Do you go overboard for the holidays? What did you get YOUR kids?

Question

I was just wondering how crazy some folks get buying till they are tapped dry. I have done some reading on Yahoo Answers and see some folks spend upwards of $500 per child!

What did you get your kids this year?

I got my 12 year old: Digital camera accessories (to go with a 3 year old digital camera I upgraded from), Electronic hand held 20 questions and a The Fray CD.

I got my 8 year old: A barbie styling head, a birdhouse art kit, the 20 questions hand held game and Trouble (the board game).

I'm pretty proud that both will get what they want and I did NOT go broke. I spent only about $100 (not including the digital camera)

Answer 1

Well I'd say you're doing quite a good job. Parents who spend $500+ on their kids are stupid and are spoiling their children. I am around the age of your 12 year old and I have to say that I would be quite happy with those things. Last Christmas my parents got us an Xbox. But, instead of actually giving it to us, they gave it to my mother so that she could say "you've played too much xbox, and its mine so get off." and that way it is always under control and won't be overused or anything. Plus the price was dispersed throughout all of us, so it wasn't too expensive overall. I think you're doing a great job, keep up the good work!

Answer 2

Last year I went nuts. It was the first Christmas that my son really knew about presents and I started shopping in August. I didn't realize how much I had bought until it came time to wrap it all. What I did was give him about half of his presents (still too much). He also got lots of presents from the family. I saved some for his birthday in February, and gave him the rest in his Easter baskets (I filled 3). It didn't seem like too much because I picked it up here and there and when I saw things on sale. This year things are going to be different. My husband and I are making a list of 3 or 4 things to get him. He will get some matchbox cars and dinosaurs. Maybe some Play-dough for his stocking. We have also put the word out to family to get him only 1 thing each and to keep it small (we have way too many ride on toys and tables for our small house). We are also encouraging clothes as he is still in the stage where he likes to open presents regardless of what's inside. We'll see how it goes.

Answer 3

My daughter is getting an assortment of Bratz and accessories. And coloring books. One cannot forget coloring books.

My youngest is getting a Backyardigans DVD and some Thomas the Tank Engine toys.

My oldest is getting a video game that he wants and a BIG book that he has been wanting for about a year.

Plus all 3 are getting an assortment of books.

I may have spent about $300 altogether, but that includes my in-laws and the kids' cousins.

Answer 4

I think you did just fine! It's a matter of keeping two things in mind: 1. You don't have to keep up with the "Jones" and 2. Teaching children the beauty of giving and appreciating what they have. My two are young yet (10 1/2 & 6), but they have just as much fun shopping and keeping secrets and giving than they do opening their gifts. I shop throughout the year to take advantage of what the girls really need/want as opposed to a passing case of the "gimmees". My husband shops for the stocking stuffers. We mix practical with the fun. We don't go broke anymore either - which is an added Christmas gift to my husband and me! Enjoy the season!

Answer 5

Let's just say that when I read things on here, then think about what Santa brought us for Christmas...
We used to get individual gifts, plenty as far as I'm concerned, but also gifts for the family. Sometimes we'd get the popular video game system for that year! And then some...
That's why I'm having trouble with shopping for my daughter. I want her to have a nice Christmas, as far as gifts, cuz that's really the only time of year you get a bunch of new things. But, I don't want to go too overboard. It's a hard thing to decide on. It also sucks when you feel you did good with it, and then your kid gets more from their grandparents than they did from you!

BTW - the things you listed are what we would get for a birthday, plus maybe a bit more - my mom has tended to go a bit overboard over the years - but it's hard to cut back after that...

Answer 6

We've spent the following on my children so far -

8 year old-
3 Xbox games. (Around $50- we bought them 'used' from Gamestop)
2 Outfits.
That Star Station thing, Where they can watch themselves sing and dance to music on TV.

18 month old-
Scented Care bear.
Sing and Spin Pablo
The Singing/Dancing Spiderman
And the Laugh & Learn Piano..

I think for the most part we're done... Other than maybe a few small items here and there.

We spent a total of about $250 on the both of them..Which I don't think is TOO awful bad! Lol..

Answer 7

My 22 month old is going to get several educational toys and a a bunch of clothes! (I went shopping at kohls clearance racks spent just under 100 bucks on both of my kids some clothes, me some clothes and some stuff for the kitchen.. then i totalled up the original prices of everything.. it would of been 790 bucks.. so im a total bargin shopper)

My youngest was just born in Aug. so she is just going to get some clothes and a couple little toys so my oldest thinks "santa" got her the stuff..

Answer 8

a few years ago i bought over $1000 worth of gifts for a 3 yr old and a 11 month old and it went to waste.that's when i learned the hard way now i have 7,4,and 2 year old and i didn't exceed $500.each child got 3 educational toys and five outfits there is no way i will ever go broke for x-mas since they are older i am also telling them the reason why we celebrate x-mas(that's priceless)

Answer 9

We have three kids and shop for Xmas and Bdays all at once. We spend around $500 total for everything.

Answer 10

Just starting to buy for the kids, have 3 of them. This year we are trying to stay at a preset limit for them. Why, oh why do we always say just one more or he-she would love this one. LOL..