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MWeber
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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I know, it's sinful to even bring up Christmas this early - please forgive me.  But since I am due on New Year's Day, I figured I should probably shop throughout the next couple of months.
I just wanted to see roughly how much you all spend on your kids for Christmas. I want to have some fun things for them since we won't be leaving the house much once the baby comes. But obviously there are many good reasons to keep things simple.  Just trying to find a balance.
Thanks!
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Michele
Mom to ds (2006), dd (^2007^), dd (2009), & dd (Dec 2010)
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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Not sinful, Michele. It's wise planning I think esp. for those of us who need it! I printed out the Holiday Grand Plan thingie, but not following it to the letter. I do feel better getting a little bit done each day, esp. the Christmas shopping.
Our Christmas spending on each child really varies, but we shoot for $20 to $50 on average. Sometimes we do group gifts that cost more, and once in a while if it's a really special gift we spend much more than $50, like last year when our little girl got a dollhouse. The year before that she kinda got shortchanged in the gift department as we tried to buy some cheaper versions of something she wanted -- and they didn't turn out to be any more useful or durable  .
We always try to take need vs. want into consideration. Like if it's something they really need, we try to balance it out by making it something they'd really want as well, e.g., I can buy them a functional sweater at the thrift shop, but if they need a sweater anyway AND it's Christmas then I go for the fancier, a bit pricier version at the mall.
If it's strictly a want, depending on the age of the child sometimes we give them half of the cost as Christmas money (like this year the little girl is saving up for an American Girl doll).
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stef
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 10:22am | IP Logged
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that's probably about where we are too Stef..
One thing to watch though.. you have to count in stockings if you do them in your budget.. they can add up sooooo quickly if you're not real careful.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 2:38pm | IP Logged
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I was just searching about ideas for gifts and came back to see this!!!
We have actually NEVER in 10 years bought my children a Christmas gift! My children are the only grandchildren on my side so the gift barrage is INSANE! We buy stocking stuffers and make something for each child from the family.
We spend about $50 total but like I said, we don't get the children their gifts, that comes from my parents, brothers, my grandparents and all the aunts and uncles.
I still need ideas for that though, off to start another thread!
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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MWeber
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 7:13pm | IP Logged
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Mimip wrote:
| We have actually NEVER in 10 years bought my children a Christmas gift! My children are the only grandchildren on my side so the gift barrage is INSANE! |
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We are in the exact opposite situation. DH and I are the youngest of 5 and 6 children. Hence, there are a lot of grandkids that are older than ours, and of course, we don't expect a ton from extended family. They just get a gift from each set of grandparents. 
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Michele
Mom to ds (2006), dd (^2007^), dd (2009), & dd (Dec 2010)
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MWeber
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| Posted: Oct 15 2010 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
The year before that she kinda got shortchanged in the gift department as we tried to buy some cheaper versions of something she wanted -- and they didn't turn out to be any more useful or durable .
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That is one of the issues. I want to get some playmobil stuff for my son, but it's pricey. OTOH, it will last for forever. I also want to build up our board game collection, and those aren't necessarily cheap either. I don't expect to spend nearly as much on my dd, since we already have so many good quality toddler toys.
I just made a gift list for my son on amazon, and it was like $150, LOL! I suppose I should cut some things. (I am usually really frugal, but shopping for toys on amazon is just so darn fun.  )
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Michele
Mom to ds (2006), dd (^2007^), dd (2009), & dd (Dec 2010)
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Gloria JMJ
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 12:31am | IP Logged
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I've seen brand new puzzles and other toys at yard sales and second hand stores  some quality stuff too! If you start early enough, you could get most things that way  .
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MWeber
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 6:56am | IP Logged
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Gloria JMJ wrote:
| I've seen brand new puzzles and other toys at yard sales and second hand stores some quality stuff too! If you start early enough, you could get most things that way . |
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Funny you should say that. I just went to some yard sales this past weekend and got some great books and a huge tub of duplos that I can use for Christmas. The tricky thing is to not be tempted to buy stuff simply b/c it's a good deal, and then just have it clutter up your house. 
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Michele
Mom to ds (2006), dd (^2007^), dd (2009), & dd (Dec 2010)
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LLMom
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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In the past we have spent about $50 per child (which is usually 3 gifts), but this year is a major crunch for us so I will be cutting that in half. One set of the grandparents give them each a decent size gift so I am not concerned.
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Lisa
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Christmas gifts
