Its really not about how much you spend. Its about how much your wallet will allow and how thoughtful the gift is. But usually I am spending around 100 - 200 on a gift for my girlfriend.
Christmas is a special time, but there are other ways to celebrate the special occasion rather than just buying things (even though thats what I usually do). Spending more than I can afford has gotten me into trouble when it comes to January and February. On the other hand, I think that it definitely depends on what the person wants for Christmas and whats reasonable.
I usually spend $100-$250 on my husband. What's more important, however, is that you get a gift that's meaningful, regardless of the cost. One of the things my husband loved most last Christmas was one of the least expensive: a photo book of him with pictures of our children from birth to present.
I always spend my whole Christmas bonus on my wife. She hates it because she doesn't think she deserves it but she does.
It all depends on the gift, but I usually spend between $80 and $200 on my husband's gifts.
Both of our birthdays are close to Christmas so we typically get something we really want but it's not always a Christmas Day thing and the price varies widely. This year we got new iPhone 4s's right when they came out. I don't really like the idea of getting a gift, just to have something under the tree.
I definitely spend less than 500$ for my family giftsthe best way to buy a Christmas present earlier would be perfect time and save money.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.