How much is to much???

[justmewe]

I was wondering how much money people spend on there children for christmas?
My husband and I Do Not agree on this at all so I thought I would ask some people  
here on Med Help.
I have 3 kids 16, 11, 8 and I spend a close to 400 hundred each.
Is that to much?? or is there other people out there like me?
I sure hope there is I hate it when my husband is always right.......
Thanks :)

[heatherlynn22]

don't worry justmewe...my dh and i "spoil" the kids at christmas too...even though this is only their 2nd christmas. last year we spent $400-$500 / child (they're twins) this year...SO FAR we've spent $400-$450 and we're not done yet. lol that's one thing we do is we go ALL OUT for christmas. we're both used to having BIG christmases (and no we don't think that's what christmas is all about...) luckily though both dh and i agree on how much to spend on the kids. and we spend between $300-$400 on each other (we do a LOT of saving throughout the year so we can have a big christmas as well...which means we don't go party, no going out to super expensive dinners and we don't mind. if the kids are happy we're happy. : o)

[redheadaussie]

Personally I wouldn't spend that much, but it really does depend!
I am on a low income. Even if I had a higher income, I think my kids get tons enough from their relatives for Christmas, and through out the year.  
  
I think that maybe a 100 years ago people bought gifts that were really desired and needed. So it was justified that the cost would be higher. Now-adays we can pretty much buy anything anytime, so for me, I don't believe in big spending at Christmas.

My kids are now 16, 19, and 22. The older two are just happy to see me, and the younger one will be lucky to get a kick up the butt from me this year.(LOL!!!!!)

Honestly, maybe make it half that. You can still get them good pressies and your hubby will see you trying. I think a happy marriage is far more important than present costs any day!

Oh, and by the way! No one is ever stupid! You are just concerned.

[gokuangel]

I dont think its a bad post and i agree with the first response its all depends your income and what you can afford! I'm 28 my DH 27 and we cant afford anything especially in this economy! We also dont have children so with that and our $$ spot we are pretty much the kids! His mom buys us a gift that we really want for christmas and thats it thats what we get! my DH usually though picks a lil bit higher priced item than me since its his mom his usually cost like 80-100$ mine is usually less than 50$ but i think we all come out pretty good my MIL has 5 kids and she still buys for me!

I dont think you should go TOO extravagant but if you have the $$ for a nice gift that your kids want then why not buy it for them!

[jo929]

Maybe i will quit stumbling over my thumbs soon, what i meant was i have great granchildren your kids age. that is really hard for me to admit.  luck again  jo

[jo929]

Plese do not be sorry that you did this post, i think that it is good to have different opinions, i am an ole senior, and was trying to explain just why i could not afford more, but that was way back when and this is now no one should ever be sorry to ask a question i think it is a good idea, and yes it is ok to spoil kids at xmas time i have granchildren older than your kids, so pay no attention to me i enjoy reading all answers and all the changes time makes and remember the salarts were smaller back then also and 10 dollars was a heck of a ,lot and now it is like a penny i know prices are higher but i live in the country and never get to the big city so prices i do not know  have a nice xmas and please do not let my stupid ans spoil it  luck to all and to all a merry xmas  jo

[April2]

I try to keep it around $200 a kid but it does get more expensive when they become teens with all the electronics they want, etc! Last year I bought my 2 oldest a WII, one game for it and the Guitar Hero. That was their big gift and then they just got some stocking stuffers. They were very happy with that and played the WII for the rest of the day.
This year it's harder because my oldest moved out and I'm not sure what to get him! I might just go the gift cards route but I like something for them to open too. It does get harder as they get older!