M
Me
Guest
How much money will you spend on Christmas gifts this year?
-
Welcome teachers! Log in or Register Now for a free ProTeacher account!
Dawn
Senior Member
Christmas budget
We set the budget at $2000. It breaks down this way: $250 for each kid (we have 4 between 12 and 22), $200 (or less...) on each other, and the rest, about $500-600, for all of our family members, friends, and coworkers. My husband has a large family so they draw names and we luckily only have to buy for 2 of them. I also draw a name at work.
Up until about 2 years ago, I didn't track how much we spent and we kind of went a little crazy and always felt somewhat let down after the rush--and then when the bills came in, it took a few months to pay off and I hated that! Now, I go to the bank and take out $2000 cash, and we find that it's very easy to stay within that budget, and we have no bills coming in January. Our Christmas is now much less stressful and the gift-giving seems to be less of a chore and more of a pleasure.
We set the budget at $2000. It breaks down this way: $250 for each kid (we have 4 between 12 and 22), $200 (or less...) on each other, and the rest, about $500-600, for all of our family members, friends, and coworkers. My husband has a large family so they draw names and we luckily only have to buy for 2 of them. I also draw a name at work.
Up until about 2 years ago, I didn't track how much we spent and we kind of went a little crazy and always felt somewhat let down after the rush--and then when the bills came in, it took a few months to pay off and I hated that! Now, I go to the bank and take out $2000 cash, and we find that it's very easy to stay within that budget, and we have no bills coming in January. Our Christmas is now much less stressful and the gift-giving seems to be less of a chore and more of a pleasure.
REB
Senior Member
Well....that depends...lol
I have been known to get crazy on years I have more to spend, but this year, I will probably be able to keep better track, since I'm only using money I make through my new part-time job for Christmas gifts. My mom and dad, and the other grandparents always buy my little girl so much stuff, (one set buys her toys, the other buys her clothes), so usually I don't have to buy that many things, like 3 or 4 toys around the $20 range, or less, that she really wants, and that's it. And, of course, my husband and I set a $100 limit every year since we've been married, on each other. And, we also have two names that we have to buy presents for in his family, and we spend around $50 apiece on them, and then, my family, I buy a present for my mom, dad, brother, and grandma, and usually spend 20-50 on each of them, depending on what's left on their list that hasn't been bought. Last year, I went a little overboard, and spent a lot more than that, more like because I had more to spend, but this year, I'm keeping it simple, like I did in the years before last year, so I don't wind up with no money in January...lol. So, last year, I probably spent closer to 900-1,000 on presents, but in all the years before that I probably only spent about 550-600.
take care everyone...tis the season to spend, spend, spend...lol
P.S. If you live in Louisiana, be looking out for the tax-free shopping holiday...I heard it passed the legislature, and is going to the governor to sign...it will be 3 days, not just one, if it passes as is, and will be good on purchases up to 2,500, (purchases that don't require a title or license, that is), and if you put something on layaway, right now, and pay it off during that tax free holiday weekend, you would still get the break on taxes. It's set for Dec.16-18. That's when I plan to do my shopping, and I'm heading into Louisiana to do it.
REB
I have been known to get crazy on years I have more to spend, but this year, I will probably be able to keep better track, since I'm only using money I make through my new part-time job for Christmas gifts. My mom and dad, and the other grandparents always buy my little girl so much stuff, (one set buys her toys, the other buys her clothes), so usually I don't have to buy that many things, like 3 or 4 toys around the $20 range, or less, that she really wants, and that's it. And, of course, my husband and I set a $100 limit every year since we've been married, on each other. And, we also have two names that we have to buy presents for in his family, and we spend around $50 apiece on them, and then, my family, I buy a present for my mom, dad, brother, and grandma, and usually spend 20-50 on each of them, depending on what's left on their list that hasn't been bought. Last year, I went a little overboard, and spent a lot more than that, more like because I had more to spend, but this year, I'm keeping it simple, like I did in the years before last year, so I don't wind up with no money in January...lol. So, last year, I probably spent closer to 900-1,000 on presents, but in all the years before that I probably only spent about 550-600.
take care everyone...tis the season to spend, spend, spend...lol
P.S. If you live in Louisiana, be looking out for the tax-free shopping holiday...I heard it passed the legislature, and is going to the governor to sign...it will be 3 days, not just one, if it passes as is, and will be good on purchases up to 2,500, (purchases that don't require a title or license, that is), and if you put something on layaway, right now, and pay it off during that tax free holiday weekend, you would still get the break on taxes. It's set for Dec.16-18. That's when I plan to do my shopping, and I'm heading into Louisiana to do it.
REB
C
chitownteach
Guest
I finished my shopping today and all together I spent around $500. I buy for my boyfriend, 2 sets of parents, sister, niece, nephew and a few friends. I try to keep it reasonable! I also adopted a child from a giving tree so that was about $30.
speeder1
Senior Member
Our limit is $500. this year. We have 5 grandkids (that don't need anything). We are at a loss as to what to get them, the youngest turned one on Tuesday and 2 more have birthdays in January, not to mention they have 3 sets of grandparents and 2 sets of great grandparents. We decided for each other we are going to buy things to decorate the house for Christmas, since this is our first year in our new home. I have had so much fun stringing up the lights inside and out, decorating the tree, and everything else.
