Xmas and Birthday Spending

As Christmas edges towards us I have started to wonder what other families spend on each child for Christmas...
How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers
How much for a gift from parents?
What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday?? Does the cost go up as their age goes up?
Do you make any gifts for your children?
Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

PLease no judgements on this thread I am curious to know how other families operate, like the grocery threads on BB!


Thanks in advance!!!

I just have the one child. We spend around $750-$1000 for Christmas and about $200-500 for birthdays.

She is too old for toys now but we did buy her items in between.

I tend to buy quality over quantity and I also buy clothes and practical items.

Hey lovely.

Christmas is my easiest to explain. The kids get one present from Santa, one present form their siblings and 2-3 from mum and dad. As for how much we spend. They really depends. The last three years the girls have recieved a big combined gift so the other gifts have been small. I am not very crafty of creative but I do try and go to local markets and buy atleast one handmade gift. Taking away the combined gift I would say we spend about $60-80 each for the girls. J for his first Christmas I spent $40. I can imagine as they get older the things they want will be more expensive though.

Birthdays I never really set a budget. I just try and remember things they have said they wanted and pick 4-5 things. never more then $150-200. They get money from a lot of our older relations which they use for buying a few things themselves, pay for their ballet lessons and put some in their accounts. We don't have a party every year but we still make an occasion for them. A picnic, a day out at their choice, family over for a cake, dinner at their fav place.

I cam imagine that all this may change as on May next year :)

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers

Don't do stockings. I spend about $500 each child.

How much for a gift from parents?

All our presents are from 'santa'


What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday??

Around $200.

Does the cost go up as their age goes up?

Yes


Do you make any gifts for your children?

No

Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

They're too old for toys now, but yes, I do purchase things for them outside of birthdays and Christmas.

I don't have a budget as such. I spend what we can afford each year. I try to make sure it's similar for each child, but as they get older their interests are different.
We only do Santa presents. I know some people think its mean/lying/wrong/ whatever but I love the magic that goes with it and so do they. I don't care if I don't get any credit for great gifts. One day they'll be big and they'll know it was me/us.
Birthdays are the same budget wise.
Sometimes I do buy them gifts in between. Because I can. :dunno:
I don't make any no. DH is making a dollhouse for the girls though this year.

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How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers

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Typically I've done about $200 for the "Big Christmas Present" (for example, a trampoline last year), and $100 on the smaller ones. I pick up cheap little things here and there closer to Christmas too, so that probably makes up another $50 or so.

I have things on laybuy throughout the year and pay them off slowly. I've actually had Elisabeth's birthday present on laybuy since she was two weeks old, and I'm only paying $5 a fortnight until mid-November. We don't do stockings, though I'd like to, because we don't have anywhere to hang them.

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How much for a gift from parents?

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I don't think we've done a Christmas gift from us, if we have it's been one of the smaller ones originally pegged as a Santa gift.

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What about birthdays what do you spend per child for birthday?? Does the cost go up as their age goes up?

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Amelia's first two birthdays I spent about $200 on her presents :redface: This year I technically didn't spend anything because I used a gift certificate to buy her $50 present.

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Do you make any gifts for your children?

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I made dresses for Amelia's first two Christmases, but didn't really see them as Christmas presents, if that makes sense. I was too heavily pregnant to do it last year, but I'll probably make a few for both girls this year :)

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Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

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Yes, most of their toys are bought throughout the year. I tend to leave the bigger items for Christmas, and impulse buy a few small toys every couple of months. They get a lot from grandparents too - we're overflowing with toys, if we're being honest :o

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers
We dont do Santa gift or stockings


How much for a gift from parents?
All our presents are from us. They get one big present to share, usually around the $500+ mark. Individually we spend around $200-$300


What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday?? Does the cost go up as their age goes up?
Roughly $50-$100 regardless of age. The younger they are, the more they get, or so it seems. DD2 birthday is soon and she has about 10 presents in total


Do you make any gifts for your children?
Nope!!


Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?
Not usually as both events are already with in 1-4 months of each other

THanks for the replies so far....

I was going to pop mine in after the post but got pulled away..

We spend about $150- $200 on the older girls (12/10) and up to but mostly under $100 on the younger children both under 5. It is actually increasingly difficult for me to even buy the little ones anything as we have all the toys we need, so sometimes I sell or pass some on and update some play things.
Each year I make a gift from us, this year I have bitten off more then I can chew with patchwork quilts for the two older girls and probably two dolly sized ones for the little ones.
For birthdays I purchase what I feel they need and something that will serve them for the year ahead. This year happened to be an ipod for our eldest but doesn't mean I will spend like that on her each birthday from now on... Next year she wants a uke, much cheaper then the ipod!!! Birthdays I also try to make them something small, they actually love this part the best, which is sweet, but at times I am tired!! hahaha especially when the birthday months are Feb,April,May, June!! One year I did vouchers for them to cash in anytime.. like choosing dinner, going out for ice cream... movies etc.. that as fun!
We get cash off grandparents so often I use that for gifts or clothing, eldest girls get to keep it and spend how they wish.
We do not purchase toys or gadgets through the year, clothing is all year round... but when they have a wish for something I just write it down so I can remember later!

