What do you think?

We spend (about) $100 on each kid (less when they are younger) for Christmas - and that includes their stockings. We all have stockings, and in those goes the junk type stuff - a bottle of drink, some lollies, a small pack of chips, a chocolate bar, an orange (family tradition) and two or three small ($2 shop) fun things. Everybody gets the same sort of bits and pieces.

For our kids, we get them one big present from us (last year Kiya got Good Morning Sunshine and Josiah got two or three age appropriate toys as he was only 7.5 months old). We also get them a bunch of smaller things as they are still at an age where quantity is what counts. Nikki - Kiya gets a box of chalk just about every year! She loves it!

Xavier isn't going to get much from us this year... he's not going to be more than 5 weeks old, and doesn't really need much! We're going to get him a nice outfit to wear on the day, and maybe something else. He will be grandchild #3 for my parents and #8 for Nat's parents... and all my aunts and uncles (and some of Nat's) buy for our kids too - their choice - so he'll get lots anyway.

We're kinda bad. We spend quite a bit on Christopher (9 years old) for Christmas and birthdays. At least $500 - probably closer to $800. And I don't really know how it happened. It just kinda evolved in to. In saying that though, he is not a spoilt brat and is incredibly grateful for even the smallest gift he gets from anyone. We have strived to make sure that he appreciates what he is given and understands that no matter what - someone went out shopping one day with him in mind and bought something that they thought he would like. He gets incredibly spoilt by everyone else on both sides of our families too. I know that its a lot of money but I think it depends on how its done and how you as a parent manage it.

Well I have to admit we go overboard but its mainly cos my hubby is a big kid himself. We buy one big present and supposedly lots of smaller ones but more often than not the smaller ones are about $30-50 each. Last year Kobe got a play house oops sorry I mean a work shed. THis year he is getting a leapfrog learning table which we got on sale for $100 and Ive spent the same on addison cos I figure she will be the right age for her present way before next christmas even if it is a bit big for her now. Then they both have other little things, addison has a learning puppy and some books and Kobe has a swing ball set, a truck and a few other wee things. so yeah we probably go over board but this will be the last year cos we sooooo cant afford it, specially now there are so many neices and nephews. I kind of figure birthdays are a bit more important cos thats thier day and also we arent at all religous so I have to say for our kids its all about the presents, sorry if that sounds very un PC but we arent religous and dont want to pretend we are just for one day.

Imagine their faces? imagine MY face! Although I must admit I am soooooo excited about seeing the boys open their preesnts. Don't really care about mine at all (my nana still gives me a big xmas parcel!!)