How much do you put away for Christmas shopping?

[dehoyos4]

I buy through out the year only things on sale. Yesterday for instance I found sweater at old navy for $5. I picked up 5. I found a 3 piece set for my nephew for $3. Last month I picked up a skirts, tees, and pants for my nieces for $1 each at walmart. I got lucky so I took advantage. I really like buying each respective person a few things so I make sure to think of each person through out the year. I get something they might need and something they want. Few years back I spend over $1000 one December and ever since then I have been looking through out the year. It will save you from the long lines in December.

[tark]

I usually put away around $700.

[disneysteve]

We don't put anything away in advance. We pay for any gifts out of current income.

[minnie1928]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

We don't put anything away in advance. We pay for any gifts out of current income.

Same here. We also don't exchange with adult family members...just the kids.

[maat55]

We buy gifts throughout the year. We also have a family gift arrangement of drawing names and buying a specific amount gifts. I might get shunned, but I have been buying used personal finance books for small token gifts.

[whitestripe]

last year we all decided to not 'do' christmas presents. it was a big load off our minds, and we could not believe how much people get wrapped up in it, once you take a step back. so last year i spent $0 on christmas - we were invited to a christmas lunch with BF's family and were told not to bring anything.
the year before i probably spent around $300 - that was for five brothers and sisters, four parents, BF, and a couple of friends.
This year we are saving for a house, so I imagine we will do a 'no presents' christmas again.

[seattlemanicurist]

I hardly buy for anyone, and over half of it is on my daughter. We draw names in my immediate family and the limit is 15$. My SO and I have a 25$ limit for each other, I get a few things for my niece, and the rest is for my daughter. For my daughter I typically get one new outfit, one new set of pajamas, one larger toy, a few smaller toys and books, an outfit for her Build-A-Bear, and stocking stuffers.

I tend to get some large cash tips around the holidays, so I just buy my gifts with that and eat out a lot less in Nov and Dec. .

[geojen]

We put aside 40 dollars a week. This funds DH hunting trip in November, my Girls Weekend in November, and all our christmas gifts. So, about 2000 dollars

Breakdown:
400--DH hunting
600--Girl's weekend
1000-Christmas

[stressedmama]

We budget $600. DH and I spend about $100 on each other. We spend about $100 - $120 on each of our 2 boys, $100 on parents, and $60 on 2 nephews, and $40 for gifts/food gifts for daycare workers, neighbors, etc.

[MYOM]

We use spending caps for Christmas and birthdays. My wife and I agree on the amount to be spent and she does all the rest. Who gets how much is left strictly up to her.

Dan Clemons, author and retired Certified Financial Planner

[rob62521]

Here's a holiday spending planner for those of you who like spreadsheets:

Holiday Spending Planner For A Debt-Free Christmas | Christmas Planner

[jeffmem]

Call me a cheapskate but I put away Zero because I don't really buy anyone gifts. It is not celebrated much where I am. I buy Christmas cards which don't cost me that much, the most expensive thing is the postage. Gifts, hmmm, don't really buy any gifts. Though I don't have kids either, and my wife doesn't really care either way, so many I am lucky. ha

[jamiefic]

We hardly spend anything on Christmas. Last year we got our daughter one thing - blocks and pick names (so two other gifts). We might spend $75 total.

[snafu]

Last year we went to Cambodia for a month. We did the family draw, and gave 'bonus' envelop to service providers.

We Budget $1,000. to cover all holiday events, once the money is gone we stop spending. DH and I stopped buying each other gifts many years ago because it became too stressful. We have a family draw but those gifts must be something we have made. This year I drew DSIL and my gift was/is to take out wall-to-wall carpet from her recently purchased condo, and replace with laminate flooring. She lives in a city 3 hrs. away so this has been a huge logistical and $$$ project. Our DKs each get a gift card which will likely be used to buy 'branded' jeans. We have no small [Santa] children in the family just now.

We give money in an envelop to service people like paper carrier, mail, etc. and home baked goodies for medical providers, colleagues, friends who don't have time/like kitchen.

[Gjowers]

We pay from our current income. I wish the holidays were not so commercialized. It's nice to give and to receive gifts, of course. But it does create some pressures that can detract from the holiday. Has anyone else seen the documentary "What Would Jesus Buy?" It's radical, but it makes a good point and gives you something to think about.

[cicy33]

I think alot of families nowadays use xmas also to afford to get things that they just can't all year long. Everything from clothing to toys, to electronics. We save all year so that we can. I know we don't do much all year, limited bdays, etc, so that xmas can be nice.