping yet.

We'll probably end up spending $200-300 per child. I don't put together a budget. I just buy what they want/need.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I set my budget at $150, and then I bought kitchen that costs $134

I do budget though. I think it's important. I don't shop for toys for him often. his birthday and Christmas and then seasonal stuff during the year...but I am not a "walk into store, buy a toy" person.

that being said, I don't want either of us to be overwhelmed by stuff. I plan on getting rid of some of his old toys this month to make room for the new.

this year, subtracting the leappad and the stuff I bought for it, I spent around $175.

we also just bought him a sled from LL Bean but I am not sure if that's a christmas present. that was $120.

Message edited 12/5/2011 3:42:49 PM.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I don't plan on spending more than $100 on DD. Our families are extremely generous and have bought DD so much for christmas already, aside from a few small things I think she will pretty much get everything I put on her list this year. More likely than not, we will just put aside money for her.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

Off the top of my head, this year, their "big gift" is the FBB show in March.

I'm picking up stuff here and there. I got my DD the "play house" (used) and I'm buying a gift from someone for her (they bought 2 by accident). Also picked up a play lap top and her "First tea set". I think I'm getting her mega blocks and a music set and she's done.

DS is getting a marble game that he loves, Jenga, Cars DVD, Cars Memory game, and probably more trains. May pick up some books as well.

I want to say, probably $200 on each kid.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

No budget But we just are not budget kind of people.

Message edited 12/5/2011 9:52:00 PM.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

last year it was $100 on ds - 1 1/2 & he got alot.

this year it will be $150 - Lets Rock Elmo, Lighting McQueen Car, Mater Car, Chuck the truck playset, Matchbox cars, matchbox track & something else

IL's will spent more than that on ds..... he's getting the Leap pad ($200 bundle since that was the only think available on Leapfrog site thanksgiving weekend, even though the weekend before the non bundles were stocked everywhere but I wanted to find them a sale ) plus other toys.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

Our goal was five gifts or less and $100 or less. . .

So far we have three gifts and are at about $50, we may pick up another gift.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

no budget. my kids are spoiled. But if it matters, i use coupons for eveything through the year and never buy anything that is not on sale.ever.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I only have one but I spent over 400 which is sooo crazy!!!!!! I'm thinking after the new baby arrives I'm definitely going to have to budget!!!

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I never set a budget....so I always go crazy...this years was done before thanksgiving ....so I guess I was bored and just kept getting stuff....I'm sure if 1 more package arrives...my DH will not be happy...but I have to say that amazon had everything in stock ..the only item I had trouble finding was the air hogs RC lightning McQueen car I got that at Walmart .

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

I am crazy, I know this...I do not have a budget for my kid's christmas gifts. I just buy them what I know they will like...we always got what we wanted for christmas, so it's what I am used to. I will say, for the baby, I prob spent a little more than 100...but he has EVERYTHING from his brothers already.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

If it were up to me it would have been around $100-$125. If it were up to my dh it would be $300-$400 We compromised on $200 this year.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

Holy cow! U guys are making me feel better!

I don't have a budget. I just buy things that I want the kids to have, but will only get things on sale.

Re: How much do you budget per kid for Christmas?

We're supposed to budget?!?!