I always use my November PC pays (the 22nd and Dec 8) for Christmas...have been doing this for 5 years...this year, however, we have fallen behind on a few bills and when we get paid next week (my biggest pay until Jan I think) that money would pull us out of our hole and get us back on track. I am SOOOO not wanting to use this money for anything other than gifts. BUT, I want to be able to sleep at night knowing that we are not behind on things for a while. We usually give our kids the "Rockefeller Christmas" as I like to call it. We always buy lots for our family, etc. I ENJOY it, it is the one time out of the year that I can truly spoil everyone and I DON"T feel guilty over it.
The other day I made up my mind to take what I had and pay us first and whatever is left, use that for small gifts for the kids and buy a few things for my parents and in laws. I am struggling with this though and I don't know why! I will have a small check on the 8th, maybe about $150 to finish up and get some stocking stuffers.
How do you guys handle gifts for your kids? Quantity? Do you have a "set budget" for them? I feel if I can get them 10 smaller things at $5-$15 a piece that is going to be ok because they will feel like they had enough to open...I already told our 12 yr old not to expect a whole lot (he is my step so he gets gifts from tons of relatives so I dont feel so bad) but my 4 yr old (almost 5) only usually gets from us and my parents and just a little bit from my dh's side.
I don't know, am I being ridiculous? I've just never had to use my Nov pays for bills before and it's killing me!