Do you budget for Christmas gifts?

Question

or do you just buy whatever inspires you as the perfect gift?

Answer 1

I don't have much money so I definetly budget, that way you don't go broke, or get into credit card debt. 60% of people who bought christmas presents in 2000 with a credit card still haven't payed it off yet. SO yea budgeting is a good way of knowing where you money went. And If any one calls you cheap for budgeting your christmas gifts then they aren't worth your time.

Answer 2

I don't really put a specific dollar amount on each person I buy for. I will pick things up during the year if I see awesome things on sale. I bought my husband a $900 watch for around $200 in July and that's his Christmas present. There was an awesome promo deal through one of my vendors so I couldn't refuse. That's a splurge for a Christmas gift, but he didn't really want anything for his birthday so I'm considering it a make-up present he can wear for the next 20 years. Our son isn't that hard to buy for either. He's the only grandson on either side so he gets absolutely spoiled by his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. There isn't much we need to get other than a few necessities and some Santa presents. I spend about $20 on my siblings (I only have 2) and we spend about $10-20 on my husbands siblings (4, spanning from ages 9-24, but they're not close like I am with my siblings). I sew, so I make a lot of my gifts. I stocked up on fabric in the summer when Christmas patterns were on clearance and most of last years stock was on blowout. I'm making aprons for my female friends and the cost works out to less than $10 in materials per apron. I'm including a wooden spoon for character and that's that. Other than that we have a pretty small circle to buy for. We don't do extended family or coworkers. Just each other, parents, siblings, our child, a few friends, and my grandma (who's happiest with some baking). The best thing you can do is start Christmas shopping in July. The bill doesn't hit so hard then.

Answer 3

Depends on the person I am buying for...if its for my man then I budget a large amount of money to buy him the perfect gift (the man has everything, and need or wants nothing) and for my kids I just try to buy them things that they want and make it even number of present and not even cost. As for everyone eles we do limit the $ amount we spend on other people.

Answer 4

Whats a budget. I just finished paying off last Christmas.

Answer 5

I try to do a little of both. Generally purchasing toy items for the children on my list and then splurging a little more on the adults so that I can find something close to the perfect gift.

Answer 6

We celebrate Christmas but we don't get into the commercialized media driven end of it. Don't buy too many gifts - if we do they are small token gifts. (hand made ornaments, cards..tokens) or we make donations to charity...so it's pretty easy..don't need to budget too much - we don't spend too much as far as gifts. We do choose a few charities to donate to.

Answer 7

I always try to buy the perfect gifts no matter what the cost

Answer 8

Last Christmas, everyone received a package of socks. How's that for a budget?

Answer 9

Every year I set out to have a budget,but it never works out that way.I always end up spending way over the budget I set for my self.

Answer 10

I wish I budgeted but I don't then I hate myself for it until i see how happy everyone is with their gifts.