Xmas and Birthday Spending

[Bloom]

Really interesting!

Our kids get a few presents at Christmas (from us, we don't have Santa), each child's total is probably about $30-50. I normally buy books/undies on clearance through the year and add one specially chosen toy/game.

I don't buy them toys throughout the year. They are only given as gifts for birthdays/Christmas.

For birthdays, again we spend about $30-50 (though this could be a bit more depending on what we want to give them) and this is one actual present plus a few cheapies.

I haven't made any presents for my kids (though I made PJs and a skirt for my god daughter). I might make the boys shorts (with digger fabric!) as a present. I am making DD a Christmas dress, but that isn't a present as such.

[wysiwyg]

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers
We have stuff from Santa that is in the stocking - I have no set formula and often stuff that is sent by grandparents forms part of Santa gift. I pick up stuff throughout the year from op shops sometimes it all depends on what I see - maybe around $15 - 20 but really have no idea as it isn't planned at all, but is all things they would want anyway - nothing is just a filler.

How much for a gift from parents?
Some Christmas' they haven't had a gift from us - they get enough from relatives we have here. Others they might have wanted/needed a bike so have got them one. I have no set amount of money it all depends.


What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday??
Again no set pattern, and sometimes nothing (although the sibling always gets the birthday child something which at the moment means using our money - and will depend on what they want to buy but would be around $20 probably). DS got nothing this year from us, but DD got a camera (which I use 80% of time so I suppose you could call it a joint present for both of us) and tickets to see Hi-5.


Does the cost go up as their age goes up?
I expect it might trend upwards generally due to things they want being more expensive.

Do you make any gifts for your children?
Yes sometimes I make them stuff


Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?
Yes - as you can see from above we are not really that into present giving at birthday and christmas so I buy things on a wants/needs basis, I don't wait for birthday or Christmas. I don't buy much though - things that have bought this year would be - loom bands, craft stuff, dress up costumes, the odd book and DVD (second hand). If they want stuff (which is actually reasonably rare) then if I think is a good thing to have (often things they want are stuff like goggles, kick boards etc) we will come to some agreement about getting it, if is something I am not so keen on then I say "you will have to wait till Christmas/birthday" and often they have forgotten or changed their mind.