How much do you spend for Christmas?

[barbara L]

I normally have $600 saved for Christmas. This year I'll probably spend it all.

Normally my kids get three things. Something they want, something I want to get them and something for everybody (our CD player is broken).

Most of it goes towards my kids. I buy breakfast for my staff at work. I usually buy something small for my parents. How does everyone else divvy it up?

[jacquelynrose]

I am thinking of Saving $200 for Christmas (we have a small family). For My Co-Workers I would like to make them Small Gift Baskets (with items I already sell).

Jacquelyn

[frugalfarmwife]

We're lucky in that all our gifts are home grown/made. This year everyone is getting home grown beef and home made squirrel feeders. We just had a beef butchered last week and will be able to give a great selection.

KJ

[Fern]

Used to spend about $500 small family, but have cut way back in recent years, to about $200 or so.

[cicy33]

We spend around $1500 to $2000 each year. We have 5 kids ourselves, his parents (mine are deceased), his brother and his wife, their 5 kids, plus misc family. We always get each other something useful. last year I got a small freezer which I have determined is not working well enough. I need a larger one.

[TBH]

Total: around $400.

* $150 on my sister and her family, because gifts are really important to them.

* $100-150 total on my parents, step parents, my other sister, my grandmother, and my best friend.

* About $20 on teacher gifts.

* Plan to spend about $100 on my son's birthday and Xmas combined (he's a December baby). He's only two, so he doesn't have big requests yet. It's just a matter of restraining myself.

Ways I save money:

* My brother and I have a permanent no-gift pact, which includes our kids and spouses. I have proposed a no-gift pact to my mother this year, as well, because we're both trying to save money.

* I don't buy gifts for work friends or neighbors.

* My spouse is Jewish (non-practicing), so we don't do Xmas gifts for each other or for his family.

[PrincessPerky]

I don't want to know the grand total, thankfully I buy thruought the year so I do not have to look at one fast lump out of my pocket. (big extended family)

We do aim to keep each gift down, and the kids get only 2 or 3 things plus a stocking. but add up the parents and the step parents, and the grandparents and the cousins, and the work and the ....

Nevermind I would be so depressed if I had all of it to do now.

[shengmei]

0 for Christmas. $200 for the weekend AFTER Christmas (when everything is 75% off)

[jodi]

The past few years it has been $1000+. Altogether, DH and I have four parents, two grandparents, two children, nine siblings, four nieces and nephews, and two friends that we buy for (and each other!). This year I told everyone that I was not going to make myself crazy and broke spending $30-40 on everyone (plus a lot more of DH and the kids), so I asked if we could do something different.
DH's family decided to do a "fun" gift of no more than $10. It can be used, a joke, or whatever, as long as you stay within the budget. So I cut out about $150-200 there. For my family, we are still buying for my parents (and kids, obviously!), but the siblings and spouses drew names and agreed to a $50 budget. So I cut out 4 people there, for another $100+ in savings. And hopefully a lot less stress too.
I plan to spend $600 or less this year, but DH plans to spend $1000. I think we are going to compromise at $800. He totally wants to spoil the kids, but I know they will already be spoiled rotten by their aunts and uncles, not to mention grandparents. I think they have too much already, but our families really protested when I said they have too much. I guess if it makes them happy to buy for the kids, they can do it...we're just going to have to clean house (freecycle!) before Christmas to make room!

[Snoopy2645]

I try to keep it to low I spend the most on my kids. I am cutting out most extended family this year I still bought gifts for last year & they didnt say thanks or give me anything back so if I have extra to buy outside my immideate family I will give to a charity or toys for tots certainly wont be my ungrateful brothers & sisters!!

[Tree0164]

About $800 including gifts, pictures, xmas cards.

Theresa

[Firefly]

Way too much! I have a 15 yr old brother who wants all the latest gadgets, as well as in laws, parents, another sister, an aunt. So far we have spent at least $400.

[elcheapo]

it varies year to year but this year about $900

[Luv2shop]

I have 3 kids. I spend atleast $1500. As the kids get older I am sure it will go up. I start my shopping all year around. Day after Christmas sales are great for wrapping paper, decorations and gifts.

[FrugalTexan75]

I guess I'm stingy. I only get gifts for my parents and my brother. This year their gifts are not costing my a penny - they are all getting gift cards that I earned from mypoints.com. My grandma and an aunt will be coming to visit on Christmas Day. I have already decided that I'm going to do two Gifts in a Jar for them. Mostly all I need to buy are two jars, sugar-free tea, and ribbon. So hopefully that won't come out to more than $6 or $7 for the both of them.

I am hoping that next year I can have a budget of $150- but again, that'll just be for immediate family (unless of course next year at this time I have a SO, then he'd be included).

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

[Gailete]

I got a $25 gift certificates to a local grocery store and Walmart for both my boys. I then sewed them each a gift. ($100--the sewing stuff I had)
Made something for son's girlfriend ($5 for supplies)
Ordered a present for Dh ($50)
Will get a $25 gc for my brother.
I plan on making a few more gifts, but I'm done spending money. So total less than $200.

Gail