How many gifts at Christmas 4 kids?

Question

How many gifts are appropriate for your kids at Christmas?? I have a 9 and 6 yr old and want Christmas to be exciting yet I don't want to go crazy. I have heard of three to represent the 3 gifts given to Jesus but I am curious what most families do.

Answer 1

Mona, I appreciate you're desire to keep the children focused on the real meaning of Christmas. Too may gifts reallt spoil the fun. We've always had stockings even for the older folks since its a time to have fun opening inexpensive presents that are just fun. Then we keep the big presents (like toys) down to three per child. That way they can really enjoy them. We get clothes too but that's not such an exciting gift for the younger ones.

Answer 2

By the answers I have read I guess my family was way off from the norm. I have an older sister and younger brother and growing up we always had many gifts at xmas each an equal amount. When we were grown and the grandchildren were in the picture we still all had equal number of gifts every year half way to the ceilings. With my kids I give them from myself 5 gifts each, and my husband gives 5 gives each. We don't have money issues as most American families do either growing up or as an adult which I think is why we can spend so elaborately.

Answer 3

I am with yoU!! I don't know what to do this year. I have a 9 year old, 7 year old, and 5 and a half year old. It's getting to the point where if I get them the same amount of gifts, it's not the same value. Spend the same amount of money, and the older ones will get less gifts. (Nintendo, etc) I've heard of the three gifts, too. (My aunt and uncle used to do that for their kids.) I've been considering that~~three gifts. Then some little things for their stockings. I think I've figured it out. Three gifts per each, a few "together" gifts (board games, etc) and stocking stuff.

Thanks for the question! It actually helped me decide what to do!!! Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Answer 4

We are a family of 6 and with the kids ages warring so widely, we spend the same amount on each of the kids instead of the same number of presents. It's easier this way and if the older kids ask why the younger got more then they did, I explain that we spent the same amount on everyone. I'd be broke if I bought age appropriate toys in the same numbers for all my kids, imagine the things a 15 yr old wants compaired to a 6 yr old.......... Good Luck!

Answer 5

Set a money limit that is the same for each child. Explain to them that if they want something that is more expensive that means they will get less gifts so one child may get more that the other. Too many gifts can be overwhelming especially for the younger ones and it teaches them that Christmas is just about gifts if you go overboard all the time. Or just give a set amount of gifts, like 4 and don't worry if the money is uneven.

Answer 6

The 9 year old's presents might be more expencive then the 6 year olds...so like 2 things for a 9 year old might equal like 5 for a 6 year old. I think you should spend like 50 or 60 each then buy some cheap things to make the 9 year olds present count equal the 6 year olds

Answer 7

In my family, the gifts are not about quantity. Each kid gets the same amount of money spent on their gifts. So, depending on how much money you want to spend for Christmas, set a limit and give the same amount of money towards gifts for each child.

Answer 8

I would recommend setting a spending limit. we spend 50$ on each child. Christmas can be fun for kids but i think 3 or four is enough. They hould also know that christmas is as much about receiving as it is giving. What we do is in dec. we go through our toys and donate to charity for the kids that dont get that many toys or no toys at all.

Answer 9

I've never given my kids Christmas gifts. But since my spouse gets to work on Christmas, which is a statutory holiday, he makes a fair chunk of extra cash, which, lo and behold, it always ends up spent of something fun and frivolous, like a day in Toronto.

So I guess my answer would be a trip. Material stuff breaks and wears out, but memories last a lifetime.

Answer 10

I am 14 right now and I am a catholic, I dunno if that affects christmas traditions or not. Honestly, my family has some money issues every once in a while, and money is almost always tight. But, my parents find ways to provide us with fair amounts every year. I have two older brothers. Our parents always say that the limit this year/next year/nextyear/next year/whatever will be $100 but they always go overboard. i think that for a six year old and a nine year old, you should set your limit to about 100 dollars. i dont know what your money situation is, so you can adjust that number accordingly. i just think that that is a good approximate limit for those age groups, and this is from experience. :) every once in a while when your kids are older they will want something more expensive. like an ipod, a cell phone, a game boy, a tv, etc. if it isnt rediculously expensive, you should try to get that and maybe just one or two other things unless you want to do more. also, once they find out that there is no santa clause (if they still believe in him now), if they ask for like a 500 dollar tv or something like that, you can make a deal with them and pay as much as you can, and have them pay the rest. my parents pulled that off with my oldest brother when i still believed in santa, and i thought that was pretty cool.