How much would you spend..

[Mabuisakura]

on a 6 month old baby?

I will have one by Christmas and I have no idea what I should get and be frugal. What would you do?

[tinapbeana]

Re: How much would you spend..

honestly? everyone i know says kids are happiest playing with the boxes. my parents have photographic evidence that this was the case with me!

perhaps a cute outfit and start a savings account for the child? start a tradition of deposits for every Christmas and birthday.

[kunoichi]

Re: How much would you spend..

Hmm....I think a lot of that depends on personal views. Because a 6 month old won't really be too picky on their Christmas present :-). I would probably get things that they could appreciate when they are older since it will be their first Christmas. Maybe a "Baby's first Christmas" ornament, special keepsakes, etc. On the practical side you could always get some good outfits!

[The Budget Man]

Re: How much would you spend..

One of the happiest Christmas Day's for our children when they were little was when there were a couple of cousins and the four little ones played and crawled through the wrapping paper from the gifts.

The fun is getting the gift and playing with the paper.

Enjoy this Christmas
The Budget Man

www.PersonalityBudgeting.com for the easy way to not blow the budget this season.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: How much would you spend..

I like Tina's idea of a savings account!

[beebop25blue25]

Re: How much would you spend..

For a 6 month old?? They don't have a clue that they are even supposed to get gifts on Christmas, but I know the parents do and that is basically who you are pleasing at such a young age. I'd go to yard sales, thrift stores, consignment shops, etc. and get a few age appropriate toys and spend maybe $25.00 total. Wrap each one individually so that it appears to be alot and do like tina said, open a savings account for the little one and save!! Believe me, I have 5 kids, and they can't hardly even tell you what they got last Christmas, but they can tell you what we did, what games we played, who came over, etc. You wanna make Christmas special, but make it about the getting together, the meal that you share, the making of cookies, good memories, not about presents!

[Aleta]

Re: How much would you spend..

I think for that age that clothing is appropriate. You really can't get enough for pajamas, socks, and the like. The baby will outgrow everything so quickly.

[tinapbeana]

Re: How much would you spend..

another thought: maybe start a collection of ornaments made by little susie or billy. you can get a box of the 18 count balls for cheap and use non-toxic paint that washes up with water. each year let susie/billy decorate the ball however they want, clean him/her up and then spray varnish the ball to protect the paint job. as long as the materials are non-toxic, i would think even a 6 month old could have fun finger painting a bit, or be 'convinced' to put a handprint on an ornament.

my mom, sister, & i did this with blown out easter eggs, and still have a collection we painted from ages 8-15 or so...

[creditcardfree]

Re: How much would you spend..

A classic board book such as Goodnight Moon. A teether ring. Spillproof cups. Just my 2 cents. I also have a young baby to buy for...less than 3 months! As far as how much to spend, that is a personal decision based on your budget. When first daugher was less than a year I only bought 3 gifts, just because she didn't know what to expect. For my nephew this year I only have about $10 to $15 budgeted, since he is one of 9 neices and nephews.

[Ima saver]

Re: How much would you spend..

I honestly would not get anything for a baby that young. I like the savings acount idea.

[fairy74]

Re: How much would you spend..

I'm with Ima let the little one crawl through all the shiny paper. Start the savings account, a six month old has no idea what presents are...

[threebeansalad]

Re: How much would you spend..

Board books (children's books with the sturdy pages that don't tear). Check out TJ Maxx and similar stores for lower prices than bookstores. IMHO, kids can have too many toys and clothes, but kids can never have too many books.

[cschin4]

Re: How much would you spend..

I would just a few toys at Goodwill.

[Hez]

Re: How much would you spend..

Haha, I have a picture of myself as a baby playing with a large box. Apparently I was fascinated by it!

I like kunoichi's idea of a keepsake "Baby's first Christmas" ornament. After all, the child will only get one first Christmas (even though he/she won't remember it!).

Personally, if it was my child anything after some sort of keepsake gift would be practical, like little socks or outfits, or anything else the child needs.

[SavedintheCity]

Re: How much would you spend..

As a person who has done a great deal of financial self analysis, let me tell you what I would do. Assuming that it's your baby (I can't remember from your post if it is) I would buy the baby one or two oufits, not speding over $25-$50 on them. Then I would do one of three things:

1. purchase $100-$500 worth of 10-year Tbills.

2. Open an ING or Emigrant Bank online MMA transfer $100-$500 into it.

3. Open a 529 college savings plan. I am not sure what sort of buy-in you need (some like IRA's will require $2,500 to start). If you can open one add $100-$500.

Do one or all, or a combination of these each Christmas. Principal alone for these over this time will be $1,800 (thinking until kid goes to college here if you get the drift of this post). As a somewhat recent grad school graduate let me tell you this: student debt is some of the worst debt you can have. Despite the comparatively low interest rates, it hits you at the most vulnerable time in your financial life: right after graduation from college. Give your child the gift of freedom, lower the amount of student debt that your child must have after graduation.