As the media likes to remind us, Christmas is rapidly approaching, and we need to pick up our purchasing pace. I never know how much to spend on Christmas presents. I love giving, so I want to be generous, but I don’t want to be gaudy (and I don’t want to break the bank). How much do you spend per person, and what is your overall budget?
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I always spend more than I intend too, partially because I have a large family. Sometimes I keep within a $35 budget. At other times if I see something i really love I say the hell with it and spend more.
I try to spend as little as possible, since I have little that's possible to spend. $100 would be the highest I would ever go for a single gift, but usually it's in the $50-and-under range.
You remind me that I *Need* an over-all budget. Typically, between my large family (4 siblings, 2 nieces and 3 nephews) and my husband's enormous family (4 siblings, 2 nieces and 3 nephews as well!), it can get out of control. But on my side of the family, we agreed long ago to just buy for the kids and then mom & dad. It works well. I stay under $25 per kid. We do a bit more each for mom & dad. I do well at Christmas, always under $400 (including my husband and son as typically my husband and I promise a trip together as our present) but my husband's side each get gifts (including steps and former steps) and I admit, it feels a bit over-the-top! We try to stay under $700 total--but when you include airfare to see them...well, we're way over budget this year.
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