December 2025 Feedback
Happy holiday season! December is notorious for being a gift-filled time of year, with kids tearing through wrapping paper to reveal toys and big smiles. The old saying “‘Tis better to give than receive” can truly reign true when the perfect gift is found for someone. But grabbing a little something for everyone special can add up big time. The financial burden can stack up, and nobody wants to start a new year with unexpected debt. This got us thinking…
How do you keep your holiday spending in check? Place a budget per person? Set a gift limit? OR do you go wild and say, “What budget?”
“My family abides by the want, need, wear, read strategy for our kids. They each get something they have been wanting for a while- like a toy or game, something they need- like stuff for sports or cheer, something to wear- I usually splurge on one new name brand outfit with shoes and then something to read- I usually do like five books each.”
-Kayla P.
“Each night of Hanukkah we do one gift for each kid. We like to do books, toys, games, a membership somewhere, toys, candy, pjs and a gift card somewhere they like.”
-Michala R.
“For our big family gathering, we do White Elephant and set the budget for $30. No one feels pressured to buy a gift for every single person in our extended family, so it takes a lot of the stress off of the holidays. We still do presents at our house in the morning, which we usually do pretty big, like 10 gifts per kid.”
-Megan J.
“We like to plan a trip over the holidays. The vacation is our gift and I let my kids get souvenirs to remember our time together. This year is our first time doing Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and we are so excited. ”
-Layla M.
“I save my Fetch, Ibotta, Shopkick, Receipt Hog, and Receipt Pal money and rewards all year for Christmas—it’s a couple hundred dollars each year that saves me on a lot of out of pocket costs. I also go to Dollar Tree for wrapping paper, tape, glue sticks, holiday cards and envelopes.”
-C.J. J.
“My kids get to pick out a gift for each of their two siblings. I pick one gift per kid, and my husband picks one gift per kid. So four gifts per child, plus their stockings which are usually some candy, small toys and then stuff they need like a new toothbrush, flossers and socks.”
-Sarah B.
“My kids are 3 and 4 1/2, and every time they open gifts, they just want to play with whatever they open first and kind of forget that they are opening presents. So for them, it isn’t about the quantity. They just want to play. This year I am buying each of them one big gift to play with that I know they will love, and the rest will be stuff that they can use all year like art supplies, games, bath toys and puzzles.”
-Laura R.
“I have a budget, and I stick to it. I also am really good at finding deals. Sometimes I will see something on sale in July and I will buy it for someone to give to them in December for Christmas.”
-Erica S.
“I am giving my kids the Christmas my parents couldn’t afford to give me. Budget, who?”
-Raina C.
“My family doesn’t celebrate any holidays in December, but we do a yes day for my son and daughter instead so they don’t feel left out. It isn’t anything super expensive. Just an activity, meal and usually a toy.”
-Liz R.
