DS is 10 and we’re probably spending around $300 including stocking gifts, but not including some clothing items. His main gift will be a pass to Universal Studios and then he’s sharing a couple Switch games with his brother and probably will get one other smaller thing.
DD 12 wants a pair of bog boots and a laptop. I got her both but the laptop isn't being given as a Christmas gift because I want there to be rules and I feel like when it is a gift it is harder to have rules on it.
DD is 11, almost 12. I'd say usually between $250-500. This year is more because she needed a new iPad. I'm at $693 for this year with that including all stocking stuffers.
We usually do one "bigger" gift and for the past few years that has been an experience, but even with that it's been <$500 for the most part.
That being said, much of DD's list are stuffed animals (sigh), cheap knick knacks like a slinky, board games, or self care items like a robe. So even though an iPad and a phone (lolololol) are on her list, she balances it well.
Post by minniemouse on Dec 7, 2023 15:11:33 GMT -5
It will probably end up about $500/kid this year, unless we don’t get the bigger items we have been searching for. Dd1 (14) wants a treadmill. Weird wish but she started cross country this year and wants to keep running this winter. It’s too dark -and cold- out by the time she is home from afterschool activities to run outside. I’m looking on fb marketplace for that, hoping to spend $200 or less. If we find one, then I’ll get dd2 a dance 2 dot which is a bit over $200 for the size she wants. The regular $300 budget/kid was quickly used up with clothes, sneakers, skincare, a dance bag, and a few small toys for dd2.
We spend around 400-500 a kid. I thought we were out of the toy phase with our 10 yo DD but she asked for the Cookeez Makery Treatz Oven that is apparently the hot toy of the year and impossible to find. It's basically a stuffed animal with a bunch of crap to make it an ~activity~ like the Magic Mixies and Scruff-a-luv....just a massive waste of money.
I said $500+ - it seems like in the past couple of years the things we’ve gotten DS have been pricier. Last year, for example, it was a PS5. We might escape more cheaply this year, but I’m thinking next year will likely be a phone 🤷♀️
It depends on the year but this time of year is always expensive. DH’s bday is 12/11, DS1s bday is 12/21 and DS2 bday is 1/10. Between bday parties and Xmas gifts we bleed money. We got some visa gift cards through work for keeping up with our doctor well visits so that’s $700 we have to offset our costs.
We don't buy much (or anything) outside of birthday and Christmas. Mine is 13 and there are still Legos he wants, Lego accessories. We got him a phone but we did what I usually do for us. I buy a new but older model phone. DH and I got Samsung S23s free this year. My son has my old phone that's basically a brick at this point, so I got him and S21 on ebay. I feel like a phone is part necessity, so I still want to get him some other things even though it means spending what seems like a lot. Unfortunately he is obsessed with video games and they're so expensive.