How much do you spend on Christmas?

[Jeff Westover]

In a few weeks we're going to start seeing articles in the news about how much (or this year, how little) everyone will spend on Christmas.

With 7 kids we always have a budget.

Last year it was $600 -- and that's for everything: food, decorations, gifts, events, etc.

I think we'll likely do the same this year.

[dvdguy]

my budget is whatever i can manage:hello:

I always want to spend more

[RadioJonD]

The Winona Ryder approach is looking pretty good these days.

[dvdguy]

what, studying for a role?


hahahahahahaha

[Jeff Westover]

The Winona Ryder approach is looking pretty good these days.

You look good in stripes, eh?

[SparkleNana]

Thank you for bringing up this topic. There is a book called "The $100 Christmas". It tries to help people think of wonderful, meaningful things to do for Christmas which do not involve whipping out the credit card and spending money until we think we have "taken care of things". There are brilliant advertising minds in America which try to persuade us that "Christmas is all about spending money".

[clarebear]

Yep, whatever I can afford, I have no children at the moment. I buy all my family and friends and their children gifts. I do tend to splash out!

[JanaBanana]

Gifts for the 4 kids $1800... for the hubs $450 ....

Not sure on food and I bought another tree last year....

This year things will be different. We have a budget of $1500 - 5 kids.. but with the baby she will get stuff that is stored away from the other kids and only a few new things...
I will be talking to the older 2 about this tighter budget christmas. they are such sweet kids they wont care...

[pinkini]

What we choose to spend that year... I used to spend quite a bit (over $1000) but we have cut back. I am making a lot of gifts this year for friends.

[Jeff Westover]

we have a lot of fun limiting the kids to just $15 each to spend on Christmas. They get REALLY creative and the secret stuff they do leading up to Christmas makes it all the more fun.

[dvdguy]

sounds awesome

[Jeff Westover]

hey, money is no object when you don't have any...

[dvdguy]

I hear ya

[JanaBanana]

SparkleNana that sounds great! Last year I made homemade jams for the extended family and friends, this year I need the 55+ jar I canned this year for my own family.
I plan on Christmas shopping here very soon... I want to get started while I have it

[RadioJonD]

You look good in stripes, eh?Some say better even than in a blue and white gingham dress.

[BritneyBug]

I need to start keeping track of how much I spend. Probably way more than I should considering I'm a poor college student!
I end up picking up a lot of gifts on impulse and then spending more than i plan to on gifts for all my co-workers and extended family.

[Minta]

We spend around $1,500 on gifts, food and decorations. Gifts are for us, the kids, our parents and a few other family and friends. I also do gift baskets of homemade goodies (cakes and assorted cookies).

[Santa's Helper]

We usually end up spending around $2500. I don't add up the cost for food since I don't do the bulk of the cooking. I do bake though. I buy for everyone in the family. With divorced parents on both sides it adds a few extra people. I also buy for about 4-5 people I work with and I bake pumpkin rolls and cookies for some other co-workers and I also bake for the fire department members. I like to give gifts so it's nice to walk in with stuff for everyone whether I bought it or baked it. I usually give out Christmas cards and a candy cane to the other people that don't get anything else from me at work. It's fun.

[JanaBanana]

We only buy for our immediate family here at home. Otherwise it just gets to be too much buying for everyone And my kids only end up with gifts from us anyways, the grandparents never buy them anything so thats another reason we try to make it special for them every year...

[Santa's Helper]

If I had kids it'd be a little different but, since I don't and my brother doesn't and my husband is an only child, we buy for everyone.

[JanaBanana]

Oh yes thats true :D I have aplenty :D

[Annette1990]

I don't set a limit. I only have one child so I get her what she wants. I also buy for s/o, and as for all my nieces and nephews we draw names amongst the kids only. I also take 2 gift tags off the tree at my local bank for children in my community.

[Annette1990]

Gifts, food, decorations it all really adds up. I know when growing up with a household of 7 kids...you figure if you set a limint of 3, 4 or even 5 hundred a piece that really adds up. Especially this day and age when a pair of jeans run you any where from 50 and up...video games 20 and up before you know it you get like a few gifts and the money is gone. But all in all what always meant the most to me was having a nice dinner with my family. Being together as one. All 9 of us..(sometimes 10..we had my cousin living with us for a few years).

[shelle02]

Usually we do about $50 per kid (x2), if we can afford it. If we can't we try to get help from the Salvation Army. We don't get each other gifts. Then we try to have a ham w/pineapple, mashed potatos or stuffing, corn or green beans and biscuits. I make homemade cookies and maybe a pumpkin pie for hubby & the kids and that is it. So I would say a total of maybe $150 or so for Christmas day.

