whats a realistic amount to spend on christmas shopping for kids(ages 4 and 2)?

Question

i was thinking 500. but then im like wait, 250 for a two year old?? thats a bit steep. i was thinking about getting the 4 year old a video game system. but im thinking he may be too young for video games

i figured me and my fiancee could put our money together to buy the kids stuff. so this money is for toys and clothes. the good thing is kids clothes are so cheap.

Answer 1

I'm sure there is people reading your question that have no where near that amount of money to spend on gifts but will have a wonderful Christmas anyway. I point this out only to make the point that it's not about money. Whatever amount you spend is fine as long as you can afford it. I remember my mom making us gifts and baking goodies for us. Christmas was great every year. Two kids that age will make for a great Christmas no matter what. Merry Christmas to you.

Answer 2

Everyone else has pretty much said it, but I'll go ahead and add on. That young, around $100, if you can afford to. From experience ( I have ages 2, 3, 5, and 6) a few new toys is so exciting at that age. And the boxes and wrapping paper are the biggest amusement. I'm dealing with this right now, but have decided on 100 tops for each of the youngest, and $150 for each of the oldest. They get bigger, and so do the gifts. I try not to go overboard with toys because they get broke, lose interest. My kids love to draw and build and do crafts, so I'm going in the direction of stamping kits, jewelry making kits, big box of crayons, stencils, paper, etc. That is something they don't outgrow and it lets them use their imagination and create something they are proud of. Even big toys like kitchens don't need to be top of the line. Get a $30 one and it will provide the same enjoyment and last just as long. Doesn't make you any less a parent or a bad one. Doesn't mean you aren't giving them the best. Christmas is supposed to be about family and togetherness anyways. Not how much someone spent.

Answer 3

Way way too much. And a video system......why in the world would you want a 4 yr old to have a video system. Definately way too young....maybe 14 years old. Spoil them so much they never want for any toys???Why do all parents think toys and gifts need to be over the top at Christmas....

$100 is more than enough. They will get gifts from other family and friends...buy some educational toys and or clothes.

Put the other $400 into a bank account towards their college education.

Answer 4

Yeah 4 years old may be a little young for video games, I think you were just trying to get away with buying something for yourself. I think that you should consider your income which is really the only way you could find out how much to spend, but I think about $100 - $200 would be good, but make sure you start saving little by little for next Christmas and then the same thing afer that cause the gifts really start to count for them when they get to be about 8 years old.

Answer 5

Children at those ages would play with a cardboard box and have fun with it. You don't need to spend that much at this point in their lives. Let them tell you what they want "Santas wish list" and you will be surprised that what they want is cheaper than you would have guessed. I would say $150 a child would be good for now. When they get older and see and understand commercials you will need more money lol. My 9 and 7 year old are costing me a fortune approx $1000 each kid. But when they were younger it was easier and way less expensive. Good luck. They don't understand the concept of money yet so no matter what you get they will be excited.

Answer 6

I'd actually go a little less condsidering their ages. Put some of that away and wait until they are a bit older. They will enjoy so much more in a few years. Don't feel bad about spending more on the 4 year old. The 2 year old won't know. At age 4 they will enjoy it much more. Two year old toys end up going in a garage sale or goodwill the following year.

Answer 7

$550...but this was when I was younger (14) and a lot more liberal with my money. I got some juicy stuff (which I don't wear anymore), lots of purses and shoes, etc. I don't think I own that stuff anymore. Nowadays I'm a lot more conservative when it comes to shopping, partly because I'm in college and partly because of the economy. I shop at places like Forever21, Charlotte Russe, and Wetseal where I can get a lot of bang for my buck. I can't afford to blow $5000+ on clothes. My family's not poor-I've just been taught that there are more important things things in life than clothes and shoes :)

Answer 8

for the 4 yr old play school learning video colrs spelling alphabet etc make the video educational but fun I'd do the same for the 2 yr old cause chances are the two yr old will try to take over the 4 yr olds video game trust it'll happen and then they be constant crying play laugh grow? think play school puts that out education dont worrie the younger the are the more they they take in there like sponges I'd purchase the fun but yet educational ones as per video's you'll be glad you did !! ( speaking from experience )

Answer 9

he is way too young for a video game system unless you are talking about VSmile (a console made just for kids). However, if these are not your kids, then I would spend more than $50 a piece. If they are your kids, I wouldn't worry so much about how much I'm spending. I'd think more about how many gifts or what kind of gifts to get that they would really enjoy. You have to remember that at that age, they will most likely play with something for a few weeks and forget about it or outgrow it in a few months.

Answer 10

I wouldn't get ANY video games until they were old enough to feel they had to have them!! Kids spend to much time with those and miss everything outside and otherwise. I'd stick with educational and learning toys at that age. It wont be long and they wont want those things.......

What you spend is on your self preference and what you can afford. I think $300 for both at that age is wonderful as the other lady listed for range, if you don't have that, less of course. I wouldn't say it needed to be even at that age. Some would say ONE gift is sufficient. I can say what ever they get use to is what they tend to look forward to...........so watch your patterns if you don't want to keep up with them. You can buy quite a few gifts for under $100 for that age. Even with an outfit added.