No matter how I slice it I usually spend about $300.00 per child on Christmas and then there are all the friends and family so it's about $1500.00. Does that seem in the ballpark to what others spend?
Did you scale down much this year?
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No matter how I slice it I usually spend about $300.00 per child on Christmas and then there are all the friends and family so it's about $1500.00. Does that seem in the ballpark to what others spend?
Did you scale down much this year?
Funny you should ask, I just did the "Christmas math" as I was putting away wrapping paper, bows, tape, etc. I spent about $300, just a bit over budget.
I just figured mine out and I spent roughly $500. That's just my family and friends, not counting Bruce's family. Yes, I did scale back this year, for sure! I had no choice.
I buy more only for my son and there's no way I'll spend a large amount on my friends. I don't like them that much. LOL My gift is open house w/a killer buffet dinner and if they're nice to me, they get to take home a cat. ;)
I can't spend what I don't have so I'd say, "not much". But it's the thought that counts. At least that's what my parents taught me years ago.
We don't have any non-fur children; we buy for the children on my side of the family (2 grand nieces, 2 grand nephews), do "gift bags" of goodies for the adults, buy small gifts for each other, and, of course, there's Pinot! ;) We do not exchange gifts for the surviving members of my husband's family-no problem, just don't. I use the "regal we" - as my husband hasn't a clue what anyone gets until the gifts are opened...;)
My guesstimate for this year would be approximately $600. It's probably a little more this year - there were many trips to the pet store; it was fun! :D
I guess I spent about $600, but I started shopping around the beginning of December so it wasn't all at once. I didn't realize how much stuff I actually bought until I wrapped it all a few days before Christmas. I don't usually spend anywhere near that much but I decided to actually put a little effort into it this year and not end up getting last minute cheap, crappy presents out of sheer desperation.
I don't have a huge lot to buy for though: my boyfriend, his parents, my parents, and 3 family friends.
I spent about $300 total on my parents, sister, brother, and 3 friends.
Due to a hefty fine that the college sneaked on my tab, I was not really able to afford to spend much money at all. I ended up using supplies left over from drawing class to just make presents for a few people. I actually got better reactions on the gifts than if I had just bought them something. For example, I drew this portrait for my mum's friend. It is of his beloved Rottie, and and he absolutely loved it.
I am a bad gift giver (I never know what people really want), so it felt good to actually get it right this year!
That picture is gorgeous!! :)
Those are the best gifts, trust me. You put your heart and soul into them and they're original, too. Plus it's of a beloved furkid so how can you go wrong?Quote:
Originally Posted by Oyster
ETA: A good friend gave me a tile w/my RB Puddy's pic on it and it's able to stand on its own. Obviously, I LOVE it!
Oyster - that was a wonderful gift, and I'm positive it was so much more appreciated than something you could just buy in a store. I'm sure that gift will be treasured for a lifetime - long past the time that other gifts will be long forgotten. :)
Oyster, that is a beautiful portrait.:) It looks great! I can honestly say that if I received a portrait of my Sadie, that would be the best gift I had EVER received, ever.
I do a Christmas Club account at my bank every year. I put in a small amount every week and around Halloween they mail me my check.
I haven't felt the need to downsize it any since the $15 a week isn't a problem at this point. Totalling a check of $750 that covers gifts for my husband, my mom, my dad, my coworkers, my cats, and anyone else I end up getting a gift for plus at least one dinner out for me, hubby and my mom which is a tradition on our first big shopping outing of the season.
I suck at the Christmas spending to receiving ratio, this year much more then most.