How much did you spend per kid? - Not trying to be nosy, think I overspent

luvmykids wrote: I don't think I overspent because I hit such great sales but part of me thinks it's still just too much....I'm not trying to be nosy, thats why I tried to keep the poll in vague ranges but I really can't decide if I should return some stuff or not. Buying for four kids it adds up pretty quick

CantWait replied: I spent over $200 for each. Stockings alone probably cost at least $50 if not a bit more.

Anthony I spent less on because I ordered one of his gifts from airmiles. We did spend probably closer to $300 each, but did get a lot of either educational type stuff and/or not a lot of video games this year.

luvmykids replied: I spent about $200 each, and I think I got good stuff, not just junk that will end up under the bed in a week, kwim? But part of me is thinking that with four sets of grandparents and all my friends who dote on them, it's just too much. I was planning on trying to cut back this year. Then again, they'll be split between me and Santa so I guess it's not too bad

I piled it all up when I got home to try to decide what to return but I really love everything I got them

CantWait replied: I had cut back this year. But when I looked under the tree when everything was wrapped it just wasn't enough, and there weren't enough FUN things under the tree. I and Ron (which is odd, and now I know there wasn't much) decided to get a couple more gifts for each child. Luckily also because my grandma only sends money of course, and this year my mom just couldn't swing to many.

I don't buy the kids much in terms of toys and games throughout the year so I don't feel to bad about buying them as much for Christmas. Also like I said, they didn't get a lot of video games as normally Robbie would.

For ex. Robbie got this year, an MP3, an I-Fish, a hockey stick, an electricians kit from Discovery Toys, Laser Tag set, a (that's right, just one computer game), a set of pjs, and a game cube controller. There might be one thing that I'm missing.

Anthony got an art easle with some paints and such, a kit to learn how to write, a couple Little Tykes trucks, a movie, a computer game that teaches numbers etc.. and a couple board games, maybe something else, but you see it's not a lot of junk stuff.

luvmykids replied: I'm the same way, Marie, I don't buy them hardly anything during the year. If I do they've earned it so I don't feel too bad....I tried to get some educational type stuff this year too, especially since the twins are so into the stuff they're learning in school. Last year I got a ton of stuff but it was all silly and none of it got played with for more than a week so I'm hoping I did better this year.

Nina J replied: I spent way to much, 200 +. I should've spent less, but I see something and can't resist. Also, it's Odessa's first Christmas. She doesn't understand Christmas, but I bought her some stuff that hopefully she'll still have when she's older. I saw a teddy bear with Baby's First Christmas, 2006 on it, and I had to buy it..I was imagining her showing it to her grandkids

But, things are so exspensive these days. It's hard not to go overboard in terms of prices.

sparkys2boys replied: we spend $200+ also, but like you said Marie stocking stuffers add up really fast.It's not hard to spend that kind of money in a hurry. I did cut back this year though compared to other years. I don't get them alot of "junk" stuff either.Always an outfit, new pj's, slippers, in that mix of toys too.

blue72 replied: We spend around $60.00 on Jake - 2yr old, $60 - $100 on Luke - 5, and $250 on Kyle - 7. Kyle's gift (playstation 2) was expensive.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: usually we spend way over 200$ each... but this year we paid off all our credit cards etc so we've been living on cash only... so all we got the two older kids is a GBA with 4 games each (but we're only giving them 2 each) so we spent about 170$ each, then for Naomie we didn't really get her anything. She doesn't need anything really... we have more than enough toys and clothes for her...Pretty bad, eh?

Oh wait... not true... we did tear down her crib last night... and since she slept at the inlaws last night, we decided she's ready for the big bed... so she's got a new set of Princesses sheets I could wrap...

My3LilMonkeys replied: $100 per child (which ended up being more like $50 per child individually and $100 on joint gifts) plus about $20 total for stocking stuffers.

flirtycuddle replied: I am the minority it seems so far lol. We spent about $50 on Jackie(2) and so far still have to get Will something for under the tree. He is 5 months and we have all the toys you can think of from Jackie still and df's parents spoiled both kids rotten big time so its hard trying to find him something.

coasterqueen replied: I am not quite for sure because I bought some stuff throughout the year, but I know I spent no more than $200 because that is what I was given to spend on each girl. I actually had to take a bunch of stuff back and ask my mom to buy the rest off me to give to the girls because I had WAY too much. Most of that money is on books and clothes, I know that for sure.

