So How much are you planning to spend this X'Mas on gifts ?

[jayne_a]

this year ours is 1200. Which is kinda high, but DH and I got ourselves a snow blower which we opened early after the last snow storm

[kidsteph]

I get many gifty things from Shoppers Drug Mart with points - usually will gift a redemption ($170 or $200) close to Christmas to my mother - this I did last year (worth $250 and she was delighted).

I give to charity using SDM points too -this year my workplace is giving gift back packs to teens who don't live at home and I offered to provide a full SDM redemption worth of stuff - personal care items, etc.

Plus my excellent friends and my work manager either get Gift Cards, homemade gifts (jams, wines, hot chocolate on a spoon, christmas cookies).

I have not offically started my shopping yet. My kids are 13 and 16 and love to get cold hard cash to buy what they want; but 2 years ago that is exactly what we did and they complained on Christmas Day about having so few gifts to open. I can't win, can I?

Maybe we can post after December 25th?

[matrix82]

Going to try to keep it under $400 for my family and spouses' family:
My Parents
His Parents
My Two Sisters
His Sister, bil and niece
My grandparents and grandmother
My little cousin

There may be some others that pop up between now and Christmas, so I have some extra gifts on hand.

[roseofblack25]

I have my sister and parents to shop for still but am aiming for $100 or less this year...I have my dad's gift already picked out and it will cost me $15 tops with tax but he will love it I know he will so just have my sister and mom to shop for. My sisters is a bit harder since she just had a birthday and I got her something awesome and now am out of ideas! I'm also doing some vegan baking which hopefully she will appreciate since I know our mom won't bake anything like that for her...I'm thinking truffles right now after seeing that holiday baking thread

[KJH]

I'm not spending much this year my wife had her hrs at her job cut more than 1/2. We think the place is closing but no one has heard.

[Minou]

In gifts, probably around $1000 for my husband, 2 kids, dad, dad's girlfriend, 2 nieces, a nephew, daycare provider, daycare provider's kids, daycare kids, and a few coworkers...my husband is responsible for shopping for his dad, stepmother, and sister. Some of my costs will be reduced with Optimum points. The value of the gifts is probably more than double the dollar amount, as I tend to shop all year, buying most gifts at about 70% off. This also has the benefit of spreading out the financial impact! Still, it adds up... when I walk through stores at this time of year, I feel a little bit sick as I think about what all those gifts would cost me if I had to buy them right now. Makes me want to avoid the stores until bonus redemption! I really don't know how people do it.

[cath007]

In gifts, probably around $1000 for my husband, 2 kids, dad, dad's girlfriend, 2 nieces, a nephew, daycare provider, daycare provider's kids, daycare kids, and a few coworkers...my husband is responsible for shopping for his dad, stepmother, and sister. Some of my costs will be reduced with Optimum points. The value of the gifts is probably more than double the dollar amount, as I tend to shop all year, buying most gifts at about 70% off. This also has the benefit of spreading out the financial impact! Still, it adds up... when I walk through stores at this time of year, I feel a little bit sick as I think about what all those gifts would cost me if I had to buy them right now. Makes me want to avoid the stores until bonus redemption! I really don't know how people do it.

Maybe the boxing day will help..But yes if you have an idea what the people want always a good idea to shop all year long and reduce the financial impact...of those credit card after christmas full...I still dont get why people does that.

[cath007]

In my familly at least the last 10 years.We where focused on the good food(thing we eat at special occasion and the pleasure to be togheter watching tv discuss and maybe 1 or 2 gifts) (gifts was where we are child or baby lol toy!!!)

Went we go in familly we always do games with gifts...but they are like 1,2,or 3$ dollorama gifts and we always have pleasure..I got goods things for my appart the first year lol

[Brooke_]

BF and I are splitting a snowboarding trip together.
Hotel: $210.00 (at a Fairmont -- I have a staff discount there )
Gas: Free (my roommate fills my car with his work gas card)
Lift Passes: $240.00
Food: $100

At Most $300 spent on each other. And we get to snowboard two days together in the mountains, how awesome is that?
I have also pooled with some sisters and a cousin for my Grandma this year. She doesn't tend to get big gifts from her grandchildren so when she jokingly told me she wanted this $300 leather jacket from Danier, I was willing to surprise her with a gift card myself but luckily the others came in on it with me.
Also got my mom auto-start in her car ($650 later...).
And spent roughly $75 on each of my 5 siblings and my father.

I spent a lot however I don't do this every year and this year I was able to, so why not give back to those that have given to you. Family is what it is all about but it's nice to receive a wrapped package once in a blue moon!

[RebeccaRYoung]

We're spending about $500-800. I don't have kids, but buy gifts for parents, siblings and in-laws. I also needed to buy for husband's boss, husband's secretary, and hostess gifts for the people that are hosting parties. This doesn't include the gas to drive around and see everyone.

[MrsSunshine]

I didn't set a budget .. only 4 ppl to buy for. parents, hubby and 2 kids. i spent more on hubby as he's really been so there for me this year. spent about $200 on him. the kids $50 for each including stuffers. and parents is simple package of multi box kleenex and scratch tickets.. $30 they don't need much at 80. in addition i've made some treats and will hand out a few treat trays to some neighbors.

[lizzie bargain]

I spent about $400.00 on gifts. It would be interesting to continue this thread from what we planned to spend to what we actually spent!

[GoStumpy]

I didn't separate gifts from travel expenses (except gas) like breakfast, lunch, booze, etc, while visiting families, but I'm thinking I spent ~$600 on gifts, and $200 on food/booze.. all shared of course Me and wife spent ~$150 on each other, and then the rest on our assortment of families.

On that note, it's time to start saving for next Christmas! Decide how much you want to spend next Christmas, divide by 12, and viola, easy monthly payment so the cash is ready come Christmastime

I'll be putting $75/month towards Christmas

[Abby5]

I didn't separate gifts from travel expenses (except gas) like breakfast, lunch, booze, etc, while visiting families, but I'm thinking I spent ~$600 on gifts, and $200 on food/booze.. all shared of course Me and wife spent ~$150 on each other, and then the rest on our assortment of families.

On that note, it's time to start saving for next Christmas! Decide how much you want to spend next Christmas, divide by 12, and viola, easy monthly payment so the cash is ready come Christmastime

I'll be putting $75/month towards Christmas

Very smart idea

[BuggaBugga]

I am putting away $5 or $10 a week plus any money and (expiry less) gift cards I get from rebates for next Christmas. I am aiming to save $700 in cash and gc, plus I will have my optimum points as well.