How Much Money to Spend on Birthday/Christmas

It's amazing how many generous people love your little ones and will give a small gift for Christmas, and if you have a family birthday party there will be several gifts. They won't remember who gave them what.

I remember a little saying that I am going to use this year - something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read. 4 gifts that are meaningful can mean a lot more than 20 things to be forgotten!

Also, after they get all of their gifts, only let them take out a few new ones. Save the rest in a closet for a rainy day, a tough time, a trip...so there are new things throughout the year. It also makes it less overwhelming to have too much stuff at one time.

I have a poem/saying that I use to keep me in check for birthdays..
Something they Want, Something they Need, Something to Watch Something to Read.
Works well for me. This usually equates to 1. a movie, or toy that moves, 2. somethings they have been asking for, 3. something they need that I want to give them, 4. and a book. Its the perfect amount of gifts.
For Christmas, I use the same poem, in addition to stocking suffers and a few gifts for the family or all the kids together.
This just helps me not to go overboard!
Hope this helps
E.

I third the idea of something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. It works great for Christmas! For their birthday, I get them ONE thing that they really want - they will get enough other things if you throw them a party.

My good friend's daughter was born in the middle of December. They DO have a party for her (sometimes even earlier in the month to get it before all of the holiday chaos). They also put the majority of her gifts away in the closet - they pull one gift out every month or so (it has to last all year because birthday and Christmas hit all at once). We do this also for my children who have January and February birthdays.

For our budget, we do $100 for a birthday (including the party - I know, it can be hard but they aren't going to remember how much $$ you spent) and $75-$100 for Christmas (within the 4 gifts things). Between grandparents and cousins, we get plenty!

How much money depends on how much you have. It is fun to see them open something they really, really love. And that's the real joy of giving presents to your kids. You need to set a realistic monetary amount (especially since they both have birthdays so close to Christmas) and as you set that amount remember that you set expectations when they are small. You don't want to overwhelm them and you don't want them to be expecting extravagence as they get older. Good luck!

Now that my kids are older, and what they want tends to be more expensive, I buy them one big gift for them only, a book or game, some clothing item I know they will like, and 2 presents that whole whole family share. It's enough. With your children being so small, they don't need much. And IMO, if you don't spoil them with tons of gifts as a wee one, they won't be disappointed when they are older and don't see a million gifts under the tree.

Also, Both of my oldest children's birthdays are 2 weeks apart. When they were young we would combine the two and it was fine. Once my daughter was in school she wanted her own birthday with just her friends. So we keep doing the combined birthday with family, but they have separate friend birthdays where they are able to invite 4 friends to do a special activity...like movies or horse back riding. I also take each child out to a movie or pick them up from school for lunch. That is their birthday present, and they love it. It's better than loading them up with gifts they might or might not use.

I know these are things to consider as your children are older, but I hope you find this helpful none the less.