From saving up early in the year to simply going all out on impulse, everyone had their own budgeting strategy for the recent Yuletide season. We asked 10 women to reveal how much they spent over the holidays.

Compiled by Karyl Coseto

“More than I wanted to! I ended up shopping a lot for myself while buying gifts for friends and family."
-Steph, 24

“I spent around P30,000 during the holidays, I think. When you have a family, you always end up spending a lot."
-Lita, 41

“Do you mean in gifts? I spent siguro mga more than P3,000 but less than P5,000 for presents in total. That covers family, friends, and co-workers na."
-Anna, 23

“This year, we hosted the family Christmas party at our house so I definitely spent a lot. On decorations, food, and gifts, I guess around P20,000. I know that sounds like a lot but we have a lot of relatives!"
-Kristine, 34

“You know what? Surprisingly, I didn’t spend a lot. My girlfriends and I decided to share a nice meal together and we don’t exchange gifts in the family."
-Jackie, 27

“I gave out tiny handmade trinkets lang this year that cost me about P2,000 all in all so I didn’t spend a lot. What I did spend a lot was time with people I didn’t get to see frequently throughout the year."
-Meg, 27

“With all the gift-giving and eating out, I think I spent around P7,000 during the holidays."
-Pamela, 23

“Most of my gifts were food I cooked and packaged myself so I was able to cut costs. I think I spent within the range of P4,000 to P6,000 pesos."
-Abby, 24

“We went abroad and shopped ‘til we dropped! I spent around P15,000 which didn’t really bother me as much as it should have because I’d been saving up for the trip since October."
-Mon, 30

“Siguro mga P5,000? Hindi talaga ako magastos na tao"
Raisa, 25

PHOTO: ANDREW RICHARDS (SXC.HU)