I was reading the other post about how much we all spend on Christmas and I was surprised at how much people spend per child!

I wondered if it was because my dd is only 3 and really doesn't care what she gets...

I understand older kids want more expensive things but what are you all buying for the young ones (under 11 or 12) that costs so much?

I need to know what I am in for when dd gets older!

you are in for a future of very particular tastes. lol!

not to say that my kids are spoiled rotten and snobs about what they get, but around the age of 4 or 5, the days of picking of the random7.99 baby doll or whatever game or toy was on the Target 90% off clearance was over.

They had strong ideas of what they liked ( hated bratz, loved myscenes.) hated anything angel or princess. Liked outdoor toys. Loved art kits, didn't care about play-dough.

around 9 or so they started asking for specific music cd's video games, a certain sweatshirt, book, or art supply. When I used to be able to pick up a cheap art kit at the craft store, now they wanted that certain learn to knit set complete with needles and fru-fru yarn.

The first 4 years are the most frugal and affordable you will ever have for christmas gifts. Our first christmas, well.. I didn't buy anything! baby was 6 months old, and grandma sent some presents.

Neither of my kids have ever really 'wanted' anything...it's just not their personality. They never ask for anything, never see a commercial and say "oh gosh I want that!". Perhaps they're odd? LOL So gift buying for them can be really hard sometimes!

My 2 at home want everything! They are 6 and 16 this month , they get so much already though. I told dh this year at the most $100 per child. Which mind you I am always the one to break this. I give my older 2 the cash. DSD wants Hannah Montana tickets her bday is the 16th, they are scalping them here for about $1300. for anywhere close to eyeview, nose bleeds are $3oo. There is no way! This is rediculous for kids who want to see her.

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Emma has always been very particular, She will pick one "category" say Littlest Pet shop last christmas, so I go crazy and buy every littlest pet shop thing I can find, and a week or two later she doesn't touch it, Presley loves Elmo, anything and everything elmo.....I am a compulsive shopper..can't help it but this year I'm doing things we can actually use like a elmo potty chair for presley and an mp3 player for emma........I have been down the road of buying the coolest latest things and they never touch it again so I am hoping this year maybe just maybe I can shop better!!

in response to the Hannah Montana tickets, the prices are HORRIBLE!! even at the box office here they were around $75 per ticket, I would love to take both girls (6 and 18mths) both of them LOVE LOVE LOVE Hannah Montana but there's no way unless you're trump or maybe even Billy Ray Cyrus to afford these prices!! Off subject I wanted to do Sesame Street live, $60 per ticket!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy, don't get me started on Tickets to concerts...they are terrible....

As far as being pickey, my son knows what he wants and when he wants it. He is 4. Problem is, he wants everything...lol

at the age of two both my boys started asking for paticular things they already know what they are asking santa for and it has been the same items for the last 6 months. my boys are 3 and 6. now dd who is 1 does not get excited about anything girl like lol she loves a truck(can you tell she has older brothers) now she is fascinated by carebears all of a sudden so we may get her something like that.

i guess i would say some kids love paticular things like my boys and some are never really like that my sisters daughter could care less she likes anything you get her it really just depends on the kid.

let me start by anwsering this thread..

Around 2 my youngest one started telling me what she likes. My older one didn't know you could do that till near 4..

Hannah Montana tickets are $56 at the box office.. It's her set price.. Any thing over that is not through the fan club or a box office.

I joind the fan club with another mom. Total cost $30... I bought 4 tickets through the fan club the morning of presale. $56 each.. We are 2nd section from stage on the side, row C. Those are awsome tickets.. And all I did was long on and enter the pre sale code.

We all pay for the things we want. We all have different down falls. I don't smoke or drink. I don't splurge on toys or clothes. We don't go to the movies, we don't do disney on ice. But YES I DID pay for Hannah Montana tickets.. Are they for Christmas, NO. At her age how can she comprehend it.. It's something fun she and I and the other mom and daughter are doing for fun.. Once in a life time...

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

My daughter is 9 and I hate to tell it, but I always just get things she "needs" for Christmas. We have shared a bathroom until this past year so she needed a hair dryer.....I got her one. We also go with a puzzle or family game and an ornament. That way, we are giving her a gift of family time as well throughout the year. The ornament thing I think is neat too. I always buy a year ahead from Hallmark when they are on markdown. We write a sweet note on the cards inside each box. When she moves out and has a Christmas Tree of her own, she will have at least 20 ornaments with special memories.
We usually let the granparents get the outrageous expensive gifts and I stick to the necessities.