We use the same decorations every year. This year though I do have to figure out when and how to get a tree...had to throw my old one away after last Christmas.

[whychristmas]

For a few years my family just gave 'stupid things for £1' rule! As you said Jeff, you get really creative! The pressies might be as big and exciting, but it's really fun!

One year I managed to spend.... nothing!!!! I gave a calendar with a week left on it (well it was useful for a week) and some other equally useful things!

Other highlights (or should that be low lights?!) included an old LP (erm, but we don't have a record player...) and my dad gave me a pot to put my false teeth in!!!

[act_as_if]

My parents try to get us everything we want. But we know that it's tough with todays economy. I would say they spend about $200 to $215 per kid. There's only three of us. When it comes to buying for family, we draw names and buy for one person. But we all still buy for the kids. With the name drawing, its usually a limit of $30. For the kids its more like $15. But me, I usually spend more!

[MsChristmas]

Its hard to figure out how much we really spend. I start buying gifts real early. Sometimes I think thats a good idea because you dont have to spend it all at once but sometimes you forget what you have bought and end up with more lol. I only have 1 child at the moment and he is under 2 years old. He doesnt really know what is going on but its still so much fun buying him stuff and seeing his little face light up! Between my hubby and son, parents, brother etc I would say about $800. My hubby's side of the family is pretty big but we do a secret Santa and only buy for 1 person now..which makes it a lot easier!


:tree:

[irishgirl]

I am cheap! I am not frugal or thrifty or any of those "nice" words for it. I am cheap. That being said.. I go overboard on Christmas. I don't spend alot on one person but I buy alot of people stuff. I would say I spend between $400-$600. I usually buy for my whole family. I mean Aunts, Uncles, cousins etc.. you get the idea. This year I am NOT! I am making gifts for friends at work ( I am thinking peppermint bark). I have made a pack with my family. Only buying for the kids. Exceptions: Mom and sister (she doesn't have children). DH and I will not exchange as we just bought new flooring for the palor. DS gets 3 gifts from Santa (1 sorta big and 2 small). A gift from Mom, a gift from Dad and a gift from the dog and his stocking of course. I tend to really play up birthdays as they are about the person. I don't usually buy decorations. We have a fake tree and then we cut down a live tree. It is a Charlie Brown sad looking tree but only costs $12. We make it an outing now. Hot Chocolate and we walk around and around looking for the tree that needs our love the most.

We also do Angel Tree gifts (at least 2 kids) and we also do a box for Operation Christmas Child with Samiritans Purse.

It adds up...

[snowytree]

All together for a family of 5 it is usually around 400 to 500, most likely a little less this year.

[Antiquity]

We don't have a budget, but really we should! I've already bought my son's presents so I don't get tempted with every little advert, especially if that advert involves baubles or glitter or something!

This year I'm making food gifts for family so that will be cheaper anyway.

[VeryWelshXmasLover]

hmmm..dunno really what we spend. This year I expect it will be around the £700 mark which would be including all the gifts for all the family, my little one etc. I really don't know though. And I will have spread the cost over the next few months (started buying in September). I always tend to go over the top..
I'll be keeping tabs this year now just so I know lol!

[jollyhelperelf01]

I've never really added it up, my hubby always mentions setting a budget but this is the one time of year that I just can't. I've already bought a LOT of gifts though. I start right after Christmas and shop until the week before. The last gifts are normally just because I want to save something for shopping during the season but I normally have the big things bought before November.

[chrismom]

I don't have a limit. But I only have my young son so i start buying for him in January and anytime I see something neat I just get it and put it up. that way I don't have to dish out money all at once and he will have a lot. Other than him I only have one sibling to buy for and my parents. My husband and I do christmas for ourselves when we get tax money back. to us our son is the biggest part of Christmas.

[trackrebel]

we usually don´t spend more than 200Euros...maybe 300...my daughter usually gets something for about 50Euros, my godchildren between 15 and 25....I have two....my mother between 25 and 30...my brother and sister in law always get a joint present for around 25....my pops gets up to 20, my best friend around 15....I don´t know what my present from my man costs...his is usually around 50, too....last year tho it was less...cos of financial probs....

