I'm curious ~ some of you spend very little per child ( which is fine I'm not bashing ) but I'm trying to figure out what do you buy to keep you budget so small.
I put a $25 limit on all family members. My own child we'll spend about $150 on. She's only 3, and the toys she is into aren't exactly costly.
Kairi is 3!
like a pp said the things my kids are into are very inexpensive things. and they dont need anymore toys.. just little somethings to have to open because its more fun for them to actually open the presents then have them. LOL our finances are very limited and we probably wont be buying anything for anyone else . we're SUPER broke this christmas.
I saw some people spent $50 - $100 per child...and to me that isn't very much when a video game can cost $50 a piece. I just bought my daughter a doll and a doll crib last night and together it was already $40...add in stocking stuffers etc. and you are already over your budget. Some of you must be amazing shoppers and I want you to teach me how!
1.I don't have the money.
2.It's not about the presents,it's about spending time with loved ones.
3.It's nobody's business how much I spend on my chilod.

Ok, I was wondering because everyone's perspective on what is not much to spend really differs.
This year, I am starting with an initial budget of $100 for each child. My kids told me the priority items that they wanted. So, I will use the $100 to get them their top 1 or 2 items that are their most wanted items. Then between now and Christmas, when I have extra money here and there, I will pick up smaller items or stocking stuffers. But, I won't spend a ton more.
Quoting gobimom:
I saw some people spent $50 - $100 per child...and to me that isn't very much when a video game can cost $50 a piece. I just bought my daughter a doll and a doll crib last night and together it was already $40...add in stocking stuffers etc. and you are already over your budget. Some of you must be amazing shoppers and I want you to teach me how!
Last year I spent less than 100 for my ds who is 6. (he had 4 presents and a stocking) dd was only 2 mo......I do not think kids need 10 presents under the tree.........to me that is nuts. BTW my sons fave gift he EVER got (when he was 3 and we were broke) was a 1 dollar teddy bear from the dollar tree. I put it in a shoe box and wrapped it, and put a note in it "from santa" saying He made the bear just for him. My son still to this day 3 years, and a RAGGID teddy is still his "security blanket" sleeps with him EVERY night......lol.

My niece and nephew I only spend around 30 on each. My SIL spends the same for my kids. My nephew I got him this matchbox pirate ship thing. I think that was about 17 and a transformer which was 10. Then I might get him something else. My niece so far I got a sign for her room that was 20 and 2 cool headbands for 8. Im also going to get her either a purse and fill it with things or find a cheaper game for her DS. So ill end up spending alittle more then what I was planning on.
Quoting myfoursonsks:
Ok, I was wondering because everyone's perspective on what is not much to spend really differs.
This year, I am starting with an initial budget of $100 for each child. My kids told me the priority items that they wanted. So, I will use the $100 to get them their top 1 or 2 items that are their most wanted items. Then between now and Christmas, when I have extra money here and there, I will pick up smaller items or stocking stuffers. But, I won't spend a ton more.
Quoting gobimom:
I saw some people spent $50 - $100 per child...and to me that isn't very much when a video game can cost $50 a piece. I just bought my daughter a doll and a doll crib last night and together it was already $40...add in stocking stuffers etc. and you are already over your budget. Some of you must be amazing shoppers and I want you to teach me how!
Do you mind me asking what things your kids asked for?
Our budget is $125 per kid. My kids have way to many toys they really dont need anymore. I plan on buying a few toys and the rest clothes or some kind of learning books for them. I look at it this way...why spend all that money on expensive toys when they are either gonna get broke... lost or end up growing out of it in a couple years. That or our neighbors kids take off with them...yes they do it all the time.

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- gobimom
on Nov. 8, 2009 at 2:16 PM