Ever wonder how your holiday spending stacks up against everyone else's? Who tips the sitter how much? What's everyone spending on their kids?
UrbanSitter and mom.me collected more than 400 responses to its short survey probing into the holiday spending of parents around the country.
More than 1/3 of the respondents tip their nannies between $25 and $50, regardless of the hourly rate. About 3/4 of nannies get one to two weeks' pay as a year-end bonus. Just under 1/3 of the nannies get at least a week break from their duties. If you want to secure a sitter for New Year's Eve, you're already behind in booking! Almost 3/4 of party-going parents secure nighttime help a month in advance. (More than 10 percent booked two months ago!)
Spending on gifts was a little surprising. Whereas most parents spend less than $100 on gifts for their child, more than 1/3 spend between $200 and $500 on their significant other. If that's about $200 to $500 more than you spend on your spouse, you're not alone. More than 1/5 of the respondents said they don't exchange gifts with their better half.
Toys top the gift-spending for kids, while sporting goods, clothing and electronics make up the bulk of purchases for adults.
Looking ahead to 2015, most are resolving to declutter their homes and lives. Weight-loss, that traditional New Year's resolution, still holds tight. Respondents are looking forward to a year of more exercise and eating healthier. They really mean it, this time.
