[USER]

How’s everybody planning for a Christmas that doesn’t break the bank? I have 3 sons age 4 , 16, and 20 years old. I want to give them a great Christmas but I don’t want to hurt us financially for it. Tips!

I’m looking for advice on how to plan an affordable yet enjoyable Christmas for my three sons, who are 4, 16, and 20 years old.

I want to make sure the day feels special for each of them despite their different ages and interests, without overspending.

Any suggestions on how to manage gifts, activities, or traditions that can cater to these different age groups while staying within a reasonable budget?

I’d love to hear from parents or anyone with experience planning for various age ranges during the holidays.

What’s worked for you in balancing the excitement for a young child, a teenager, and an adult while being mindful of costs?

[Michelle]

I do 50 bucks per person in my household.

[Michele]

The best tip I ever got was when you’re at the store and have a few extra dollars to buy a gift card throughout the year.

Amazon/walmart/target even gaming system if you have kids that game like a Xbox or PlayStation card.

Just keep the cards in a old photo binder or folder and when the holidays come you can have should have a bunch of gift cards to buy everyone a gift, or even just give some of the cards as gifts themselves.

[Mona]

I’ve got a house on the beach reserved at the end of May 2025 for the kids/grandkids. So, for Christmas they are getting a description and pics of the place with the amenities listed with a save the date note instead of gifts.

We will have a nice meal together.

[Geneva]

1.Book to read or color. 2. Socks and underwear because they’re boys 3. Something personal

4. Group trip to something like a local arcade or movie or sport game (golf counts) – memories are important.

[Robin]

Draw names or agree to only give gifts to child-aged people.

[Shelley]

I always get something fun and wanted, but I fill the tree with clothes, their favorite snacks and toiletries.

They are things you will buy regardless, so wrap them up!

[Rachel]

Walmart has toys on sale every June or July. I used to do a cash envelope for Christmas every year starting in January.

[Jessica]

I’m changing my outlook as a mom of 3 boys as well. We’re heavy into experiences. I would also say, give them a life skill and some quality tools.

For instance, 16 year old wants a TV, get the TV with a wall mount kit and teach him how to do it.

20 year old says his room is hot, get a ceiling fan and the necessary tools to help him install it.

My boys are 5, 8 & 13, but we’re trying to teach them as much as we can! This is not just for boys.

These skills are for everyone around those ages!

[Kaula]

Groupon a local experience. We have done great wolf lodge for some birthday parties for less than 200 foe the whole family.

It’s 30 minutes from home so I bring our own food.

[Helen]

A lot of people use the ‘something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read’ rule to encourage focus.

Others might choose a present to be shared by the family.

Some might choose a gift card for older kids that they can use during the year as they wish, and perhaps information on how they can earn further over the year such as a range of chore options to encourage independence.

[Allison]

4 gift. Want. Need. Wear. Read. Maybe one family gift like a game. What we do.

[Nguyet]

Idk if this helps you this year, or if you don’t have any credit card balances (because this works if you don’t have to accrue and pay for interest).

But what I’ve done is use all (most) my reward cash from credit cards from the year, and cash out at Xmas.

Last year I paid nothing in Xmas presents. Planning on doing this year too.

[Sarah]

Lots of games, crafts, family time and cooking together. The memories of laughing and great conversations will last forever!

[Wendy]

Maybe a box for each, filled with pjs, mug, hot chocolate, a game/puzzle, book, cozy socks, a box of candy they like.

[Tiffany]

It may sound silly but I start way early and pick up things here and there and then tuck them away. I don’t have to spend a bunch of money at once and it’s easier on my budget.

When my kids were younger I started my back to school shopping as soon as summer break started.

I would pick up 2-3 things a week that I knew they would need like paper and supplies goes then only worry about clothes right before school started.

[Michele]

Yes, thrift afew needs. Always check clearance and market place. I found beautiful moccasin sleepers new or gently used with fur fur $8. I always get them a box of there favourite treat not to have to share.

My son it’s bear paws and my daughter it’s dark chocolate covered almonds. Watch for game systems used, they usually include a bunch of games.

Stop trading presents with adults, secret Santa with extended family instead of buying fir all nieces and nephews. Start shopping now and hide it in a tote or under your bed.

Socks, bedding, new pillows, things they need help fill the gap.

Little ones are easy dollar store, 20 yr old gets less, if in school maybe a gift card for food? CAA membership for car?

