Do you buy for your spouse at Christmas?

United States
December 1, 2011 2:01pm CST
With Christmas fast approaching, I was wondering how many people on here actually buy a present for their spouse? and do you get a present in return? My husband and I came to an agreement a few years back that we would not buy for each other. We're still young, and tight on money and we want everything to go to our children. Each year we spend what little money we have on the boys so that their Christmas is good and memorable. For me, it doesn't matter that I don't get gifts because I would rather have someone take the money they were going to spend on me and put it towards stuff for my children. What about you? Do you and your spouse by presents for each other?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
2 Dec 11
Well it depends on the budget. There are times that I do buy something for my wife on special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays. Usually we surprise each other. It's not necessarily an item that is expensive but something useful and something that will perhaps give a lasting memory for such event. But of course, there are times when money is hard and we would tell each other that we should not buy gift for each other and just spend the special event having dinner or strolling around places with our child.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
3 Dec 11
You are truly indeed great parents. I am sad to hear that you got laid off from your job. I do hope that later on you will be able to find one to supplement the income. For the meantime, it is simply practical not to buy gifts considering that situation. After all, what is important is spending the time together with the family and letting them feel being loved and cared for. For me that is the greatest gift that no materials things can compare.
• United States
2 Dec 11
That's how it is with us this year. We're just going off of my husband income since I got laid off and my unemployment hasn't started yet. I'd rather any extra money we have go toward the kids especially since it's gonna be a super tight Christmas this year. Everyone else in the family already knows that we WILL not buy for them. We made that clear a few years ago, because we wanted to have enough money to buy for our children.
@GemmaR (8517)
1 Dec 11
I certainly do buy gifts for my partner at Christmas time, however we always agree on a certain amount of money that we're going to spend on each other, as this can mean that it will be equal rather than one of us buying lots for the other while one of us hardly gets anything at all. We prefer presents that actually mean something or symbolise something rather than anything which is overly expensive. We are saving up for a house at the moment so have tried not to spend too much money on each other this Christmas.
• United States
1 Dec 11
That's a smart move to agree on a certain amount. That might be something that my husband and I can try.
• United States
3 Dec 11
My husband and I have a set amoungt we spend on each other, but no limit on how many gifts we buy each other. We do at least two (because we open one on Christmas Eve), but we always end up doing more than two gifts. I have ordered one gift already for him and have more to buy yet.,
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
14 Dec 11
My husband and I have decided that we aren't going to buy presents for eachother because we would like to buy some things for the house instead like a new couch and a new floor in the living room. Both things are expensive, but our couch is broken and the floor looks terrible, so this year it is more important to save up for those things. My husband doesn't like the idea of skipping presents completely and he suggested that we made something for eachother instead of buying something. I will have to think about that, I would to make him something, but I don't have the time to make the things that I would like to make for him...
• United States
3 Dec 11
I buy several gifts for my husband and he buys me several gifts. Since it is just the two of us we play santa for each other. He buys one gift for me and the rest he signs love santa. I do the same for him. We also exchange one gift on Christmas Eve (this has been a tradition in his family for years) and one we kept after we got married.
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
9 Dec 11
I can buy Christmas gifts for my husband. so for me a respect for him. we always just buy gifts this is a custom in our family. but if we understand that of course will not buy gifts just depends on how we understand. I respect your decision because everyone knows the relationship and everything else in the family. nice day!
2 Dec 11
We have never spent a lot on Christmas-- We would get them a few nice gifts--After they were older it was important to them that me and their Dad had a gift also.. We would go shopping and give them a little money to buy us a gift.. Their gift would be mine and my husband's gift to each other-- My children are grown now but I can tell you for experience that it was not the gifts they remember the most..It is the family time we spent together..I always cooked their favorite meals and still do today..We would watch a movie and just have a fun time..This year we will go to my son's home for Christmas as he has a son of his own.. Hopefully we can pass on the tradition..Merry Christmas and make great family memories for your wonderful family.
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
1 Dec 11
My husband and I actually do buy presents for each other. I have told him not to buy me anything this year, but he still wants to get me something. I was somewhat hoping to get him a present anyway, as well. It's just something that we do. We buy each other gifts for Christmas. It's something we like doing.
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
1 Dec 11
My husband and I actually do buy presents for each other. I have told him not to buy me anything this year, but he still wants to get me something. I was somewhat hoping to get him a present anyway, as well. It's just something that we do. We buy each other gifts for Christmas. It's something we like doing.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
2 Dec 11
My husband and i used to buy each other gifts on Christmas day. But when our daughter's school needs and tuition in College really gets bigger, we don't anymore. We agreed to just buy each of our own gifts to our daughter on Christmas - one for Christmas and one for birthday, since it's her birthday too. Then, in the afternoon we give her a small family party, aside from the lunch we do in a restaurant after we have gone to church and shopped afterwards for her gifts. We want her to feel this very special day of hers and Jesus'. But we do give each other simple gifts during our respective birthdays, in addition to our dining out. And sometimes, i would always buy him something, out of the blue.
@mrswahl (10)
• United States
1 Dec 11
Well my husband and I do buy gifts for each other, usually one big gift and some smaller gifts...last year I got him a 50in flat screen and he got me a laptop...this year I am getting him the new Iphone 4s and he pretty much spilled it and said he was thinking about getting me the new Ipad2..we love buying each other gifts and will probably continue to do so for years to come.