Failing Christmas?

I don't know how much I spent for Christmas last year, primarily because I didn't want to know, but I would guess around $2,000. Yes, 2K, and we were both students!

This year I have been pretty scrooge-ish compared to my normal, over-spending self, but I just had to crack down. It hurt me every time someone brought me some small, appropriate gift and I had nothing to give back, but we are broke, broke, broke and it had to be done.

I have spent a bit at the last minute, primarily because we chose not to go to my family's home in the snowy north. I bought almost nothing for my son, because he is always so inundated with family gifts, but my parents are total shyt at sending anything in the mail so I realized last week he only had 2 gifts. Two gifts -- for a 4, almost 5-year-old -- not cool. So, I hit the dollar section of Target as well as wrapping up some necessities like clothes, and even sprang for some more toys and such. All in all, I spent about $200 on him, but some of that was in semi-necessary stuff, like clothes. It was still too much, I think, but we'll see how it goes on Christmas day. My best buys were of course the first two gifts -- train paraphernalia for 60% off from the Amazon Friday sale (thanks to BostonGal for the link).

The final breakdown:
Sexy Husband: Total: $177.95. $40.00 for two sweaters, $27.99 for one pair of jeans, $25.96 for 4 pair cotton boxers (including humorous Christmas ones), $25.00 for 5 pair silk boxers (!), $16.39 for one Barenaked Ladies Christmas Album, $9.99 for a Japanese knife set with a bamboo cutting board, and $32.61 for an electric griddle (he likes to cook).

Sweet Boy: Total: $231.99. $60.00 for two virus train set pieces (at 60% off), $60.00 for three DVDs, $16.99 for a treasure chest DVD holder, $35.00 on clothing, $35.00 for stocking stuffers and $25.00 for a really cool pop-up book.

Sweet Girl: Total: $101.99. $20.00 for cool squishy toy, $14.99 for pea-in-the-pod dolly, $10.00 for stocking stuffers, $27.00 for Christmas dress/hat/tights, $40.00 in other toys I can't recall. :)

My husband also spent around $100.00 on gifts for his family, and we spent $75.00 on gifts for our nieces and nephews (their parents are pretty poor and we always try to give them a good Christmas). I spent $50.67 on a friend of mine (an unusual case -- I promised the gift in August) plus $35.00 for shipping. I spent $15.00 on Christmas hats and $20.00 on decorations this year. I also spent $45.00 on gifts for a Bolivian orphan that we sponsor. So let's see what my total is.

$177.95
$231.99
$101.99
$100.00
$75.00
$50.67
$35.00
$15.00
$20.00
$45.00
_______
$852.60

So, I guess I did better than last year, but much worse than my goal of spending less than $500.00 on Christmas this year. However, we did save about $450.00 in traveling expenses by not going to my parents, so if we factor that in I am $100 under. :)

My goal for next year: making a list and checking it twice, making your gifts is cheaper and nice, Saving my money for a night out on the town...

Sorry for the cheese.