Clothes, most 20 yr old have more spending money then me

[Sarah]

We save little bits all year so it doesn’t come out of what we need every month. We usually have around 5k to spend.

We don’t always spend it, depends on what our kids need they are older so stuffs more expensive.

[Kendra]

I told my girls, straight up, to pick one present each, under $100 total all taxes in.

[LySette]

I used to shop year round. Came across something I knew a loved one would like and buy it. Shopped good sales all year.

By the time Christmas rolled around, most my shopping was done.

Need to get back to this. But the main 2 ppl I buy for now get picky and change their minds often.

Worked great when kids were younger and when I bought for more ppl like extended family and gift exchanges. If you can buy anything earlier in the year, do it.

Keep it all in 1 place. I put my yearly shopping with Christmas decor in totes so I had it all there come decorating time.

[Michelle]

Buy some now, then some next month. Get 1 or 2 wants, 1 need and stocking stuff is always needs, socks, tooth brush, upgraded hair brush, or combs, body spray, deodorant, favorite candies, gift card to fast food if they drive.

A cozy blanket, Ross has nice throw blankets. My kids feel they have nice Christmas’s age 22, 15, 13 and 13. 3 sons 1 girl.

There get 1 and 2 or usually electrics.

[Erika]

My kids are 15 and 20 and we have always done 1 bigger expense item that they really want (bigger expense is left to interpretation based on our finances at that time, some years more or less than others).

Then they get a bunch of smaller expense things I know they’ll love pr accessories for whatever their big gift was.

Last year our son got an occulus, some baseball stuff, funny ramen noodle bowl, and some model cars to build.

Our daughter got a kayak, life vest, oar straps, fuzzy socks, etc. I’d rather buy one item they love and have less to open than a whole bunch of little things that they like but aren’t wowed about.

We also did Disney one year when they were younger. I payed on it for months, we presented a box with balloons at Christmas but went in Feb.

Most of their gifts that year were items for our trip mixed with some less expensive toys and things they wanted.

[Laura]

Make Christmas cookies and a gingerbread house, look at lights.
Plan outings like movies, a trip to trampoline place, go karts, archery, bowling, escape room, top golf, mini golf, zoo/aquarium or even nice restaurant.

Legos. Expensive but even small sets are fun. I always do a new toothbrush and deodorant and hygiene products in their stocking. Yes, socks and underwear.

My boys like new wallet, hat/beanie, belts, Vans. Car air fresheners. Favorite snacks/candy.

Some fidget toys. New blankets/pillows/ bedding/help get their room in order! Sports equipment.

Keep in mind that the four year old doesn’t need much. They get excited over inexpensive/cheap stuff!

Or get practical/useful stuff-like gently-used rain boots with their favorite character.

I would focus more on the older 2.

[Toni]

A couple of big ticket items for the older ones. And multiple small ticket items for the 4 year old. Just little, simple things. Four year olds just want to open stuff up.

I used my local Buy Nothing group when my kiddo was little.

I got pirate ship, plastic dinosaurs and a plain bathtub toy…and I supplemented with a few octonauts and they were happy.

For a 4 year old, you can gift them old maps, magnifying glasses, binoculars and old/international coins and they will be thrilled.

Make the rest of the season about baking and movies. Cider and driving around to look at lights.

A fire in the backyard with Christmas music.

[Stacey]

Look at local places for Black Friday or cyber Monday deals. There’s a place here that sells gift cards for laser tag at half off (also good for their food).

I also go to thrift stores and pick up things. Sometimes brand new stuff!

[Tori]

I save up my CC cash back points all year to pay for pretty much 90% of my Christmas gifts, which I mostly buy on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and have shipped free with a one month free trial of prime

I agree experiences are a great option, but the reality is, you know your kids best. It’s hard to give too much advice when each kid is so different.

I will say, the traditions absolutely make Christmas for me.

The massive breakfast with fancy plate wear, opening stockings, reading the Christmas Bible story while having coffee and danishes (don’t worry, mine was mostly coffee flavored milk as a kid ) and then getting to the tree.

I loved the whole day being together, not just the stuff (which to be clear, I also loved ) which is exactly what I want to instill in my daughter.

Oh! I also loved candlelight caroling on Christmas Eve, followed by hot cocoa at home.

Christmas magic isn’t just about the presents

[Author]

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