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.

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.

It depends. DS gets a full stocking and something from us at Christmas, and birthdays are a bit smaller.

No set yearly budget, as it has depended on if I'm in work and how much I earn and other bills. So this year, I'm part time and we've been forced to replace our car, smaller than last year, when I was full time and there were no diy expenses.

However, it will be a new computer game from us, then books, pyjamas and simple toys in stocking. DH and I are not exchanging gifts, due to the car.

Birthday is looking to be a day trip to France (we live near France), maybe a new bike too as he's outgrown his old one. But the day trip is for educational reasons, as DS is studying French at school, and so I get out of doing a party!

He does get small stuff throughout the year too, as and when needed and because he's a fab person who equates gifts with love, and I want him to know he's loved.

we don't have set limits as such, but we spend more for their birthdays than Christmas. We look at it as that's *their* special day whereas Christmas is usually something *most* ppl celebrate plus they get copious amounts of gifts from friends and family at Christmas.

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers

I do a stocking with a few bits of lollies and a few cheapo novelty toys. Probably about $20. Last year they got $2 'fart putty' and it was the biggest hit of the day!

How much for a gift from parents?

We spend around $200 per child for christmas. Presents are a mix - most from Santa but coolest from parents :) This year they are getting a shared trampoline - can't find one without a net for under $500 so they will only get a little gift each from us.

What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday??

Around $150-200

Does the cost go up as their age goes up?

Sort of. Depends what they are interested in. Middle child happened to want the more expensive thing last round of birthdays.

Do you make any gifts for your children?

No. But I should. Now that they are bigger and I am getting some free time I should do that.

Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

If we are travelling out of town they often get a treat toy (under $20) to make nights in a small motel room more manageable. That would happen maybe a few times a year. Otherwise they have to buy things with their own money that they get from my mum at birthdays and christmas, or they have to do jobs to earn it.

This year I will probably spend $500-$750 on Xmas.
I used to be a bit tighter than that (mostly because I had a fairly modest childhood gift wise)
But DS loves lego and I plan on getting him some good stuff this year.
Birthdays $100-$150 although I will also likely extend that as he gets older.
I do other gifts during the year, but not really much more than $20-$30 and it's normally a reward for something.
Santa gives pretty much all of the gifts here, there is so much excitement Xmas morning, I can't be bothered trying to make him understand the difference. It all goes into a pillowcase under the tree, individually wrapped and I don't bother with cards.
I love Xmas. Lol

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers
We give the best present from Mum and Dad, one from the sibling and the rest from Santa - all up maybe $2-300 per child each year.

How much for a gift from parents?
See above. This year we bought this big inflatable water park/slide things from Target. It was $400. We have too many toys and the kids are always outside and love water so it seems perfect. They are getting about 4-5 small presents to open too (eg books, small toy, clothes)

What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday?? Does the cost go up as their age goes up?
Probably a few hundred, its been pretty consistent, it depends what they are into. We went a bit overboard for the first birthdays and have calmed down since. Mostly because we have too much stuff


Do you make any gifts for your children?
Have done! But not often


Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?
Yes, probably most months they would get something ranging from a colouring book to an actual toy or DVD

Hard to say, because I often buy a few things when I see them on special, then drag them out at Christmas/birthday.

Usually we have stockings which are just a few lollies & small things (eg, lego minifig, small puzzle, lip gloss, key ring) which the kids get as soon as they wake up. There's always a "big" present from Father Christmas, which is either large or valuable, anywhere from $80 - $200, depending on the year, their age, etc. So one year for DD1 it was a trampoline, another time a stereo, another time a soda stream machine (she's a bit older now). Then there are multiple smaller presents from us. This usually includes something arty/crafty (good quality supplies), books, a DVD or CDs, but is not heavily toy-centred. Some years I have included things the kids need like new PJs, hats, bathers, beach towels, etc, which bulks out the presents but doesn't cost any more than I would usually be spending anyway. And I always include one or two games or things that are family activities.

For birthdays, we'd usually spend $100-$200 per child but again that varies.

In the past I've made a few things, eg quilts, and I've also spruced up a few op shop items, eg repainting a doll cradle.

We don't usually buy many toys between times, sometimes they might get a little something from the op shop or I'll break out some new DVDs when the weather is bad. But I do have a reward system for good behaviour with things in it. The kids earn buttons for good behaviour & can trade them for items in the button basket, usually $25 or under (mostly around $10).

