How Many Presents Should a Child Get for Christmas? (2024)
There’s nothing quite like Christmas morning. From the sound of crinkled paper to the smell of cinnamon rolls and (of course) coffee, the wee hours of the day are something special. Many parents treasure these moments, even if they are bleary-eyed and sleep deprived. But what kids are on the lookout for are presents. Every child wants to see gifts under the tree because, as Mariah Carey puts it, “it’s the best time of year for the family.” But can you overdo it? Can there really be too much of a good thing?
According to the experts, yes. Overgifting, particularly at the holidays, is common. “Overgifting can be a real issue,” says Mark Joseph, a father and the founder of Parental Queries. “It may lead to children becoming overly materialistic and expecting too much from gift-giving occasions.” It can also lead to a lack of appreciation. Many children feel entitled, he adds.
So how many presents should a child get for Christmas? What is the appropriate amount? Well, it depends on numerous factors.
“Gifting will look different for each family, depending on various things, including family size and budget,” says Elanna Yalow, Ph.D., an educational psychologist and chief academic officer at KinderCare Learning Companies. “You may not be able—or willing—to buy the latest and greatest toys for your child. Consider your personal values and be realistic about what you can afford,” she adds. “You may also want to make a list with your child about what they want and prioritize it based on your child’s interest—and your judgment.”
“When it comes to gift-giving, moderation is key,” Joseph adds. “Quality is always better than quantity. Your child doesn't need 20 presents to be happy; a couple of thoughtful, well-chosen gifts will do just fine.”
Of course, parents have varying opinions. Some follow the “rule of three.” This means that a child gets three presents, one for each gift baby Jesus received. Others believe in four: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. And some follow other guidelines entirely. In my family, for example, we set a budget and go from there—and many families do the same. According to a November 2022 study, most parents are budgeting $220 for each child—with the highest budgets for 7 to 12-year-olds, though 28% of those surveyed are trying to keep it below $100.
The gift of experience is also a popular alternative, with many families now opting to take their children to shows, performances, concerts, and/or on trips.
So how do you decide what is right for you and your family? According to Dr. Yalow, the first thing you should do is to set limits around holiday gift giving. Figure out what is reasonable and doable. Make a budget—or plan, depending on your family’s tradition—and stick to it.
“Really think about what will work for your family and what you want the holidays to be about for your children,” she says. Be realistic and, if your children are older, explain your position.
“Staying within your budget will ensure you don't overspend or over-indulge in buying gifts for your children,” adds Joseph. “Considering your children's ages and interests will also narrow down your choices and help you select the right gift.”
That said, it’s important to note that you should let your child dream big. Dr. Yalow says kids of all ages should be encouraged to put whatever they want on their wishlist—and they should add it whenever they find it. If your child spots a toy they like at the grocery store, for example, it should go on a year-round list. The reason? Time breeds perspective. It will reveal what they truly desire.
In the meantime, remember to be present and breathe. Sure, you want your children to be happy, but happiness cannot be bought. It is moments and memories which breed contentment, not things. So do what you can with what you have, and enjoy the day. Your way. No pressures or stressors.
There is no magic number but the general consensus seems to be between three gifts potentially up to around five. There will be many factors that contribute to this decisions; how many children you have, presents other family members may buy, how old your children are and, of course, budget.
Your child doesn't need 20 presents to be happy; a couple of thoughtful, well-chosen gifts will do just fine.” Of course, parents have varying opinions. Some follow the “rule of three.” This means that a child gets three presents, one for each gift baby Jesus received.
Want to know more about the 7 gifts rule? It's where you stick to a budget and buy your loved one (or yourself – no judgement here) a set number of gifts. Each present falls into a different category, and by the 24th; you'll have 7 gifts for them to unwrap.
Try to shoot for around 10-20 items. For example, let's say you have really wanted a digital camera for the past two years. That's something to keep on the list.
These include something to give others, something to do for others, a toy to play with the family, something to make, and footwear. The ten-gift rule is perfect if you only have one child to shop for as these can be smaller gifts with a wide variety of different presents.
Meanwhile, 35% of parents plan to spend between $50 and $150 per kid, while 12% are budgeting between $150 and $200. Just 19% of American parents say they'll spend more than $200 on each child's gifts. 11% responded that they weren't yet sure on how much they would be forking out for festive gifts.
What is the five gift rule? In the five gift rule, the first four gifts are pretty straightforward - something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Then, the last gift is where you can really have fun. The fifth gift is something they didn't know they wanted.
It would cost an estimated $46,729.86 to purchase all 78 gifts from the classic English carol, according to PNC Financial Services' 2023 Christmas Price Index, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American plans to spend $826 in 2022 on Christmas gifts, food, and decorations. Of that $826 dollars, around 500 are spent on gifts for family members.
Financial experts often recommend allocating 1% of your annual income for holiday spending. This includes not just gifts, but also decorations, food, and other festivities. This recommendation could be a good starting point for your holiday budgeting.
“Two-year-olds are entering pretend play and figuring out who they are. Kitchen items, cars, trucks and baby dolls allow them to pretend to be in the adult world in their play,” says Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive.”
Now you simply need to substitute 'n' with the number 12 (the twelfth tetrahedral number) and you've solved our puzzle! So there you've got it! Your true love has given you a whopping number of 364 gifts over the 12 Days of Christmas. That's almost one gift a day for a whole year!
There is no magic number but the general consensus seems to be between three gifts potentially up to around five. There will be many factors that contribute to this decisions; how many children you have, presents other family members may buy, how old your children are and, of course, budget.
Can my parents give me $100,000? Your parents can each give you up to $17,000 each in 2023 and it isn't taxed. However, any amount that exceeds that will need to be reported to the IRS by your parents and will count against their lifetime limit of $12.9 million.
The basic gift tax exclusion or exemption is the amount you can give each year to one person and not worry about being taxed. The gift tax exclusion limit for 2023 was $17,000, and for 2024 it's $18,000. That means anything you give under that amount is not taxable and does not have to be reported to the IRS.
What do we know about how, why and when children stop believing in Santa? The average age that children stop believing in Santa is eight. There's a huge amount of variation though — some kids will report it around four or five, some are closer to 12 or 13. So the average is eight, but each child's journey is different.
There is no minimum number of toys needed—in fact, a recent study found that when toddlers had fewer toys in their environment, they played with each toy longer, allowing them to focus more and play more creatively.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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