Christmas Spending...

[Triple Freak]

How much do you plan on spending for Christmas gifts?

[corkybstewart]

I buy 5 pounds of Minnesota wild rice for each of my siblings and my parents, a little something for the wife but I'll probably give each of my kids a wad of cash. And I'll take a bunch of my Cristmas bonus and give to our techs and office staff, and a couple of local charities.

[dparsons]

I used to do the no pants thing because people would not get in your way and would let you cut in line at the check out. Sometimes the store owner even let you have things for free. I finally got arrested and decided to give it up.
:D

[danno]

most of my family have their wish lists on Amazon, so I did a good deal of my shopping this year in front of my pc... (insert pants wearing joke here...)

[S.F.B.]

I do most of the shopping on line so I wear no pants.

:D

[Seymour]

Originally posted by S.F.B.
I do most of the shopping on line so I wear no pants.

:D

I quit that when we re-upholstered the office chair in naugahyde. Came up off the seat once too quick. Still have the mark.

Seriously, our families are approximately the size of a small town, so we long ago decided to treat Christmas as a treat strictly for the kids. Around Oct, we put all the kid's name in a hat, and everyone pulls out one. We haven't put a spending limit in yet, but we may have to. Still, that seems to have put the brakes on some of the outrageous spending.

I'd say we'll probably max out at a couple hundred bucks. Then there's our various charities.

[M.K. Jeeves]

Don't spend as much as I used to. Thank God for gift cards and online shopping. If you want an accurate count of how many lunatics there are in your area just visit any shopping venue anytime day or night in the month of December.
Absolute madness!

[ag2brewing]

Like Seymour, my family gifts the nieces and nephews (and in our case, the dog). We do gift our parents but that is really the extent and we feel the holiday part is for the kids anyway. We all bought houses a few years ago and that really put a damper on making it a big holiday (just happy to be together)...

I'm just trying to figure out if I should call corkybstewart dad or boss... -A

[revans618]

I keep it under $500, too many relatives, in-laws, work buddies to go crazy on giving presents. My sister has 7 kids between her and her 2nd husband. Most people just get the pleasure of my company around the holidays.;)

[corkybstewart]

Originally posted by ag2brewing


I'm just trying to figure out if I should call corkybstewart dad or boss... -A

You're best bet is neither. I give the employees a bonus for working nights and weekends and especially holidays , being on 24 hour call and not bitching.
And the kids know that with that wad of cash will be a ration of "fatherly advice crap" they'd much rather do without. In fact my son hasn't asked for money in almost 2 years so he doesn't have to listen to me rant.

[chazwicke]

I'm tired of the whole Xmas thing. For years I have given liberally to all of my extended family. (Inlaws, neices and nephews.) but now several of the kids are nearing age 25 and only two are still even in high school. At what age do you call it quits? I always buy most of my gifts for my immediate family online and let the wife do the shopping for the extensions but I'm thinking that it is getting to the point where we all take a cruise or tropical vacation and each family pays their own way and no gifts are exchanged. That way everyone is together but there is no pressure to buy for everyone. I still will contribute to charities all year long. No need to only do that at Xmas.

What would be even cooler is to contribute what we normally spend for gifts for everyone to charity. I think that would be great.

[corkybstewart]

My wife's immediate family is about 65 members so we have an age cutoff of 10 years old. They get some sort of New Mexico trinket or book.

My nephew and nieces get from us what we get from them-absolutely nothing. For several years they got gift cards to blockbuster video, but after 5 years without so much as a thank you I'm tired of it so they're all cut off. At Thanksgiving they barely even talked to us so I'm sure they won't miss our gift.
I like Chaz's idea of a cruise. Unfortunately that's a bad time for all of us to get time off from work. And the thought of being trapped on a ship with my family for a week is chilling. Somebody would have to swim home.

[ag2brewing]

I'm on board with Chaz... I love to see my family and would really love to have more of a role in my nieces and nephews lives. Unfortunately, there is a lot of land between coasts. When we do get together, it is at one family member's house along with all the dogs and friends and... My wife and I end up on a blow-up mattress or pullout couch. We are both pushing to setup destination visits. The beach or even a cabin on a lake would be great...

corkybstewart, I'm sure your kids appreciate your advise even if they don't admit it. I find my father makes much more sense to me now than when I was younger. Still not sure what was wrong with him back then... It is also great to see you are rewarding your employees.

All and all, my wife and I don't get home enough so even if it is in front of the TV with family, I wouldn't give it up... I miss them most during the holidays. And they like my home brew too... -A

[Seymour]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
And the thought of being trapped on a ship with my family for a week is chilling. Somebody would have to swim home.

Aw, c'mon...somebody's gotta give this some love. No way that's not hysterical! (And in the case of my family, pretty darned accurate...)

[chazwicke]

I laughed out loud when I read it. There is an inlaw or two that I could do without most of the time.

