All three families say they keep Christmas affordable by giving each child only one big gift and a few smaller treats. In about fifth grade, they each get a 10-speed bike. At about 14 or 15, they get a stereo. And we're not talking big and fancy. We limit it to one or two bigger gifts each.
Some traditions are both fun and money-saving.
Both the Bowns and the Durrants give their children new pajamas to open and wear on Christmas Eve. They wore those for years, they were so big. We had quite a laugh. Bown's pajama gift has an ulterior motive. I always buy my kids new pajamas for Christmas.