[Santa's Helper]

My mom and I are starting our Christmas baking this weekend so that we can give more stuff to people like we used to a few years ago. We used to bake cookies and pumpkin rolls a lot and kind of got away from it since we had no place to freeze them. But, since I got a freezer now we are going to start it all over again. I can't wait. I love to see the smiles on people's faces when you give them something for Christmas. It makes me feel so good. One year I gave some baked goods to the security guard here at work and he was so surprised and happy. I think he figured that people over look him but, I didn't. I know, I'm off topic, kind of. But, I just wanted to throw it out there that we are going to be baking because I'm so excited about it!!!!cheesy

[trackrebel]

My mom and I are starting our Christmas baking this weekend so that we can give more stuff to people like we used to a few years ago. We used to bake cookies and pumpkin rolls a lot and kind of got away from it since we had no place to freeze them. But, since I got a freezer now we are going to start it all over again. I can't wait. I love to see the smiles on people's faces when you give them something for Christmas. It makes me feel so good. One year I gave some baked goods to the security guard here at work and he was so surprised and happy. I think he figured that people over look him but, I didn't. I know, I'm off topic, kind of. But, I just wanted to throw it out there that we are going to be baking because I'm so excited about it!!!!cheesy


I would have loved to see the face of that security guy....I will do the cookies at the end of November....we are not really big cookie eaters...but I need them to give away for Nikolaus Day on the 6th of December and for the weekly celebration of the Advent every Sunday.

[JanaBanana]

One year I gave some baked goods to the security guard here at work and he was so surprised and happy. I think he figured that people over look him but, I didn't.

How sweet :)

[JOHNOR]

the gifts i will be buying for family and my partner this year come to roughly £430 ($740)

thank the lord i landed a lead role in a play otherwise i couldn't have afforded that! money is kind of tight for everyone at the minute with this recession/credit crunch so many people will be cutting right back.

there is only me and my partner who live together so christmas food is around £100 ($173) as we eat out alot at family and friend's over christmas, but we still like to keep the cupboards full for the week before and after christmas.

when i have kids, i won't be buying them many gifts, instead i will put some money away in a savings account for when they turn 18 (for a car, and towards their education) and they will receive a couple of gifts. i want kids who are grateful and realise that christmas isn't about presents.

[yolie8174]

Mine is about $1,000. I make diffrent cookies, and breads for friends and neighboors, buy gifts for my two sisters, one brother, mom, four nieces, my close cousin who is like my sister, and son who's birthday is on Christmas day so he gets money for his birthday and Christmas gifts for Christmas. In the begining of the year I buy a ceramic piggy bank and put a little something in it every pay day, so at the end of the year there's some extra christmas money.

[joyful]

Well, we started out with 3 kids and now the family has grown to 14, 8 kids and 6 adults.
Hubby and I keep a tight budget but we still manage to provide a nice Christmas. We are so use to budgeting. I try not to spend more than $30 on each grandchild and $50 on the two parents together. So I guess we average around $500 total when food and other necessities are added in.

[Santa's Helper]

I would have loved to see the face of that security guy....I will do the cookies at the end of November....we are not really big cookie eaters...but I need them to give away for Nikolaus Day on the 6th of December and for the weekly celebration of the Advent every Sunday.
He was smiling from ear to ear! Gives me chills just thinking about it. I like to give something to every one that I can. I figure that you never know who is having a bad time or that maybe they don't get much for Christmas from anyone and maybe my 1 little gift will brighten their day. I want everyone to feel special not just at Christmas but, especially at Christmas time. For a lot of people the holidays are depressing so I'm just doing my part to help lift them up a little. I always try to give something, no matter what! It puts a positive spin on what could have been, for them, a negative year. I'm so excited to start my baking that I've made a list of everything I want to bake!

[Mumof2]

Let's see,We buy for his parents,my mum,2 sisters & BIL,2 nieces,2 nephews,then our kids and each other.so maybe $1,500.00 I do make alot of cookies,soaps,candles,etc.
this year though Im making a Basket and filling it with items each person likes,(a themed basket) for 25 & under including the basket.this also includes food.

[CharlestonNole]

In the extended family, we used to draw names, but now we don't buy for adults and spend $20 for each child under 18. So that's $80 for gifts and then probably spend $200 total on food, decorations, etc. So not too bad.

[HouseElf]

Would be hard to nail down a number, as the food is not much more then we normally buy (built into the shopping list over the month)
Some numbers off the top of my head for this year:


Christmas Tree and fresh wreaths= $80.00
3 sons (3 gifts each and stockings) = $600.00
Husband = $300.00
6 nieces/nephews = $210
Charitable giving = I do not know a number... include every bell ringer I walk by, our Compassion children, 3 Operation Christmas Child boxes and a goat with World Vision...
We do not buy adult gifts, teachers receive a card saying how much we appreciate their efforts and that a donation has been made (a goat) with World Vision.

