Yes. My dh has a christmas fund through work, so at the beginning of November, he can get all of that money. We stay w/in that amount. We used to go over somewhat, but that was when I was working, now we HAVE to stay w/in that amount!

I put yes before I saw the special account option...Every paycheck money goes into a "Christmas' account I have set aside. There is no scrambling to 'find' the money or worse ;rely on a credit card anfd then stress out about how to pay it off.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass~ It's about learning to dance in the Rain

As I stated above, we have a weekly amount that goes into our holiday club. But what I do when Xmas shopping is use my Upromise credit card and pay it off. That way I'm getting the Upromise benefits and earning a bit more interest on my holiday $$

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MyHotComments

We don't really have many people to buy for so that helps. I try to keep Emilys under control. It is hard since she is and will be my only. We generally spend around 250 on family, 100 on each other, and around 250-300 on Emily (way too much). This year I spent 325 on her but I had 125 in gc and her bday is in Jan so I bought for both.

We have a budget, but can usually come in under!

100 for my parents
50 each for DH's parents
40 each for his grandma's
40 for DH's ex-stem-mom
25 each for the 2 older nieces (they usually get gift cards)
20 each for all the other nieces & nephews

I usually spend all 100 on my parents since my 3 sisters and I go in together - we spend every last penny! But they do so much for us (babysitting, fixing things, etc) that they deserve it!

For everyone else we generally come in under budget!! These numbers are my TOP dollar amounts!

Then there's my boys! I'm trying to keep it to 3 toys each from us, 1 toy from Santa plus stocking stuffers! That budget is ABOUT 75 per kid, but it's just an estimate! I try to get them things I think they'll enjoy but get them as cheap as I can! For my youngest ds I probably only spent 40 for everything! For my older 2, they probably got around 75!

DH and I just get stockings generally! Mostly deodorants, toothbrushes, etc so I don't really care how much I spend there - it's all money I'd be spending anyway!!

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I don't have a budget as such but I put a limit/budget on each persons presents e.g. $50 each for my parents, $30 each for my sisters 4 kids, $50 each for DH and I.

That way it is more fairer and easier to buy gifts.

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Melanie.
Mum to Lillianlee- 1st September 2006.

Monkey Mia's Savings... (my blog)

We just spend wisely each year. Not really have a budget. We didn't want to spend anything at all this year as we want to be as frugal as possible and use what we have here. Since I do have a talent of sewing and crafting and TONS of supplies.

BUT last year we spent $300. This year we spent just a lil over $100. That's not including all my fabric purchases and what not to make things. So I'm gonna say we're pretty close to the same HOWEVER I'll have tons of supplies and fabric left from making gifts..so really it's pretty close to breaking even..but it's mama made!! AND I'll have plenty of fabric and supplies for other holiday's and birthdays

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Happily married to my geek
Proud homeschooling, cloth diaperin, attached parenting, slinging, simplier, breastfeedin, sewing mama mades, christian and funky mama to my precious daughters and expecting a little BOY in February