They did get one big joint gift that is not included in that under $200/each. The only reason they got the gift is because we've wanted to get it for some time now and a store closed out here in town and the price was too good to pass up. It will also be Megan's birthday present as well.

msoulz replied: I don't even want to add it up. I totally OD'd on the boy this year - I am sure a psychologist would say it is because I feel guilty about not spending as much time with him due to this sister's arrival. She didn't get as much because she's so young. Oh well, as long as it isn't taking food out of his mouth I guess it is OK. BUT he is not getting the two things he really wanted because one is too dangerous and the other is a game which is inappropriate. I told my husband if he expresses too much disappointment instead of being grateful for all that he gets I'll be returning a whole lot of stuff. He is already aware that he is not getting the heely's and is not happy about it. Poor spoiled boy!!

Cece00 replied: On the older 3, probably at least $200 each. I didnt spend quite as much on Jack, because #1- He is not even 4 months old and #2- I tried to find stuff for him but with 3 older kids under the age of 6, we pretty much have every toy that I would want to buy, at least 100-200 books, and I saved all the clothes from my older 2 boys so he has more clothes than any baby could wear. The 4 or 5 gifts I did get him were HARD for me to pick out.

I wanted to cut back this yr but I had a hard time. I dont lavish gifts on my kids all yr for no reason b/c I dont want my kids to grow up spoiled. But I LOVE Christmas and I love buying them what they REALLY want.

My parents are even worse than me. I counted like 80 presents under their tree, and at least 45-50 were for our family (me, DH, 4 kids).

skinkybaby replied: Including stocking stuffers, we probably spent around $200 on her. Then my husband's grandfather bought her a power wheels mustang, my dad bought her a ton of new books, and who knows what my husband's parents bought her!
But we don't buy her a lot of toys during the year unless she does something really good, so we load her up at Christmas and her birthday and then try and cycle them out.

ZandersMama replied: I didnt spend too much this year, prob around 400$ combined for the two boys. Zander is getting the majority or course, I got him a Leapster ( cant wait to hook it up.) Other then that he desperately needed clothes so while he is getting some small toys he is getting mostly clothes. Zavier is getting clothes, rattles ect.

What do you get for a 3 month old baby who isn't due to be born yet

BAC'sMom replied: Probably $200.00 + per kid

Calimama replied: We only spent about $100 on Bella. She doesnt understand Christmas but it was her first one.

MoonMama replied: Oh goodness I think between DH and I we spent $300 plus on Braedin. I think we are both just way too excited for his first Christmas, and after trying for so long and being told it will never happen we finally have our little angel.

Brias3 replied: I was bad as usual- I know I spent more than $200 on each of them. I'm with a few of you though- I really try not to buy them toys and things "just because" during the year (they get spoiled enough by other family members) so I like to go all out on Christmas. Plus, the amount spent is taking into consideration Santa gifts too. Things really add up, plus they got a few joint gifts this year that were bigger as well.

lisar replied: Normally I will spend about 4 to 5 hundred per kid. But this year as everyone knows I bought Lexi a 4-wheeler. Which was ALOT more than that. But that wont happen every year.

My2Beauties replied: Oh boy, we spent over $200 on one present for each let alone the rest of their gifts We spent over $1400 on Hanna and Desiree this year, easy! Desiree got a mini bike that cost $250 plus a big huge stereo that cost over $100 plus more stuff then Hanna is going to get a Disney Princess Power Wheels that cost $250 plus a bunch of other toys and they got a trampoline, but I have to say the trampoline was given to us for free, I just have to go buy the cage and the spring protector thingies after Christmas, don't have time to get them, we just got the trampoline set up today sitting behind the garage.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I spent a ton..I dont think mine is even on the list. My kids got a 4 wheeler to share so 4 grand..and then tons of presents. I am gonna take a pic of the tree.. it's so bad. When I was growing up I had Christmas's when I didn't get anything at all..so I go way over board for the kids..

TANNER'S MOM replied: Okay here is my tree..and it's stupid...lol
And that doesn't count the Santa gifts and the 4 wheeler

Boo&BugsMom replied: I think we spent around $150 on Tanner. Give or take a few bucks. I don't mind telling people. I'm a pretty open person.

holley79 replied: I think we spent about 150 on Annika and about 100 on Brandon.