I don't have my budget in front of me but we budgeted about $300 for Christmas. I think it will be closer to $430, but that is okay.

Done:
Everyone's gifts but dh's dad. Stocking stuffers done. Skipping christmas cards this year.

$200 spent ($100 in oct & $100 in nov).

This month:
work gift exchange - $20
work dinner - $50
boss gift - $45
(yeah work is pricey but it pays all my bills so I deal. I'll get a bonus to pay for it all - just about - LOL).
Gardener - $20

Total left = $135

+$200 spent = $335.

That is right about budget BUT dh wants to get a super nice gift for his dad - $130 is the best deal he found - a DVD recorder or something. Since his parents took us to HAwaii and gave us $3k this year, um yeah, he deserves it.

$335 + $130 = $465.

We are over around $100 or so with the gift - I am ballparking because I forget the exact budget. BUT that is how much he will make on his wii. The Wiis are selling well. We can be greedy and try to gouge the last minute christmas shoppers, but I think it would be good to sell it this weekend and get a pretty sure $100 profit.

$465 christmas = Gifts for preschool teacher, gardener, co-worker, boss, niece, sister... for the kids, great-grandma, my parents (includes birthdays) $200 of it on dh's parents (includes 1 birthday).

Yup, we did well. I don't expect much more expense this year. We'll see what happens. We have 2 christmas parties this weekend (no gift exchanges for once - phew). & most of our christmas will be done. Until the big day I guess. I don't even have that much left to wrap.

We went over on the kids budget. Budgeted $30 each and spent $90 total - $40 & $50. Oh well. We did stick to the "1 gift" rule. Thus far. IT was an improvement. When I evaluate our christmas bounty I Am sure we will send some of it to charity too. Dh slashed it out of the budget, but I think we will have some room. IF he sells his Wii anyway! IF we give some money probably make it a round $500 TOTAL spent on Christmas. We will go through and donate items throughout the house too. I think we have a LOT of toys to donate this year. Phew.

$500 spread over 4 months (some of it I don't have to pay until january) is not bad. An easy christmas.

Dh and I did not get each other gifts but we are cool with that. We don't need anything. But more cash in the e-fund anyway - we can both agree on that!!

I habe no idea what we spent last year but we bought each other a laptop for $800. A good purchase overall - he uses for business and it makes my life 1000 times easier. But that was way above out current budget even. I Was buying $30 gifts easy for everyone - birthday AND christmas. This year we stuck to more $15 gifts. We didn't buy less stuff, just found better deals. I Am really pleased. For whatever reason, I always shop frugal for myself and shop completely opposite for others. IT was pretty rewardinf to have a $15 budget for my niece and for to find 2 of the cutest outfits on clearance and a tiara and a little wand for $1 each. Right on budget and at face value I bought her more than usual spending 1/2 as much. Found my mom and sister some really nice gifts on ebay. Cheap cheap cheap. I have changed my outlook on gift giving. I think it will save us a lot of money next year. & the Dollar Store is more of a treasure than I ever realized. Piles of books and cars and toys for the stockings. I went a little overboard - hehe. But the kid made out well for $10 or so. But I also learned I can spend $5 on a kids birthday and still look generous.

I have no idea why I would be scared to be a frugal shopper for others. Looking back it seems pretty silly. I am officially REFORMED.