Christmas 2025: How We Spoiled 7 Kids for Under $125

Christmas 2025 is now behind us, and what a magical time it was! The entire PlanAvenir family gathered together - Mr., Mrs., and Baby PlanAvenir - to celebrate with our loved ones. But beyond the turkey and the festivities, I wanted to share with you a small victory that made me particularly proud this year: our gift budget.

A Christmas "Commercial Break"

I know, I know... Starting a blog post by talking about a budget during the holiday season might seem a bit like that uncle who talks about RRSPs at the Christmas dinner table. But hey, consider this my little gift from me to you! A financial present wrapped in holiday paper, if you will.

And yes, I just made a Christmas "plug" in a personal finance blog. The irony isn't lost on me. But stick with me - I promise this story is worth your time.

The Challenge: 7 Kids, 7 Personalities, 1 Budget

Here's our situation: between my side and my spouse's side, we have no less than seven nephews and nieces. Seven! That's seven birthdays to remember, seven Christmas gifts to find, and seven little personalities to please.

Let me give you the breakdown:

Ages ranging from 2 to 12 years old
Different interests (from dinosaurs to video games to arts and crafts)
Different temperaments (some are easy to please, others... let's say they have refined tastes)
Parents with different values regarding gifts

In previous years, we fell into the trap that many families know well: trying to buy "useful" gifts. You know the type - winter boots at $150, quality winter coats at $200, educational toys that cost an arm and a leg.

The result? A budget that exploded faster than you can say "Boxing Day sale."

Our 2025 Strategy: Back to Basics

This year, we decided to completely change our approach. No more practical gifts that empty the wallet. We went back to what Christmas is all about for kids: TOYS.

Some might say practical gifts are better. But here's what I've realized:

Kids remember the joy and excitement of Christmas morning
Practical gifts can wait for other occasions throughout the year
As aunt and uncle, we love bringing the magic and fun
A well-chosen toy brings more smiles than an expensive coat

The Numbers Don't Lie

Let me show you the comparison:

Previous Years (Per Child):

Running shoes: $80-150
Winter coat: $100-200
Educational games: $50-80
Average per child: $100-150
Total for 7 kids: $700-1,050

This Year (Per Child):

Fun toys from quality stores: $15-20
Average per child: $17
Total for 7 kids: Under $125

Yes, you read that right. We went from spending almost $1,000 to spending less than $125. That's a savings of over $875!

The Kids' Reaction

I was curious to see their reaction. Would they be just as excited?

The answer: absolutely yes!

Christmas morning, I watched each of them tear open their presents with the same excitement they'd show for a $200 gift. The 4-year-old was thrilled with her art supplies. The 7-year-old couldn't stop playing with his building blocks. The 12-year-old actually smiled at her craft kit (and if you know teenagers, you know that's a win).

Here's what I learned: kids don't check price tags. They don't compare the retail value of their gifts. They care about:

Is it fun?
Can they play with it right now?
Does it spark their imagination?

A $18 toy checks all those boxes just as well as a $150 pair of shoes that they'll outgrow in 6 months anyway.

The Added Benefits We Didn't Expect

Beyond the obvious financial savings, we noticed several unexpected benefits:

Less Stress During Shopping. Instead of spending hours comparing winter boot brands and sizes, we spent a relaxed afternoon in the toy section. Shopping actually felt... fun?
No Size Anxiety. Every parent knows the panic of "Did I get the right size?" With toys, there's no size chart to worry about. A toy car works whether you're 3 or 6 years old.
More Time for What Matters. The time we saved not agonizing over practical gifts was time we could spend actually enjoying the holidays.
Teaching a Valuable Lesson. We're subtly teaching our nephews and nieces that thoughtfulness matters more than price tags. That's a financial lesson that will serve them well.

What We Did With the Savings

Remember that $875 we saved? Here's what we did with it:

$500 went directly into our TFSA (CELI)
$200 went into Baby PlanAvenir's RESP
$175 went into a "family fun fund" for activities throughout the year

That $500 in our TFSA, invested in index funds with an average return of 7%, will be worth approximately $985 in 10 years. Our Christmas savings is literally working for our retirement.

Tips for Your Own Holiday Budget

Based on our experience, here are my recommendations:

Set a Per-Child Limit. We set ours at $20 per child maximum. Having a clear limit prevents scope creep.
Shop Early. We started shopping in November. This gave us time to find deals and avoid the last-minute panic purchases.
Hunt for Hidden Gems. Great toys aren't always expensive. Art supplies, stickers, small games - kids love them, and you can find quality items at great prices.
Focus on Experience Over Price. A $15 board game that the whole family plays together beats a $100 gadget that sits in a drawer.
Don't Compare Yourself to Others. Your sister-in-law might spend $200 per kid. That's her choice. Your budget is your budget.

The Bigger Picture

I want to be clear: this is about being smart and intentional with our money.

Every dollar we save on gifts is a dollar we can invest in our future. It's a dollar closer to our goal of retiring at 40. It's a dollar that grows while we sleep.

Christmas should be about family, love, and togetherness - not about going into debt for stuff that'll be forgotten by February.

Conclusion

So there you have it - our Christmas 2025 budget breakdown. We managed to make seven children happy, keep the festive spirit alive, and still stay true to our financial goals.

Was it the most luxurious Christmas ever? No. Was it filled with love, laughter, and meaningful time with family? Absolutely.

And honestly, watching Baby PlanAvenir experience their first real Christmas, surrounded by family, was worth more than any gift we could have bought or received.

Here's to a financially savvy 2025, everyone. May your investments grow, your expenses stay low, and your family moments be priceless.

Happy New Year from the PlanAvenir family!

What about you? How do you manage your holiday gift budget? Do you have tips for keeping costs down while still spreading joy? Let me know in the comments below!