[billy frank]

I am actually at a crux right now over the whole christmas thing. I am not an overly religeous person(read as barely religeous), but with a 3 year old I have to make this holiday more important than Santa Claus and a stack of presents.
I really don't like the way things have gotten so selfish and materialistic in the last decade. How do i reign it in without seeming like a scrouge?

I wish it was a little more like thanksgiving.

Thanks,
Billy

[Spicoli]

More important than spending is the reason behind Christmas. So many forget or don't care in todays world. I say spend what you can reasonably afford and tell your children the real purpose of Christmas.

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by Spicoli
I say spend what you can reasonably afford and tell your children the real purpose of Christmas. FOOTBALL!

[ClockworkOrange]

Don't spend above your means. Going into debt over Christmas is just plain silly.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by billy frank
I am actually at a crux right now over the whole christmas thing. I am not an overly religeous person(read as barely religeous), but with a 3 year old I have to make this holiday more important than Santa Claus and a stack of presents.
I really don't like the way things have gotten so selfish and materialistic in the last decade. How do i reign it in without seeming like a scrouge?

I wish it was a little more like thanksgiving.

Thanks,
Billy

That's what it is about - giving. In one way, giving presents to your 3 year old is teaching him about giving. Its not like you can sit down and explain it to him/her. He won't get it. Its your demonstration over time and how you do it that gets the idea across.

[dparsons]

The other issue I see - with adults anyway - is that celebrating Christmas becomes an obligation. Lots of people get caught up in all the things they "have to do," actually start to dislike the holiday, and are relieved when it is over. It has ceased to be a holiday.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Mill Rat
FOOTBALL!

No silly, Holiday beers!;)

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by dparsons
The other issue I see - with adults anyway - is that celebrating Christmas becomes an obligation. Lots of people get caught up in all the things they "have to do," actually start to dislike the holiday, and are relieved when it is over. It has ceased to be a holiday.

Agreed!

[ClockworkOrange]

Originally posted by chazwicke
No silly, Holiday beers!;)

Exactly!! When I was younger, one of the first things I used to look forward to around the holidays was my Mom's and Aunts homemade cookies and baked goods. Now it's the holiday/winter beers.

[HarkJohnny]

we're really cutting back this year. with kiddie #2 almost here and the wife quitting her job in October extra cash has been sparse. luckily i started a seperate savings account last jan for this years Xmas. cash only, no more freaking Credit Cards!

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by billy frank
I am actually at a crux right now over the whole christmas thing. I am not an overly religeous person(read as barely religeous), but with a 3 year old I have to make this holiday more important than Santa Claus and a stack of presents.
I really don't like the way things have gotten so selfish and materialistic in the last decade. How do i reign it in without seeming like a scrouge?

I wish it was a little more like thanksgiving.

Thanks,
Billy

When my granddaughter was three my daughter and she started the tradition of going through her things and weeding out toys that she was too old for, clothes she was too big for, etc. and packing them in boxes for the Samaritans. Now, at five, Jordan has started asking if it's time to give to other kids to make them happy at Christmas.

[dparsons]

Nice, Soxy. She'll grow up thinking to give.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by SoxyinMO
Now, at five, Jordan has started asking if it's time to give to other kids to make them happy at Christmas.

You have a gem there.



And btw Happy Birthday! I know it is some time this month.;)

[dparsons]

I exceeded my stated amount for presents. I bought myself a new car and blew out the top of the survey. My 9 year old Subaru was giving signs beyond its normal rattles and I decided it was better to replace it before I had to do more major repairs. The clutch felt mildly funny (already replace one - design flaw). It ate a quart of oil in the three months since September (liquid gaskets a 2nd time probably). It would make funny noises if I turned the steering wheel while going fast enough in a turn (power steering pump probably). My apologies for ruining your survey Trippel Freak, but I had to do it. :D

[chazwicke]

What did you buy?

[dparsons]

An Audi A3.

[wild]

Originally posted by dparsons
An Audi A3.
I went the cheap route and am having my engine rebuilt for my present. With any luck, I can pick it up later this morning.

Wild

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by dparsons
I exceeded my stated amount for presents. I bought myself a new car and blew out the top of the survey. My apologies for ruining your survey Trippel Freak, but I had to do it. :D I think you need to adjust your posting. Figure that a good portion of that is an ongoing necessary expense, not a gift (maybe the gift portion is the difference between the Audi and a new Subaru similar in class & features to the old one), and then amortize that difference over the next 9 years or so. OTOH, that'll cut into your gift allowance for the next decade, too.

[corkybstewart]

At the end of my son's Christmas wish list, which was actually reasonable this year, he offered me the chance to buy him one present for the next 6 years of birthdays and Christmas: A Mitsubishi Lancer something or other, about a $38K price tag. We figured that at approximately $1000/year that we give him, after 6 years we'll only be short about $32K. I think we'll pass.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by Mill Rat
I think you need to adjust your posting. Figure that a good portion of that is an ongoing necessary expense, not a gift (maybe the gift portion is the difference between the Audi and a new Subaru similar in class & features to the old one), and then amortize that difference over the next 9 years or so. OTOH, that'll cut into your gift allowance for the next decade, too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Part of it is necessary ongoing expenses in that I have to have transportation. The gift part is that it is a nicer car that I like. A similar Subaru wouldn't be much different in price anyway.