Overall, I try to limit the total toy volume, all year round. There are some core items the kids play with over & over (eg, lego, tea set, dress ups, etc) but a lot of toys are just brightly coloured crap. So i try to factor this into my spending decisions for Christmas & birthday so what the kids do get are items of value.

I don't really have a set budget probably around $100 for each child both at Christmas and birthdays I try to spend the same amount on both children birthdays this year was about $80 each and Christmas is up to about $100 each they need new bikes so maybe that aswell also I try to shy away from toys try to give them books and clothes but usually my mum covers that anyway coz she's very practical

Did stockings last year don't know if I'll do them again this year we don't really do Santa either

Things will probably cost more as they get older so the budget might go up

I do buy them small things between though they get $5 at Kmart every couple of months for good behaviour and Jamie likes to collect matchbox cars

And I don't make things not very good at making things lol

We don't really have a set amount that we spend per child for xmas and birthdays, it's more what we can afford that year. Like a previous poster said we have been guilty of going overboard in the early years! We certainly think more about it these days :lol: Having said that, I start shopping around mid year and put things away when I see them on special or spot something that one of mine would just love. My eldest has a birthday in August and my youngest is in December. So once I start shopping for the eldest's birthday I don't really stop :lol: until xmas time. I'm actually almost finished so pretty happy with that!

We pay more attention to their gifts looking even, if that makes sense? Rather than spending the same. Once they are older I think the dollars may become a bigger factor. They are only 5 and 2 so this works for us.

Our two don't really get any other presents from anyone else so I don't worry about going overboard because I know this is all they are going to receive at xmas time. I have never made them a gift because I'm not particularly handy or creative!

My two have been too young in previous years for us to worry about which gift came from the big guy...we don't do a stocking but do have a large sack that is usually from santa. I think this year we will be saying that he brought most of it with one from us and one from each sibling to the other.

Occasionally they will get something through the year, usually for good behaviour or bad weather like a heatwave means we are going to be stuck indoors for days!

Interesting thread! I have really enjoyed reading the replies and thinking about what we do.

How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers

Santa gives them one thing - that they asked for in a letter to Santa, and he gives them a book. Spend about $40

How much for a gift from parents?

About $50/$100 depending on what we see that is suitable.

What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday??

About $100.

Does the cost go up as their age goes up?

Yes - when they we little they got hardly anything!


Do you make any gifts for your children?

No

Do you purchase any toys or gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

We buy our children their bikes, scooters, trampolines etc during the year. I don't like buying a new bike for example for Christmas because I don't want my kids expecting a 'big' present for Christmas or birthday. I don't want them expecting that we'll 'top' last years present. And I don't want them to look at each other's 'big' present and compare it to theirs and have any issues. So we keep Christmas and birthday kinda small.

Oh and they get 15/20 to spend on each other. Which we do for birthday and Christmas. It's always a hoot that day.

I've only got the one child, under 5. This year, I have spent about $100 on his birthday present and another $200-250 on the party. For Xmas, I will spend around $300 on him. He loves lego atm so will get one huge lego set and one or two little ones. I follow the Something I want, something I need, something to wear and something to read thing.

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I follow the Something I want, something I need, something to wear and something to read thing.

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Im 3 kids and 2 step kids into this parenting gig, how have I never heard of this?! Love it!!

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How much do you spend for Santa gift and stocking stuffers

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I don't really have a limit on this, but make sure each child has the same amount of presents in their sacks.

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How much for a gift from parents?

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We do a joint present. This year it is a gaming PC as their old one bit the dust a couple of months ago, so we spent slightly more than we normally would. They don't get separate presents from us, but will get presents from each other usually around the $30 or $40 mark.

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What about birthday's what do you spend per child for birthday??

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Approximately $100 Per child

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Does the cost go up as their age goes up?

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no

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Do you make any gifts for your children?

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No. Definitely no crafty bone in this body.

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Do you purchase any toys of gifts between birthday and Xmas for you child?

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Yes. With two of my children they have Christmas and birthdays within 2 months from each other. So if there is something that any of the three want i will generally go out and get it within reason.

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I follow the Something I want, something I need, something to wear and something to read thing.

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I've followed this for a few years now, makes it easier to buy xmas and birthday presents in advance :)

I usually spend about $20 for the read/need/wear and a bit more for the want.

We don't do xmas stockings really, I have a little bag for each child with their initial on it and fill it with pencils and notebook, a new toothbrush, small chocolate - those kinds of things.

because I shop during the year I don't really have a set budget, especially for the want bit. This xmas the big 4 are getting ipods that were on special. I don't usually spend that much (ever!!!!!) but we got a good tax return so thought I would give them a great present because the last few years have been a bit scabby for them present wise lol

Oh yeah! Toothbrush in the stocking - we do this too! :) I've also put in things like little packets of tissues or bandaids, novelty soap, etc. One time I only put in "old fashioned" things, which meant one stick of candy-cane, a handful of walnuts, and an orange. PMSL.