How much to spend on niece/nephew?

sarcole530

How much does everyone spend on their nieces and nephews for Christmas? My DH and I have four nieces and nephews, so we don't like to go hog wild on them, but want to get them something "nice." They are at the age where they ask for things like an ipod, cell phone, guitar, etc. Things that are just too expensive... any suggestions?

BeckyOff

We send something small (fun jewelry, lip gloss, a book) and some cash.  That way they have something to open and something they actually want.

getitdone

I know exactly how you feel. I have 5 nephews and a niece. We spend about $25-30 on each of them.

alorav21

Cash or gift cards are always appreciated by teens and young teens. I'm 20 and I would still prefer if my family gave me cash or gift cards, mostly because I'm a shopaholic For girls I like to get a cheap/cute wallet and then put a gift card in it. Or you can do a little gift bag with candy and a card/cash. Gift cards dont have to be expensive either, $20 can either go towards the big items they want or get them something little.

FutureMrsDrew73110

This year we are splurging a bit and spending around $50 each. This is because they are both(ages 3 & 4 months) getting a blanket I made for each of them and we are getting them a year long pass to the local Zoo.

Mashara

This year it's $20-$30 for us.

$30 Niece 1 = Two pendants from Etsy, Twilight something (poster?)

$25 Niece 2 = Nice dress up barrettes, assorted hair ties, hair bands and clips, and DIY ribbon bows from me

$25 Nephew 1 = Two gladiator costumes (weapons, shields, and breastplates from dollar store and Target, DIY capes and gauntlets from me)

If they already have something like an ipod, you can always get them something small along with an itunes gift card for $20

 

MrsLynch0516

sarcole530:

How much does everyone spend on their nieces and nephews for Christmas? My DH and I have four nieces and nephews, so we don't like to go hog wild on them, but want to get them something "nice." They are at the age where they ask for things like an ipod, cell phone, guitar, etc. Things that are just too expensive... any suggestions?

 

Talk to the parents, if they have or are getting an ipod, and iTunes gift card would be great! Or some picks and music books, to go with a guitar would be good.

hillysuze

I'm going to be an aunt for the first time in April but plan on getting  a few little things for the baby for Christmas. I expect to spend about $25.00 on Steeler onesie at Walmart and maybe another 20 for other cute baby things.

tiffanysbride

DH has a big family and this is the first year other people will have kids. That said we all decided that family gifts were going to be the norm once people started having more kids. Something like a board game, video game, movie, family gift certs for an activity, etc. The thinking is for now everyone will keep it around $25 per family.

trigal

We have eight nieces and nephews, all on my side, and no children ourselves.  The kids actually all pick names and get gifts for one another.  Since we are not involved in this gift exchange, DH and I buy them all a small gift card to Toys R Us or Borders or Target.  We spend about $10 per kid.  Once we have a child (well, if we have a child), he/she will be part of the gift exchange.

sarcole530

The gift cards are a great idea. The only sad thing, and this is the truth.. is that their mom will probably spend it on herself.

amymay111309

Pick which one is the cutest (ahem...see siggy pic below) and spend the most on that one.  LOL!  Kidding. 

I think $25 is more than enough.  I think I spent around $30 on Bryce last year, but that was because he's my only nephew and I didn't have a kid at the time.

jenniann87

My boyfriend has 1 niece and 4 nephews and I have 1 niece and 1 nephew. We plan on spending about $30 on each.

katieranck2202

We have too many nieces and nephews (total of 13 and 1 on the way) to not budget, so they normally only get $25 at Christmas.

julybride08

As others have mentioned due to the economy money is tight. We have 7 kids we have to shop for, so at $20.00 each it adds up. I am shooting to try to find gifts for $10 or under that are still nice. It is a mission that I really want to accomplish.

kjewell

we spend no more then $15.  Between the 2 of us we have 10 nieces and nephews so any more then that it would get really expensive.

MrsStubbs

FutureMrsDrew73110:

This year we are splurging a bit and spending around $50 each. This is because they are both(ages 3 & 4 months) getting a blanket I made for each of them and we are getting them a year long pass to the local Zoo.

The zoo pass is an awesome idea!

 

pinkpowerranger

I have 6 nephews and 2 nieces and I have no clue anymore.  I guess my siblings were all tired of buying everyone else gifts every Christmas, so the kids are going to start picking names for the kids.  Since we have no kids yet, they think it's fair that we still buy all their kids something

I think we may get each of them a pair of socks.

hilarios

We have a total of 8 kids to buy for.  I shop clearance sections during the summer/fall and find cute activity books (requested by one) and craft kits for $7-13.  The majority of them are so young that they have no concept of money and as long as the gift is fun, it doesn't matter the price and I could give a flying F what the parents think because I won't be having kids and I figure between birthdays/holidays/events, I will spend over $2,000 on each kid before they turn 18.

HOLLYMAR87

15-30 dollars. Last year we got my 3 year old nephews Big Buck Hunter and for the other one a remote control police car (his dad is in law enforcment) and for the other two just baby toys since they were still pretty young.

Leave the big stuff like I-pods and guitars for their parents to buy (or Santa)

octoberwed2008

Well, I am totally guilty of going completely overboard. Also, as some controversy may come from this, I have two nieces one from DH's side and one on my side. My niece (unfortunately) doesn't take care of anything and you can't even open her closet because everything that anyone has given her is on the floor in her closet and in a huge mess. My brother does nothing to teach her how to treat things and is not appreciative of anything. Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly but it makes it hard to want to spend a lot when I know it will get trashed. I usually spend about 20 to 25 dollars on her for Christmas. Now, DH's niece CHERISHES things. Her room is spotless, she says thank you a million times for things and dolls that we gave her years ago are still perfect even though she plays with them constantly. So we usually go a little nuts with her. She loves American Girl dolls and I love buying them for her so she usually gets a new one every Christmas from us. If you know those dolls they are like 100 bucks. I feel a little guilty about it but she really loves and takes care of them and my niece barely looks at you when she opens her gift. Wow, how'd I get into this long description, sorry.

meggie80

We have 3 and we spend about $25-$30 on each.

leighanneh

Well, I have two nephews and a niece and spend about $50-75 each on them, but this year, we'll have to cut back some. The oldest is now 12, so $50 doesn't seem like a lot for gifts for him and I have no idea what to get him. I normally get him clothes, books, legos, RC cars, etc. The other two are super easy to shop for because they are much younger, but with the oldest, we're going to have to get creative this year.

lmspharmd

We spend the same as any other member of the family. We spend $50/person.