Soo what would you do?

[Deleted]

You got your SO/DH a big Christmas present ($$) that he really wants and some other various little ones. There is an AWESOME deal on something else he wants, but you've spent a lot of $$. Do you go for the additional present? Money isn't really an issue, but he might get upset at the total amount spent.

[ECB]

If money isn't an issue, I'd probably buy it!

[imoan]

If money isn't an issue... I'd buy it.

[Deleted]

Alright, I got it! I think he'll be so excited. I love Christmas!

[gbck]

I'd get the OK to go over budget because I get pissy when he drops 2x the amount od budget when I'm working my tail off to fit his present in budget (and then I look/feel cheap and scroogy)

Of course, that is why we have a set amount for Christmas budget.

[imoan]

Dec 18, 2012 9:44:31 GMT -5 gbck said:

I'd get the OK to go over budget because I get pissy when he drops 2x the amount od budget when I'm working my tail off to fit his present in budget (and then I look/feel cheap and scroogy)

Of course, that is why we have a set amount for Christmas budget.

There should be a rule that you don't "get pissy" when it comes to someone buying you a gift. He should start taking your shit back when you do that!

[smock]

Does he have a birthday coming up that you could save stuff for?

If not, just go for it!

[dixienormous]

First married holiday. You get a pass on amount spent.

[Deleted]

I've get it and save it for birthday if it's close. DH's is Jan 8th so I end up doing this a lot. Otherwise, just get it!

[imoan]

Dec 18, 2012 10:02:11 GMT -5 @feinicstine said:

I've get it and save it for birthday if it's close. DH's is Jan 8th so I end up doing this a lot. Otherwise, just get it!

H's is Jan 16th... so I end up doing the same a lot.

[Deleted]

It's not until April, which isn't too far away, but I'd rather give it for Christmas. Although the birthday thing is a real good idea!

[smock]

Mr. Smock's b-day is March and I've done this.

But go for it! You could always let him know you went a little overboard so maybe he'll go out and buy you more presents!

[flamingeaux]

Dec 18, 2012 9:48:12 GMT -5 imoan said:

Dec 18, 2012 9:44:31 GMT -5 gbck said:

I'd get the OK to go over budget because I get pissy when he drops 2x the amount od budget when I'm working my tail off to fit his present in budget (and then I look/feel cheap and scroogy)

Of course, that is why we have a set amount for Christmas budget.

There should be a rule that you don't "get pissy" when it comes to someone buying you a gift. He should start taking your shit back when you do that!

I don't think that's fair. I'd be kind of embarrassed to give H a $30 gift in front of family, when it turns out he got me a $60 gift. I'd feel like I look cheap, and didn't put a whole lot of thought into it, even though I might have.

[neonpink]

Buy it!

[Deleted]

Dec 18, 2012 10:16:04 GMT -5 smock said:

You could always let him know you went a little overboard so maybe he'll go out and buy you more presents!

Haha I think he already knows that I will go overboard, I tend to do it every year.

[partiallysunny]

Buy it.

This comes from the person who gets pissy and looks cheap because their spouse always goes over budget.

[Muddled]

I'm overruled, but I wouldn't. Not for Christmas. It's like a game to try and figure out how to get Brad the best gift on whatever spending amount we have set for the year.

[gbck]

Dec 18, 2012 9:48:12 GMT -5 imoan said:

Dec 18, 2012 9:44:31 GMT -5 gbck said:

I'd get the OK to go over budget because I get pissy when he drops 2x the amount od budget when I'm working my tail off to fit his present in budget (and then I look/feel cheap and scroogy)

Of course, that is why we have a set amount for Christmas budget.

There should be a rule that you don't "get pissy" when it comes to someone buying you a gift. He should start taking your shit back when you do that!

Yep, he should take 'em back--one year when $ was tight I did return some things--which was worse than not getting gifts; getting it and having to return it.
It's a budget because that's what we can afford easily.
(We've both gone out of budget on such things, but only w/ 'permission'.)

And like someone else said, I don't like handing over a $20 gift while he drops a $200 gift in my lap. It's not *just* about looking cheap, it's also about the fact that I enjoy giving him gifts and it's not letting me do that (while he 'gets' to give me whatever).

Absolutely break budget, but if the budget was set w/ someone, cluing them in that you're changing the rules is only fair.

[Deleted]

I'd consider it a wedding present.

Also, people keep track of how much the other person spent, really?

You people are freaks.

[smock]

lol Habbsies. Last year H and I set a $100-ish budget for Christmas. He got me an iPhone because he knew I really, really wanted one. I loved it and love it and want to cradle it like my baby, but part of me was also like, "Hey, if I had known we were blowing the budget I would have liked to get you some stuff too!"

[imoan]

Oh boy, Christmas must be a BLAST in some of these households.

Habs- better break out your receipts and compare them with Mr. Man this year! Anything over will have to go back! Even if you love it and really want it. IT'S THE FUCKING PRINCIPLE!

[Deleted]

Dec 18, 2012 14:38:34 GMT -5 gbck said:

Absolutely break budget, but if the budget was set w/ someone, cluing them in that you're changing the rules is only fair.

That's the thing though, we don't set a budget. We used to, but neither of us followed it. So now our agreement is that we buy what we want for the other person and what we can afford to buy for the other person. And I don't keep tabs on how much he spent versus how much I spent.

[partiallysunny]

You don't set a budget? Why was this even a question, lol!

We usually set a budget because money is tight. This year we didn't really have a budget and look where I am! Flat broke.

[fussbucket]

Based in the fact that you think he might get "upset" at going way over budget, I would probably give whichever big gift I think he wants more and either return or not buy the other big gift, depending.

I like a deal as much as the next guy but I stop short of using deals to justify buying something I wouldn't have bought otherwise. Because when the alternative is spending $0, no discount is that much of a "deal."

[gbck]

if there's no budget, have at!
we always have one and we have "if you spend over $x, clear it with me" rules in place. If you're not violating those, I'd run w/ it.

[fussbucket]

You could also give both and give HIM the option of returning one if he's unhappy with the total amount spent. That way he could decide for himself which is more wanted, or decide that he really wants both and can get over the amount spent.

[Deleted]

Yeah I will do that fuss, this other thing that went on sale today is something he has wanted for a few years, but due to the price he just never got himself one. We'll see!

[wrathofkuus]

I would get him ALL the presents.

[Deleted]

I might get it now and give it to him for his BD if it isnt too far away.
If his BD is in Nov. then id give it now!

[macmars45]

We have a set amount that we spend on each other for birthdays & Christmas. We each might go over by $10 or so, but it helps us a to stay within our budget.

So I vote no unless it's cheap. I'm really frugal though so take it with a grain of salt.