Wow, reading a lot of these comments has made me realize how ridiculous we are in my house…I almost feel embarrassed. We do give a lot to charities, but it doesn’t justify the crazy spending we typically do.

We spent less too this year. Only because we decided to cut out adults and just buy for kids. We buy for nieces and nephews that we see maybe four times a year and this year, I cut WAY back…

I usually get my son something he wants, something he needs, something practical and something to read. Of course I get him a few other things and stocking stuffers (which ADD up), but this year I went to a discount toy warehouse and got almost everything he asked “Santa” for at over 75% off!!!!!

He never “wants” for anything anyway, his Grandfathers spoil him rotten and so does his Grandma.

One thing we do that works every year is to go through his toys and books and the ones he hasn’t played with or read within three months, we give to a shelter or to a charity. Makes room for new things and also gets him to understand about giving…I like that!

Happy Holidays everyone!

OMG! i just realized for my post i put we have 6 kids ::::faints::::: Oh no!!! LOL! we only have 4. 6 in our house hold altogether….

I also forgot to mention that this year, we are not exchanging gifts with any of the nieces and nephews. We have 9 to buy for, times $20 each, so this is a substantial savings as well. I suggested that if they wanted to, they could purchase a gift that would have come to us, but to give it to a child in need instead. We did fill a shoebox for a needy child a couple of weeks ago, and the kids had a great time with that.

We have four children, and we are spending approximately $50-75 LESS per child this year, and we are not getting our traditional “family” gift. Last year, it was a Wii System, and we have gotten other large things, like a trampoline before. My husband and I are also spending only $50 each on each other where we would typically spend at least twice that much, or more.

I should also have mentioned that our family will be spending roughly the same amount on a child from the Angel tree program, as purchasing books through Toys for Tots. As our children get older, we aim to teach them more about the spirit of giving at Christmas, and also to help others throughout the year, not just during the Holidays.

Ashley – I think your question was meant for me. Check out HABA toys available at http://www.oompa.com or http://www.moolka.com. Some of their toys can be around $20 or higher and are great quality.

In the state of this economy, we’ve cut down drastically. we don’t eat out much anymore, we use to eat out maybe every other day.Now it’s once of twice a month. we fill our gas tanks and it lasts us for the week. and we grocery shop during sales. this years christmas will be a little tough,but each child will get 3 gifts each. we have 6 !!! my husbands bonus should help out alot.

We had to sign up for toys for tots this year just so our children will have presents to wake up to. I explained to my oldest two, 13 and 9 that they would only be getting presents from the program and not to expect anything fancy. My 9 year old actually told me, “Mom, since when is Christmas about what kind of presents we get? Christmas is good because it’s Christmas and we are together.” I had to go hide because he had me crying. They trully appreciate what they have. I would spend a ton on them if I could just because I know that they will appreciate it.

we spent about the same, but the kids ended up with more… because I started even earlier than usual (the end of september) and got what I could on ebay, craigslist, etc.

a 4.5yr old doesn’t care if the Polly Pockets she gets are brand new (though they look like they are)… she just cares she has gotten the toys she wants.

I got her a kitchen (new in open box) without the accessories (which I bought in lots on ebay separately for cheap) for FIVE DOLLARS.

But my boys didn’t get more bakugans because you can’t find them unless they are triple the regular price.

THey already have a bunch, and I’ve explained the reasoning… and that I’ll do those for their birthdays instead.

But my 8.5yr old is going to go nuts this year… he asked for ONE ninja turtle action figure – I got him 10 with a sewer “dollhouse”, the turtle van… all for under 20 bucks on ebay.

The boys wanted new Lincoln logs… I got them on ebay for less than half the price.

At the end of the day, i probably spent about 150-200 per kid, which is the usual amount, but they have more than they did last year.