I am not a gift person, but my DH and boys like me to open something on Christmas morn, so it is usually a new pair of flannel pj's and chocolate. Maybe $40.cheesy

[Wenceslaus]

I don't know. I don't want to know. http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/scared/scared0001.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-indifferent-smileys.php)

[HolidayHoney]

I don't know. I don't want to know. http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/scared/scared0001.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-indifferent-smileys.php)

lol

[Sunshine73]

I budget for Christmas every year and usually spend somewhere around $1700 or so. Dh and I usually have a budget of $200 each to spend on one another. We'll spend around $100 - $150 on my step-daughter and we'll bargain shop for everyone else. :)

This year's budget is going to be a bit tighter since Dh now has to commute for his new job and the high cost of fuel has really stretched our budget.

[kelly ann]

So far this year I have spent £84 on my daughter, i will probably go up to £!20 with her for gifts as she will be having presents off family members.
I will only buy for immediate family, ie, mother, father, brothers, (because they are still young) Nieces, and thats it. I will try and take advantage of 3 for two offers.

[Christmas Snow Angel]

We normally spend about $300 on each of our daughters, $100 on my parents and $280 on my neices and nephews...Grand total....$980. This year that's not happening. This price does not include baking supplies, cards, or anything...just gifts.

It'll probably be more like $100 for each daughter, $50 on my parents and $90 for the neices and nephews. I'll do a lot of baking for others. Im not tooooo upset about not spending as much for the girls because I know that they're getting what they really want from our extended family.

[DeckTheHalls]

The Winona Ryder approach is looking pretty good these days.

???? you meant shop lifting? lol... mmm idk.. cuz i promised to Santa that I would be a good girl this year...lol

[Mutterauge]

We do things a bit different. I have a budge of 1 % of DH's annual gross income from last year. I pull it out of the tax refund. That's all I get to work with. I shop all year round. This year I am keeping better track of what I am spending and what it would be worth if I spent full price. As the kids get older (they are all under 8) I may need to pad the budget a bit as I am sure the 8 dollar school shirt will fall to the 40 dollar team jersey........

To keep things in check DH and I get the kids "Four Somethings", something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Santa only brings one gift and then they can get each other something for under $5. With four kids, that's already 32 boxes under the tree. It works pretty well now.

[kelly ann]

Ive spent well over £200 on my daughter but thats because shes an only child (at the moment) I expect it all to total £350/£400. I limit family to at least £10 per person and my two nieces about £20 each as they are the only youngsters. I dont need to buy xmas dinner as my mother does all that but I will buy some beef for her to cook as im not fussed on turkey! I do have a xmas eve party but I buy some frozen party food a bit at the time over the next couple of weeks with my regular shop, so it doesnt look like much in one go.

[Janey]

Well, I don't have many people to buy for, and being a teenager with no income I'm not expected too.

This year, between my friends, we decided to only buy for one person - at first we planned on a Secret Santa but it didn't go to plan, so we just paired up to buy our "best" friend something. I have spent £16 on her. We're also going out for a meal somewhere we've both wanted to go for ages after Christmas when we both have more money, which I expect to be around £10 - £15.

I am also taking part in a Secret Santa between some very close friends on the internet - I have spent £26 (even though the limit was £10 - £15!).

I'm spending £20 on my parents combined, so £10 on mum and £10 on dad, although that could change a little.

I'm going to spend a little on my brother and sister but not loads because they get loads from everyone else.

I'm also going to buy my pets some little presents :)

[kristie86]

Me and Dh spend around $2000-$3000 sometimes more thats on gifts alone .... but in saying that we have around 20 ppl to buy for and the family just keeps growing lol...

[Meceka]

I don't spend a lot of money since I hunt out deals all year round.

[Janey]

This year, between my friends, we decided to only buy for one person - at first we planned on a Secret Santa but it didn't go to plan, so we just paired up to buy our "best" friend something. I have spent £16 on her. We're also going out for a meal somewhere we've both wanted to go for ages after Christmas when we both have more money, which I expect to be around £10 - £15.

I am also taking part in a Secret Santa between some very close friends on the internet - I have spent £26 (even though the limit was £10 - £15!).

I'm spending £20 on my parents combined, so £10 on mum and £10 on dad, although that could change a little.

I'm going to spend a little on my brother and sister but not loads because they get loads from everyone else.

I'm also going to buy my pets some little presents :)

I've spent £11.41 on my mum which brings my total so far to £53.41 so far. I'm buying a book for my dad which is £9.50.

[Mumof2]

Our christmas party is going to be After Christmas again this year..Its cheaper and Its fun..Plus my Sister and I have been talking about what to do for christmas,Im not fond of going out on christmas day,so We have decided to meet after christmas,this way it saves us on alot of things.Gifts,decos..etc..