Good For you. I have never set out with a plan like you did and I commend you highly for sticking to it and coming out on top. I think you are setting your children up better for life with much deeper values and how lucky they are to have you as a mum.

I didn't buy anything new, clothes or toys for the first 3 years of my daughters life...theres just no point when there is an abundance of gently used, previously loved items. Now I mix it up depending on the items. I don't buy my kids anything throughout the year. No random treats while out buying gifts for a friend or at the mall so I feel a little less guilty if an item at Xmas has a higher price tag. Even my kids cell phones are hand me downs and they are thankful for them and know they are super lucky even though their friends at school have all the latest new things. I make sure I constantly talk to them so they understand that way they don't feel hard done to because they understand and ultimately feel the same way about money and alternatives to buying new items.

About 4 years ago I bought a HUGE lot of polly pockets from a garage sale for $30. There had to easily be $200-$300 worth of items their. I split them up and gave my daughter some for Xmas and some for her next birthday. She loved them and a year ago when she was no longer into them, she sold them at a garage sale and told me to use the money towards something we need.

That being said, each to their own. I don't think theirs anything wrong with spending money on gifts. The commercialism of Xmas is definitely something to be desired, but as long as you can instill the real meaning and values of this time of year through other things other than "stuff" then I think everything in moderation. If thats how someone wants to show their appreciation then so be it. I personally like a gift that has thought put into it. That may be a big ticket item, that is brand new, but it could quite easily be handmade, second hand or an act of kindness also.