In the past year I separated out gifts as a separate column in my budget. I was shocked to learn that I spend more than twice as much on gifts in a year then we do all year on clothing for all 4 of us.. and that doesn't count gifts for for the kids (I have that under the 'kids' category) or Christmas! (another category)

Both dh and I come from very large extended families. It seems every week we're out buying another wedding gift or baby gift or birthday gift. And then there the the kid's birthday parties and friend's babies and birthdays. I spend about $20- $25 a gift and we're buying at least one gift a week for someone (on average). It surprises me but I don't plan on changing. One of our family values is generosity and I'd rather spend it on someone else. I like giving. I just had no idea it added up to so much over time.

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It really just depends...I probably spend about $30 on birthday gifts for all family. Christmas, we probably spend $50 or more per person - just depends on what I find etc.

We spend $25/person max. For Christmas we try to do couple gifts for our parents so we can get something nice for them but spend less.

I was just thinking about this because DS has a lot of friend parties coming up. For birthdays, I generally spend 15.00 on kid's gifts if they are non relative (DS' friends). If the child is a family member, I tend to go more in the 25.00-30.00 range. For adult birthdays, we usually do 30.00-50.00 but only give to grandparents and DH's sister. We just send a card to my siblings.

For Christmas, I budget 25-30 per person for extended family and friends.

I am trying to get better about stocking up on kid's gifts when I see a sale or good deal.

My question is (and maybe this is a whole new thread) is how much do you spend to wrap the gift? Cards are so outrageous now, it seems it costs at least 5.00 to wrap the gift and get a card.

My question is (and maybe this is a whole new thread) is how much do you spend to wrap the gift? Cards are so outrageous now, it seems it costs at least 5.00 to wrap the gift and get a card.[/quote]

Try having the kids make cards, or you can pick up a few for 48 cents at WM (for those of you not protesting!!). Also, wrapping in just tissue paper can be cheap and add a bow or stickers or something for a kids gift... HTH!

Am I the only one who does not have set amounts to spend? I get a nice gift as cheap as I possibly can. Sometimes it is $2 other times it is $30. I do spend more on my kids than anyone else though.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I don't mind spending on the gifts - the gift bags are what freaks me out. There is nothing cheaper than 3.99.

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And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil:4:7

The only bags I ever use are ones that people have given us gifts in. Otherwise I wrap everything. You can buy paper really cheaply at dollar type stores.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Dollar tree and family dollar have nice bags for $1. Thats what I do or I reuse bags.

For gifts I spend $10 each for birthdays for the kids friends or nieces and nephews. I don't generally exchange b-day gifts for adults just a card.

For Christmas I spend $10 each on friends and family members but we don't exchange with everyone because we both come from large families. So basically our parents and our best friends. Everyone else gets yummy cookies and breads dh and I bake at Christmas time.

For our kids we budget $100 each for birthdays and that includes the cost of the party. For Christmas we budget $150 each. Dh and I don't exchange gifts.

I forgot to add for weddings we give $75 and for baby showers, baptisms, first communions, wedding showers ect. we have a $20 limit on the gift.

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We're not a 'card' family...so I really don't have to buy them very often and when I do, I buy the really cheap ones (I spend less than $1 each). I just think cards are kinda silly in general - JMO. So I'm not going to spend $3 on a card. I'm just not.

For the holidays, I buy all my paper when it's 75% or 90% off at Target. For birthdays, I usually use a brown paper gift bag (I get them in big packs on sale) and tissue paper (again, I never pay full price). Sometimes I have a paper that I bought during holiday clearance that works for birthdays during the year. I don't ever buy baby specific or wedding specific paper or anything like that.