Parents. How many presents?

I truly find it hard not to go nuts and buy too much for my boys... working to keep in under control (since they don't really need anything and I need to keep the finances in control). Lol.
1 gift from Santa $40-50
1 - 2 toys from us
Stockings which will have a few candies/chocolate, few small toys ($1 to $5) and a new movie.

They will get a gift also from each of their grandmother's and an Aunt/Uncle...so more than they need.

I don't have children yet....

Yep.

Excuse me, don't judge, not to be defensive but you don't know me. I might not have kids yet but I brought up my brothers, I have some idea, I know it's not the same. But where I come from Christmas is more about togetherness and food not presents and giving kids what they want just because. Different cultures, don't judge, Thanks goodbye

Judges. Gets judged. Says don't judge . . .

I don't have children yet....

Yep.

Excuse me, don't judge, not to be defensive but you don't know me. I might not have kids yet but I brought up my brothers, I have some idea, I know it's not the same. But where I come from Christmas is more about togetherness and food not presents and giving kids what they want just because. Different cultures, don't judge, Thanks goodbye

Judges. Gets judged. Says don't judge . . .

Ok this is getting out of hand.

Sorry if I offended people, wasn't trying to judge others. Was just joining in the discussion and saying what it's like in my shoes. Sorry if y'all misread what I posted.
Not everyone has much this christmas. And I think I was just trying to say, the most important thing is love, togetherness and joy.

We have 3 kids, all adults now with 2 SO and 1 grandchild. I still follow these rules to this day for them. The only time I ever had a complaint was when I got my 14 year old son a blender for Christmas. He had just started lifting and was constantly making protein shakes or whey something or others. He told me I should get one, but I did not want one so I got it just for him so he could take it to school with him when he left. Funny he never remembers that he got 1 more gift than anyone else that year, but he has never let me forget that I gave him a blender for Christmas one year and it is the first gift he talks about when people start talking about gifts they got at Christmas. I would add we have years where we bought xboxs, Nintendos, big family gifts and yet this it seems is the most memorable gift. :-0)

1. Something cuddly or comforting. (Could be stuffed animal, new blanket, PJ's, warm socks.)
2. Something to read.
3. Something to do inside like a model, a game, expand a collection, dolls, music
4. Something to keep them active outside the house like ice skates, snowman building kit, shovels to build ice castles with etc., pass to the local skating rink, classes to learn something new, tickets to something they want to see.
5. Something they really wanted.

What we can afford divided by 5.

Just reading this out of interest, but I am realising you all are rich as compared to my upbringing. I don't have children yet but I don't think I would spend more than $50 on each.

That's nice, honey.

Something they want
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read

Somewhere to go
Something to eat
Something to share
Something to do

And a story to tell

I really love this.

I don't have kids yet but I like to read the responses. I always love to give a book with a gift to any kids I give to.
When we were growing up we made a list of 3 things (not expensive). I always asked for a box of Easy Bake mixes from Sears and a surprise. On top of that, we always got new socks, underwear and pyjamas. I still love getting those for Christmas. LOL. It became a Christmas tradition that we get to open one gift, I always asked for my pjs.

One gift to each kid from us, but they are 3 and 1 so I can get away with that. The grandparents will probably get them some toys too.

This year, about 10 presents each; we don't do stocking stuffers.
We usually get most of the things on the kids' wish list, within reasons.
I'm anti-electronic gadgets/toys, so we save money there (basically don't like anything that requires battery/plugging-in). Starting to do "experiences" presents, such as Blue Man Group show or Taylor Swift concert tickets or ski trips.

But we downplay Christmas presents. We really splurge on their birthdays, since I love birthdays (especially my own)!

Happy Holidays!

I love the "experiences" idea. I was trying to talk my MIL into that. It would be more useful and memorable than toys they play with just for a day or two before they lose their newness and are forgotten about. But nope, they'll get a bunch of cheap plastic toys. Grumble.

Never had a dollar amount pre set... when I am done is when I am done :laugh:

This is me. I try to keep a budget, but I tend to keep finding things that I want to get them :bigsmile: My oldest (17) has already got his big one--a new tv. I gave him the money and he chose the one he wanted and ordered from Amazon. I got him a few more smaller things to open on Christmas Day. The 12 year old has a list and we try to get all of what's on the list for him, plus a little extra. The 6 year old is happy with pretty much anything. I also do stockings for our 3 dogs and 1 cat and everyone else.

ETA: My oldest has a job and he buys for everyone in our family, too. I've told him he doesn't have to, but he likes to.

I can't even think of anything to get my son for Christmas because he already has everything he needs and he doesn't really ask for much.
I was planning on spending about $300 on him. The things he did ask for I gave out to the grandparents because if I don't limit them or give them ideas they will get him all kinds of crazy things.
I've asked them to put money in his college fund when they want to spend money on him but that doesn't work.

I guess that sounds like a lot compared to some others but we don't buy a lot of toys throughout the year. Hubby and I spend that much on ourselves as well as we do not buy much for ourselves often either.

From reading this, I think we may over spend.
My two girls get 1 huge present each ipod, tv ect.
They then get:
An outfit
PJs
blanket
beauty products
Game to play together (board game and wii game)
and something educational.
Depending on how expensive their large gift is we also give a few smaller gifts. We try for them to have the same number of packages. Last year was hard because the youngest wanted an ipod touch 5 and the oldest just wanted a lot of stuff we normally won't spend on (certain clothes, shoes ect) because of the amount spent on the youngest she did have less to unwrap.

This year neither want anything they both say they have everything...makes it hard to shop.

They also do a present exchange with their cousins and receive gifts for grandparents.

1 $20 gift each and 2 $10 gifts each and a stocking. I am sure they will get more from grandparents etc.

My younger (12) son will get at least 1 from me, 1 from his mom, and 1 from his grandma. My older boy (14) ****ed up big time this year. He is getting coal, literally, from each of us. Tough love. It is killing me to be honest. I will probably cry when I see his face. I bought him a really nice watch a couple of months ago for Christmas, but he isn't getting it till his birthday in May.

Aw, that is really hard. My son (6) got bad behavior reports everyday the week of Halloween. We told him he wasn't allowed to go trick or treating. Since we already had the costume we told him he could dress up and pass out candy. He cried alot but I think he had more fun passing out candy than he would have getting candy in the rain! My mom over-reacted naturally calling us bad parents and even called my dad (they don't talk) and my son's school to find out about the behavior charts...

It was the right decision and a good parenting move. He's been coming home with excellent reports.

My fiance and I spend $150 on each other, about the same on the kid.