What do you spend on the holidays?

[b4freedom]

I like to budget. In my budget I include a five month projected cash flow. Yesterday, when I sat down to work on it, Christmas was included in my projected cash flow. This got me to thinking about two things: First, something that happened last Christmas. And second, how do other people budget for Christmas and how do other people decide what to spend on each other.

Last year, at a holiday lunch, a coworker asked my boss how much he spends on each of his kids for Christmas. My boss said that his wife did most of the shopping and wasn’t exactly sure. But, it wasn’t really even for each kid. My coworker then says, “I spend $1000 on each kid. This way, I know I get them an equal amount.” My boss said, “I probably spend $1000 for all five of my kids!” I laughed and asked my coworker if he’d adopt me at Christmas time.

I know its months away, but how much do you typically spend? Do you budget for it? Do you save for it? Or do you just end up spending it without thinking about it? Would that mean you have to pay for it later? What do you typically spend for various family members? Do you try to keep it even?

[Broken Arrow]

$1000 per child?!

Seriously!?

My parents totally gipped me.

[cashqueen]

We generally budget about $50 per person. Last year it was a little less because money was tighter. I have one child, he will be 2 in just over a month. I will probably just buy him a few inexpensive stocking stuffers like I did last year. Then I put $50 in his account. We save up all year. It's really hard to buy anything in advance because everyone is so hard to buy for. We usually give out alot of gift certificates. I've heard of a website that you can buy discounted gc on. I think I will join that around the holidays and save some $$.

[sakigt]

Im a youngin (relatively) so I dont have too many to worry about:

Mom: $100
Dad: $100
Boyfriend: $100
Best Friend: $50
Younger Brother: $50
Random Person: $50 (usually an office secret santa-type deal)

$1000 per child! Sheesh. I bet their house is packed with junk!

[KellyJef]

We tried something new last year.

Instead of buying each other gifts (that we certainly didn't need!), we decided to take the money we would normally spend on each other (DH, me, our 26-year old DD and her fiance) and spend all the money buying stuff to donate to Toys for Tots.

Shopping for toys for those kids was sooooo much easier (and a lot more fun) than racking our brains trying to come up with gifts for ourselves.

Since I am a VERY good shopper, we were able to donate tons and tons of really nice gifts (all in the range of $10-$15 each).

We wanted to include my in-laws in this, but they didn't want to do it. To be honest, I was a little disappointed about that.

[lrjohnson]

I spend zero on decorations. (I find a live tree, decorated with "childhood ornaments", is fun every ten years or so.)

I try to get gifts year round so it's hard to pinpoint gift spending. In 2005 I gave $840 in gifts, though that does include treating people to meals out. Looking to find just Christmas I'd say it was about $300, $350. (I did give my dad $1000 for a laptop in January 2006.

I'd say that this year I'm looking at much much less.

[annscash]

We are retired. We have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. We used to do present to kids, grandkids, friends, and other family. Then we got tired of being gifted with things we didn't need, didn't want, and had no place to store. Way too much of it went directly to Goodwill. We figured most of the folks on our list felt the same way.

We have always give $$ to the kids and grandkids for Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, Graduations, Births. So we continued that but we sent a lovely note to them al saying that we didn't need or want anything--that their love was the best gift they could give to us--and suggested they stop giving us gifts. We occasionally get a small gesture gift but they no longer have to budget for gifts for us and we write checks.

Then we did the same thing with family and friends. The only family we gift is my mother who is 83 and can really use $. We no longer buy her gifts--just send a nice check for Christmas, Mother's Day, and her Birthday.

We gave up gifting one another the 2nd year we were married. Neither of us has to spend the time, $, and effort to try to "surprise" and "please" the other. If either of us wants something--anytime--we discuss it and if it is in the budget, we buy it.

It works for us.

[Broken Arrow]

$50. Now that sounds more like the kind of budget I'm working with during the holidays.

I used to not make a big deal about the holidays. Not that I dislike the holidays, but rather, I thought it was way too commercial and, more importantly, too costly.

Unfortunately, that didn't jive with my ex who, to this day, complains that I was a killjoy and that I've left an emotional scar about not celebrating it like she used to.

I didn't want to be a killjoy. I just didn't want it to be so costly and commercial anymore!

Argh! Sorry, had to vent. You guys are probably tired of me complaining about my ex by now so... I'll try to keep it to a minimum.

[marjorie]

My kids are in their 20s and I usually spend $100-$150 each. There are still things they both actually need, and $$ they get from other relations goes to bills and needs. What I get is normally something I think they'll enjoy, but wouldn't buy for themselves. Last year I got an IPOD Shuffle for using a credit card, and bought the other child an MP3 player also. I won enough songs for a good start for one child, and bought a gift card for the other.They were very surprised. One child uses his daily, she still hasn't loaded one song. If I recall correctly the previous year was XBOX. I was able to get the xbox and 2 games by shopping very carefully,and it ran slightly over $100 each. I also do stockings filled mostly with toiletries, scents and gift cards. They usually run $25-75 each. My grandson normally gets one big gift, but it's often been a well-loved toy. This year I'm not too sure what he'll get. His birthday is also in December. My ex-MIL gets a token gift, and enough food to make a serious dent in her freezer space.
Meal is usually a big deal, but getting smaller and less costly every year. We went from $300 to about $80 for last year, including bells and whistles. Friends and coworkers usually get gifts from $10-18, bf gets more like $40-$50. She's quite poor and most appreciative.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by marjorie

Last year I got an IPOD Shuffle for using a credit card

...

