What is a decent amount to spend on Christmas gifts?

Question

My husband and I are not seeing eye to eye on this. He always says I spend way to much on our kids. So this year he is wanting me only to spend $500 on each of our kids. One is 15 the other is 10. I really feel they will be disappointed and I could not take that not on Christmas. The $500 is to be on gifts from us and Santa. What is the average amount people spend? If they get one big thing I couldnt get them anything else.

Answer 1

$500.00 each is PLENTY to be spending on children for Christmas.  Do you have any idea how many children would be overjoyed to have that much money spent on them at Christmas because their parents simply can't afford it?  I don't know any other details about how much money you spend on your children, but if this is any indicator then you do spend too much on your kids.  You said you couldn't take it if your children were disappointed on Christmas Day -- are you trying to buy their love and appreciation?  Sure sounds like it...

To answer your question:  My wife and I spend about $300.00 on each child at Christmas.  They get a lot of other gifts from grandparents and aunts and uncles as well.  We're in a position now that we could spend more on them, but my wife and I both agree that spending more on them would only spoil them.

What are you teaching your children if you spend that kind of money on them?  Let me answer that for you:  You're teaching them that they're entitled to pretty much whatever they want.  That's not teaching them how life is in the real world.  As a parent, you want to prepare your children to live on their own, right?  So what are you doing to teach them about earning a living, working for money, and saving up for the things they want (not to mention saving for a rainy day)?  If you're already doing these things then good for you and keep it up for the sake of your children.  If you're not, don't be surprised if your children grow up and spend the rest of their lives coming back to you for money every time they want or need something.  In either case, your children are old enough now to start learning that (a) life is not fair, (b) no one gets everything they want, and (c) there are things in life that are more important than money and stuff.  Can't think of a more appropriate forum to learn these lessons than at Christmas time, when we're supposed to be celebrating the most priceless gift mankind ever received.

Answer 2

You must have money.  How about $100-$200 each.  What do they really want.  How about something to read, something to wear and soemthing to play with.  

Answer 3

Now that the kids are grown and gone out of my house I still try and spend $100.00 on each one, I have four, plus three son-in-laws. Now I also have eight grandchildren who I like to spend $50.00 a piece on. I start shopping in late August and already have two of the grandkids done. If you can afford to spend $500.00 on each child, you go for it, after all Christmas only comes once a year.

Answer 4

HI,

people are different and they spend different. Don't get frustrated about the exact amount of money, because parents always want more for their children. I can understand your point of view and your worry, just take deep breath and relax, your children will love you not because of the gift value, but because you are their mother.

And I want to give you different point of view, of a woman who spends less of $1for her relatives and they love her. The world is full of variety of people and you are one of this variety :)

Here is the story I loved to read: http://www.christmas-cafe.com/made-by-ha...

Answer 5

I had four children.  We spent less than two hundred dollars each on them.  Mine are adults now.  I get them small token gifts like candle sets or desk sets and give them fifty dollars each. I still buy clothes for my two youngest ones who are 18 and 21 too. They are young enough to still need financial support from Mom and Dad.

Last year I got each child a new robe, the year before was freshwater pearls for the girls and pocket watches for the guys. I buy for my Daughters-in-Law too.

I would not spend five hundred dollars per child or more.

Answer 6

haha def not 500 like 200 on each  

Answer 7

$500 is more than enough for each of your children.  You don't want them to be spoiled.  Christmas isn't about the gifts you receive.  You don't want them to be superficial.  I actually think $500 is too much.  Do your kids even know the true meaning of Christmas?

Answer 8

dang, you spoil your kids to much

100-200 is usullaly how much you should spend

Answer 9

My son would have a heart attack if I ever spent $500 on him ... $100 is more like it ... spoil your kids much?

Answer 10

$500 on EACH kid?! Wanna adopt me?? LOL I want to be your kid, for sure!!! :)

I was lucky if I got a couple hundred (at THE most! probably less...) when I was growing up, granted, it was 15-20 years ago when I was your kids' ages (I'm almost 33 now) but still...

I think "only $500" per kid is GREAT! And if your kids pitch a fit, then maybe this is a good time to teach them the lesson that not all kids get presents cuz their families are not as well off as yours is. Humility is something that often gets lost in the shuffle at Christmas.

For the record, I don't have kids, but I do have 2 goddaughters, and nieces and nephews. I spend no MORE than $20 per kid, only cuz I know that their parents and grandparents are already spoiling them rotten, lol :)

Answer 11

$500 is plenty...if you spend more than that it's ridiculous.  Sounds like you're trying to make up for something by buying them so much at Christmas.