Christmas spending can feel overwhelming. Over the past few days, I’ve heard from multiple parents that some are spending $500 per child on gifts. That feels astronomical to me.
Personally, I’ve set a budget of $100 per child — and I’m completely comfortable with it. Maybe that’ll change in the future, but for now, it feels right.
For some, $100 might feel low, but in our family, the kids will also receive separate gifts at their dad’s house and from both sets of grandparents. They’ll end up with plenty — they’re definitely not missing out.
This might be controversial, so I fully understand that not everyone will agree with me here.
🎥 VIDEO: Join me as I chat about my $100 per child Christmas budget in the video below. 👇
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Christmas Gift Budget Per Child
Why I Don’t Overindulge at Christmas
I honestly don’t think overindulging children with heaps of presents does them any favours. Giving so many items can foster a sense of entitlement, where children expect to receive mountains of stuff each year.
I feel like society has lost touch with the real meaning of Christmas — it’s become a mass consumption event that everyone feels pressure to participate in.
Year after year, it seems like the “acceptable amount” keeps growing. Parents worry their kids will feel left out if cousins and friends receive more.
And then there’s the added stress of Santa — personally, I think I would have treated Santa as a fun decoration rather than a figure to lie about. Managing multiple sets of presents adds unnecessary pressure at an already busy time of year.
Teaching Kids Freedom Over Consumption
One day, our kids will be adults, responsible for funding their own lifestyles. If they grow up used to constant consumption and feeling the need for more, they’re the ones who will struggle to keep up.
I want my kids to grow up free, not stuck in the rat race, working jobs they hate to support a materialistic lifestyle.
How I’m Budgeting $100 Per Child
This is obviously going to vary from household to household, depending on everyone’s situations and the ages of your children.
My approach is simple:
- I’ve sourced some secondhand gifts to stretch the $100 budget further
- I’ve bought a few things new
- The rest will be cash — which my teens actually prefer
This method keeps Christmas thoughtful, meaningful, and stress-free — without overspending or adding pressure.
What About You?
I’d love to hear what your budget per child is this Christmas. Is $500 the new norm? Am I being overly frugal with $100?
Share your thoughts — let’s start a conversation about keeping Christmas meaningful.
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