Christmas shopping/gift giving question About This Page:

[disneyprincess]

Do you try to spend the same amount on each of your children on christmas gifts? How much do you usually allocate per child?

For me I have four kids, 14, 11, 7 and 5. I generally try to spend roughly $100-$200 on each kid. I also try to do no more than 5 gifts each. With the two oldest ones that is hard since the items that they want are more expensive now.

I have each child give me a list of things that they would like and then go from there. Do you have lists? Do you stick to them or do you buy things that you think they might like?

[Colexis Mom]

I try to spend the same amount for each child, although that may not amount to the same number of gifts (although I try to keep it even).

I had them sit down and write out a list (I helped Colin) last week, just to have. It also helps when family calls and asks what they want (and I draw a complete blank)!

[koalamom]

Yes, get them started on their lists. It helps me out and then I can tell something to the grandparents.

Throughout the year when they spy something they like or maybe mention something I write it down in my notebook and refer to that.

I do try to keep the money "even" though that does get tougher with older ones vs younger ones.

A couple of years ago we got them a 15-in-1 game table as a joint gift.

[RobDVC]

We spend the same on both boys.
We have them go through the circulars/catalogs and make lists for us, and we try to stick to it, and throw in a few surprises too.

[Teresa]

We spend the EXACT same amount on every child. Following a rule my dad and step-mom followed.

With a blended family, it was tough. HIS kids (Dsis and I) lived with OUR mom. HER 2 oldest lived with THEIR dad and step-mom, and HER youngest lived with both HER and Dad.
Dad's son from another marraige lived with HIS mom.

so, to keep everyone from the "you love _____ better than you love me, because I know how much MY gift cost and how much HIS/HER gift cost" Dad and Momma would try to get the gifts as close as Possible, then give everyone the difference -
i.e.:
Teresa's gift is 100 even.
Tanja gets a 99.48 gift and .52 cents
Mark gets a 98.73 gift and 1.27
etc......

so, when I married DH, and we had MY DD, and HIS DD living with us, and HIS DS living with his ex., we just did the same thing.
I keep VERY detailed lists of what I buy - even down to little trinkets for stockings.

[JaimeandChad]

I tell my kids they get one toy from Santa (how else is he going to deliver toys to many people at one time?) and we usually get them one or two. Money wise I try to make it even but now ds is 6 he wants more expensive toys. DD is 3 and she just wants babies. LOTS of babies! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Dale_Loves_Mickey]

At our house money amounts change and varrie, but then so do gift counts. Due to money being so tight these days we try to get them a few things they need (like a new pair of jeans and dress shirts for the boys) and a few they want. Of course if they really want the lates thing-a-ma-jig that costs an arm and a leg they end up w/ fewer gifts than if they want the cheaper same-as-everyone-else.

And yes, it gets harder to shop for the older boys than the younger girls every year. This year DS's want cell phones and the girls want more princess stuff.

[dejavu]

I try to keep it fairly even. The older ones know that high ticket items mean less gifts. DD made her list and put down the side of it "things I would Love (she drew a heart), but won't get- cell phone, laptop, electric keyboard, i-Pod."

I told her if she really really wanted the Nano ($150 I think?), she might be able to get it, but that would be her ONLY gift. She did NOT want to give up the chance at new clothes/makeup/hair stuff. Suddenly my $60 Creative Zen Nano is looking good to her.

My 14 Yr. old has one videogame on his list and that is it.

DS, 8, has all legos on his list.

This year, I'm getting them things I think they will like, but that aren't on their lists. I'm saving a couple ideas in case a relative asks, also.

[MickeyMAC]

I try to keep it fairly even. The number of gifts will vary due to the amount they cost.