I was able to get the xbox and 2 games by shopping very carefully,and it ran slightly over $100 each.

This is a amazing. Good work.

[poundwise]

Christmas has become a time when many Americans truly show their wastefulness and greed. It both saddens and sickens me.

Everyone says Christmas is not about stuff. That its about religious values and/or a time for family, however, many only give either of those aspects lip-service.

IMO, children get way too much, adults spend way too much, and I would venture to say that a great number of Americans put much, if not all, of Christmas expenses on credit cards that they will be paying on until at least the next Christmas.

For those who celebrate Christmas as a time to recognize the birth of Christ, it would seem appropriate to consider what would Jesus approve of. Gluttony, greed, wastefulness, and the love of stuff would not seem to fit the bill.

I believe Christmas should be simple. Of course, more focus and likely more money will go into giving children presents, however, even that should be reasonable. This is not for the sake of a bank account or pocketbook, but for the sake of the children. To appreciate what they have. I know so many people with children who have tons of stuff and most of it is never played with or cared for properly. A few gifts for the kids. A single gift or two exchanged between most of the relatives. Maybe something nicer for the parents. Something meaningful between spouses.

If Christmas is to be a time for reflection and family, then make it that way. What I see most often is that it is a time for rushing about instead of relaxation, debt instead of thankfulness, stress instead of peace and joy.

BTW, if someone asks me what my favorite holiday is, it is no contest: my anniversary. Second place? January 1st, the Christmas of college football.

[PrincessPerky]

We might be cheapskates, and we don't look at a perfect dolar amount (but we do match numbered opened) but I think about 100 for the three of em is right, and a little more for the ILs (they have 4 kids 2 adults)

I really think too much money is spent on stuff....

[Broken Arrow]

Now, see Poundwise, that's EXACTLY how I think Christmas should be as well. My ex would not like you much either.

I'm really glad to be on a forum where people can understand me. I really am.

[34saving]

In my extended family each kids gets a kid and each adult gets an adult. Last year the expected expenditure was about $30. So, 3 gifts (three people in the family) = $90 + a gift for grandma ($8 for a really big box of oatmeal + a mixed CD last year). Dd usually gets some dollar store/thirft store kind of stuff from us (under $5). It's amazing how much pleasure a 2-year-old can get from a 15 cent new box of crayons . Then there's something simple for the in-laws, usually involving some in of labor since they're definitely in the "too much stuff" category. (Probably about $20 here.) So, I guess total will be around $150 once I figure in the stuff I'm forgetting about . . . I don't specifically budget, but I'm not very good about budgeting in general. (See if anybody on this site ever reads my advice again!) I just try to do everything on the cheap

I usually spend 0$ on Christmas, my family in general don't care about Christmas, Chinese New year is more important than any official holidays, plus I received money from my grandparents, my mom and my aunt. =D One day when I get marry, I would have to do the same with my family.

I remember three years ago that I spend less than 100$ on gift alone for friends and for my sister... Oh yeah, my brother bought me a Christmas present last year, and I think I gave him 30$ four months ago, I never ask for a gift, but he insisted on exchanging gift, so I accepted. He gave me a Final Fantasy X-2 for 45$ and I thought he was crazy, ah well.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by T_I_N_A20

He gave me a Final Fantasy X-2 for 45$ and I thought he was crazy, ah well.

Did you like the game?

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

Did you like the game?

Before I played it, I really want the game, after I played it, I didn't like it because the storyline doesn't make sense, it was not like Final Fantasy X, but I'm grateful that he gave me this game though, I was thinking of buying it when it's cheaper, like now, it's 25$. I told him to wait till it's cheaper, but he insisted on buying it now. If he asks me to exchange gift again, I'll set him a limit of how much the christmas present will cost, I don't want to repeat the accident again.

[Broken Arrow]

Hmm, yeah, it is different in many ways. Thanks for your input!

[Ima saver]

Christmas used to be a big deal for us, we wrapped up everything even if it cost 50 cents!! My husband started a trend where he would give me one present for every year old I was and I would match it. We quit that a while back. (I got too old)
Now we just give each other a few gifts. I send my grandchildren $100 each. I use to send my daughter $200, but since I have never gotten a thank you note, birthday card, etc. from her in the last 15 years, i think she is going to be surprised this year.
I like getting toys and donating them to local causes.
Christmas is kind of hard for us because we are all alone.

[kealina]

i think it's a little too greedy, materialistic, etc too...
me and DH have concurred that we'd like to institude an old-fashioned christmas when we get established with our own home and family... stuff like watching christmas movies with some hot cocoa/cider and popcorn, decorating the tree, singing christmas songs/listening to christmas music... we'd like to limit the presents and maybe emphasize the stockings...
when i was a kid we had a tradition of getting walnuts in our stockings and we would all sit around on christmas morning with nutcrackers and eat walnuts together... stuff like that...

for now, we don't spend much at all... we keep our eyes peeled at yard sales and clearance sales or in places where we have store credit... we just have our parents, siblings, and each other... maybe $20-50 each, especially as i've been in college and then we were saving to pay for our wedding... me and DH just stuff each others stockings and maybe a small gift... i always stuff his with stuff like jalepeno jelly .... the first year, he wanted to try it but wouldn't spend $5 a bottle... when i was shopping without him i saw it was on sale for 2.50 and so i picked up one... it turned out he liked it so much it was gone in 2 weeks... luckily it seems to go on sale in december so for the last 2 years i've bought a couple bottles and put it in his stocking... =)... predictable but i know he likes it... i tend to buy food for people if i know what they like as i know they will consume it... plus everybody we know has too much stuff already....