[dparsons]

Corky, get him one of he scale models. $14.95 + a tube of model glue. ;)

[Mill Rat]

Yesterday I came up with a little inspiration for the holiday season. We're supposed to wrap all these gifts, and put ribbon and bows and geegaws like that on them, and fruity little name to/from tag to boot. The hardware-store guy in me just shudders at the thought. But somehow were supposed to keep the contents of the gift a mystery until they're opened, So I finally figured out a solution Tim Allen would endorse: spray paint. Get some cans of red and green spray paint, line up the presents, unwrapped, and spray 'em down on three sides, let 'em dry, spray paint the recipient's name (no need to add a "from," they'll know this wasn't mom's whacked idea) in the contrasting color on the top while there's still a couple unpainted sides so you can keep 'em straight, then flip 'em over and paint the remaining sides. What's not to like?

[corkybstewart]

Originally posted by dparsons
Corky, get him one of he scale models. $14.95 + a tube of model glue. ;)

That's a great idea, that's what I'm going to do for him and see if he keeps his end of the bargain.

[Dextolen]

My oldest is turning 8 and wanted a Nintendo DS and a couple games, so my budget for her got blown out of the water from, say $80 to nearly $200.

And I worry about Christmas Day jealousies if she is still counting gifts compared to her little brother, who is 3 and getting many more (cheaper) presents. Perhaps she'll be playing w/ her new DS and not care.

My wife and I don't exchange gifts anymore, perhaps small things, but it's cool. We both pretty much go out and get what we want when our budget allows anyway.

[corkybstewart]

My wife is giving me a cheese making kit and some mushroom growing kits, so she gets at least half the benefit. She's getting a TENS unit for her neck and back pain, so I benefit from not hearing her complain about her aches and pains. So as usual the kids(adults now) get the goodies.
Ever year I get gag gifts for someone. One year I gave my wife a "diamond necklace". It was a diamond core drilling bit, 1' diameter on a silver chain. Last year my son got "Humpy the Monkey" a leg humping monkey toy.

[ClockworkOrange]

"Last year my son got "Humpy the Monkey" a leg humping monkey toy."

That's hilarious! I've got to see one of those in action.

[corkybstewart]

It was great, it even made all the appropriate noises. I picked it up at a Hastings Books in the closeout bin.
There's always a little apprehension Christmas morning when the family's opening presents. It keeps them on their toes.

[DecoJuicer]

All of my family members are getting a bottle of Mead, and a tin of homemade Christmas cookies this year. Plus some of them are getting some plastic bag holders that SWMBO is making. For my favorite brother-in-law, I am hooking him up with the single hottie down the street from me. I really want her under my own tree, but SWMBO wouldn't like that very much.

My mother- and father-in-law decided that they were going to stay in Florida this year, so they were supposed to be out of the gift loop(they haven't given us a gift in 5 years, but they usually at least get the kids a few little things), however, the wife went behind my back and went in on a present with her siblings. Here's the best part though. They didn't even call anybody to thank us when they got it(2 weeks ago).

We usually get something very little for all the nieces and nephews, but I think I am going to start putting an age cut off on them too. A couple of them have better jobs than me now.

The only reason that we do so much is because we usually have all of the family over to our house on Christmas day, and we like for everybody to have something to open.

For my kids and wife though, I have to say that I kind of go crazy on them. I work a lot during the year, and right before the holidays, I always take as much overtime as I can get so that they get a little extra under the tree, and that I don't go into debt of holiday shopping.

As far as charities go, this year I took my kids to the toy store in the mall and let them pick out a gift, then I took them over to the Toys-for-tots station and let them donate the toys. They also thin out their toys about 3 times a year for the less fortunate.

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by chazwicke
You have a gem there.



And btw Happy Birthday! I know it is some time this month.;)

She sure is!

And thanks for the good wishes; it was actually Thanksgiving but I don't mind a month's grace!

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by dparsons
Nice, Soxy. She'll grow up thinking to give.

Exactly!

[dparsons]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
That's a great idea, that's what I'm going to do for him and see if he keeps his end of the bargain.

:D

I'm getting one for my son, but he is 9.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by SoxyinMO
She sure is!

And thanks for the good wishes; it was actually Thanksgiving but I don't mind a month's grace!

Great picture. I like the tooth.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by Mill Rat
So I finally figured out a solution Tim Allen would endorse: spray paint. Get some cans of red and green spray paint, line up the presents, unwrapped, and spray 'em down ...

Hmmm. I don't think that will work so well with a Cashmere sweater.