What the 'average' family/household will spend for Christmas...

[Jace]

$975.

How does that 'work for you'?

Will YOU...won't you?

 

[Teacher Terry]

There was a time that I bought for 40 people. Now it’s just a few and I probably spent 100 total.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Actually, that seems low to me...but then again it is an average. Our average is zero. We don't celebrate Christmas since we are Muslims. I'm so glad to be out of the rat race of trying to figure out what to get people. It also involved going to different stores, which took up a lot of time.But when we were still Christians, online shopping wasn't popular like it is now. Eventually I started just giving the children money, but you can't do that with adults. Gift cards are now the thing.

 

[dilettante]

Well, good news everyone!

The annual gift tax exclusion is $17,000 for 2023. Nothing to declare for the giver or the recipient.

 

[Georgiagranny]

Guess I'm not average because the cash gifts I give come to more than that. Then there are the little stocking stuffer things. Eight people.

 

[hollydolly]

Guess I'm not average because the cash gifts I give come to more than that. Then there are the little stocking stuffer things. Eight people.

Did you remember to include mine ?

 

[dilettante]

More than $17K. Well hello Grandma! Your memory must be going, dear. Sure, I'm one of your kids.

 

[Georgiagranny]

Did you remember to include mine ?

Certainly, dear!

More than $17K. Well hello Grandma! Your memory must be going, dear. Sure, I'm one of your kids.

No, no, silly! More than the average $975 total.

 

[Buckeye]

Ordered a box of Peppermint Bark candy from Williams Sonoma on line. With tax and delivery it was about $40. I'm done.

 

[hearlady]

Actually, that seems low to me...but then again it is an average. Our average is zero. We don't celebrate Christmas since we are Muslims. I'm so glad to be out of the rat race of trying to figure out what to get people. It also involved going to different stores, which took up a lot of time.But when we were still Christians, online shopping wasn't popular like it is now. Eventually I started just giving the children money, but you can't do that with adults. Gift cards are now the thing.

It seems low to me too, as an average. I did well this year at keeping things sensible.
We are below that this year.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

It seems low to me too, as an average. I did well this year at keeping things sensible.
We are below that this year.

Good for you Hearlady. It's sad when people bust their budgets and go into deep debt after spending too much on gifts.

 

[birdy]

I think the number is in the ballpark. Maybe a bit low.

 

[Tom52]

We have spent over that average for gifts, most of it for daughter and her boyfriend. Food and decorations probably add another $500.

 

[hollydolly]

It seems low to me too, as an average. I did well this year at keeping things sensible.
We are below that this year.

I am definitely below that... waaaayyy below that..in fact I don't remember ever a time when I spent anything near that on Christmas gifts...

 

[hearlady]

I am definitely below that... waaaayyy below that..in fact I don't remember ever a time when I spent anything near that on Christmas gifts...

Yes. I think I'm counting food, travel, all holiday expenses.

 

[dilettante]

That's a lot of discarded one dollar winner scratch-offs!