What is your total Christmas gift budget?

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deleted3782

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I've spent $40 on a few books for my neice and nephew. I was able to use an old gift certificate I found from 2004.

I think that will about do it for me.
 

voyeuristic

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I decided not to stop celebrating Christmas a decade or so ago and let my family and friends know. My reason? I'm not Christian, and I'm not into mandated consumerism. Sure, I could make homemade gifts, but I do that for my friends all year anyway - why feel compelled to do it on a particular day when I may not be inspired? At first the people in my life didn't take my "no presents" request seriously and bought me gifts anyway, but after a year of two sans reciprocation, they got the hint. Makes for a stress-free season!
 

prepstudinsc

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the more you spend on someone the more it shows you care. but nobody needs to know my budget for presents.

Honestly, I'm not sure why most people wait until the holidays to give presents. I like to give treats to my friends all year long. If I see something that I know one of my friends would like, I will buy it and give it to them. It could be a book, a shirt, or sometimes just treating them to a nice dinner.

I love to give presents and at the holidays, it's my chance to spoil people, but I wouldn't say that the more you spend it means you care more. Just because I can afford to spend several hundred dollars on someone doesn't mean that I like them more. What if I could only spend $20 on a person, that wouldn't mean that I didn't like them, it could very possibly mean I could only afford $20. Amount of money shouldn't be associated with amount of like of a person.
 
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deleted3782

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I wouldn't say that the more you spend it means you care more.

Yes, I think we all got over that mentality in the Big 80s. :tongue: Whether I bought my family and friends presents worth $1 or $1,000, or no presents at all...it has no bearing on my feelings for them.
 

Rikter8

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Around $60 per person. Im buying for 4 people.

Mom's gift was the most expensive, but it was a necessity. I bought a $200 microwave since hers turns on in the middle of the night and throws sparks....and she STILL uses it.
I plan on using it as target practice when I go up there to make SURE she NEVER plugs it in again.

Other than that...small things.

Too uncertain here. They're talking lay offs for christmas, possibly plant closures, and permanent lay offs. Our state isn't the best right now to be spending big bucks.
Lots of deals...but the sensible people are afraid to spend that dollar.
 

Drifterwood

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I'll be giving quite a lot this Christmas. I have had a good year financially and I will be working very hard to do the same next even though things look very tough. I almost feel a responsibility to go and spend money with businesses that I like and people I like. I don't want to see them go out of business. I'm not saying that my budget will keep them going :rolleyes:, but I don't think we should stay at home and not spend if we can afford to. I live in quite a small community and hard times are personal.