I refuse to use plastic since the payments will be going up in Jan.
I refuse to use plastic since the payments will be going up in Jan.
REB
Senior Member
Oh, I forgot to tell y'all something on this.
Last year, my mom, dad, and brother (he's 31 still lives at home, but does work...that's another story for another day
) Anyways...I forgot to tell y'all about how they did their shopping last year for Christmas. They started collecting pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters in a Hubba Bubba Bubblegum pail that my mom had for a few years, and used to collect yarn. Anyway, they started on Christmas Day 2003, and continued collecting, until they had that pail, and were working on a glass pickle jar, filling it up with change. November of last year, they decided to roll it on Thanksgiving, and that Saturday, they went to the bank to cash in their rolls of change. (They had over $450 dollars of money...it was 456.58 to be exact.) That is the money they used to buy their Christmas gifts for each other, and for me, my husband and my little girl, as well as my grandmother.) They didn't have a lot of money to spend around Christmas time, as my dad's job ends when it gets cold outside, (he's unemployed every year from November-usually around February, or March), he works on lawnmowers at a lawn and garden shop.)
So, this was a mixed blessing...also I think this would be a good idea for a family, who struggles with credit card debt as well...or for a family, who has little ones, to teach them the value of saving money...I think I'll do this for next Christmas...it would probably help out a lot.
REB
Last year, my mom, dad, and brother (he's 31 still lives at home, but does work...that's another story for another day
) Anyways...I forgot to tell y'all about how they did their shopping last year for Christmas. They started collecting pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters in a Hubba Bubba Bubblegum pail that my mom had for a few years, and used to collect yarn. Anyway, they started on Christmas Day 2003, and continued collecting, until they had that pail, and were working on a glass pickle jar, filling it up with change. November of last year, they decided to roll it on Thanksgiving, and that Saturday, they went to the bank to cash in their rolls of change. (They had over $450 dollars of money...it was 456.58 to be exact.) That is the money they used to buy their Christmas gifts for each other, and for me, my husband and my little girl, as well as my grandmother.) They didn't have a lot of money to spend around Christmas time, as my dad's job ends when it gets cold outside, (he's unemployed every year from November-usually around February, or March), he works on lawnmowers at a lawn and garden shop.)So, this was a mixed blessing...also I think this would be a good idea for a family, who struggles with credit card debt as well...or for a family, who has little ones, to teach them the value of saving money...I think I'll do this for next Christmas...it would probably help out a lot.
REB
Laura
Senior Member
Christmas $
I love to shop and probably have spent too much in the past. This year I did a research study and am teaching an extra curricular class. I cashed all these checks and am buying most of the Christmas gifts with it. This way I won't be paying for it in Jan. I try to get in as many studies as I can from Oct-Dec and use the money for gifts.
I love to shop and probably have spent too much in the past. This year I did a research study and am teaching an extra curricular class. I cashed all these checks and am buying most of the Christmas gifts with it. This way I won't be paying for it in Jan. I try to get in as many studies as I can from Oct-Dec and use the money for gifts.
M
M.
Guest
Re
We do a $1000 Christmas Club, which works wonderfully! We do spend more than the $1000 sometimes, but it's usually never over $1500.
We do a $1000 Christmas Club, which works wonderfully! We do spend more than the $1000 sometimes, but it's usually never over $1500.
the real meaning
I am cutting back this year. I always have gone overboard. I don't need the extra interest on my credit card. I would prefer to pick names for the adults in my family but my mother says no! Each person should get a nice gift for and from everyone. Oh well, this year I'm cutting back to $50.00 for each person and a little more for my 11 year old neice. If my mom doesn't like it, she can return it, I'll include a gift receipt.
I am cutting back this year. I always have gone overboard. I don't need the extra interest on my credit card. I would prefer to pick names for the adults in my family but my mother says no! Each person should get a nice gift for and from everyone. Oh well, this year I'm cutting back to $50.00 for each person and a little more for my 11 year old neice. If my mom doesn't like it, she can return it, I'll include a gift receipt.
Yikes - cutting back to $50! I guess I'm lucky - in my family the adults do gifts around $30 max per person. My husband and I spend about 200 -250 each on the kids (spent WAAAY less when they were younger, but it's hard with preteens/teens) and about another $250 on adults and each other combined. So we're in for about $700. We have travel expenses on top of that. I don't know how people afford more! There's no way I would go into debt for Christmas, if I was in that position I'd cut way back.
SC
Senior Member
Spending more
My husband and I both finally have real jobs after he finished graduate school, so we'll be spending more. That doesn't mean overboard, though; we just weren't able to do much in the past.
We spend about $250 on each other and about $300 on family and friends. My family does a gift exchange with a $30 limit, so that helps. I guess in total we'll spend about $800 on Christmas, plus travel expenses (driving, not flying).
My husband and I both finally have real jobs after he finished graduate school, so we'll be spending more. That doesn't mean overboard, though; we just weren't able to do much in the past.
We spend about $250 on each other and about $300 on family and friends. My family does a gift exchange with a $30 limit, so that helps. I guess in total we'll spend about $800 on Christmas, plus travel expenses (driving, not flying).