Parents,how much do you spend on christmas presents for your kids?

big_gay_kirk

cherrycupcake wrote: »

. I worry about what to do when my kids (7 & 3) get into DS, Xbox, PS Wii etc, etc etc! And not for financial reasons either. It never ends, and I personally think it's wrong that kids should have so much spent on them at all - irrelevant of household income.

just tell them they can wait till the second hand prices are less than 20 quid.... by that time they'll want something else....if not, buy the 2nd hand one ( and there'll be plenty...) and when its been in the cupboard unplayed with for six months sell it on fro a tenner... the best thing of all is to do what I did with my lad... he never started wanting electronic games, because he had too much else to do with his dad and mates... hill walking, scouting, kick boxing,..... dare I say reading.... fish keeping.... and strangely, the only thing he misses out on are the boring interminable "conversations" at school with the boring kids about what level of Final theft hero 17 they've got to...

LouBlue

Sorry but the last 2 poster's names on here go so well together.

jellyhead

:rotfl:

rusty i buy things that the little one might want in a few months too - extra tubs of playdough too lol!

ragz_2

I'm spending about £25 on each of my kids, including stockings. The most so far but they are only 1 & 2. I don't expect it to become more than about £40 including stockings until they are about 10 unless there is something big they need.
When I was a child £20 was my limit and I knew it, I had great fun looking through the catalouges and choosing my thing. I'd get a teddy bear or similar from my mum's parents and a box of chocolates/biscuits from her brother and Auntie. We'd have Christmas dinner by candlelight (no electricity) with one of those BM turkey roll things and sausages in bacon (you can't cook a whole turkey in a caravan cooker) and make our Christmas decorations from cut up magazines (we bought the foil ready cut strips one year when my mum was feeling rich and they just didn't look right!).
I was always grateful and appreciated the fact that my parents had little money.
I want my children to grow up with the same values, I will not deprive them to prove a point but I will not spoil them in order to "give them everything I never had" as I don't agree with doing that. If I know they will be happy with their £20 present, why spend more to make myself feel like a better parent?

Bella79

last year was my dd 1st xmas so we only spent about £50.00 on her as she diddnt really know
this year ive spent more than i would have liked i got her a little tykes kitchen £60.00
and some other bits n bobs total about
£150
and theres not a lot there god knows what ill do when shes older and wanting more expesnive things !!

liney

Well i have just totted up about £225 for my 4 year old; woolies sale was lethal! Got some great buys though. I just want a pack of Ben 10 Figures for him now, which seem to be silly money everywhere so if anyone sees a deal...

I don't buy toys throughout the year though, other than the odd cheap item when it's holidays from preschool, or crafty items which are used constantly, so Christmas and Birthday which falls perfectly in June is the perfect time for a good stock up.

Lunar_Eclipse

big_gay_kirk wrote: »

the only thing he misses out on are the boring interminable "conversations" at school with the boring kids about what level of Final theft hero 17 they've got to...

But most children don't think these conversations are boring. I don't know the particular game to which you referred, but personally I would much rather my kids played on electronic toys than watch the TV (documentaries & newsround aside).

At least most electronic games, including the Wii, can be sociable when played with other children/people. In fact, the Wii is really no different than getting out a board game, except it can engage some children in a way that board games never will (myself as a child!)

I think most things have a place to be honest. But moderation is required. Thankfully I don't have to ration time on the DS or Wii since they are occasional toys. There is no way I would let my kids play with them daily. Perhaps because I'm so laid back about them, they are a non issue. But like you mentioned, my children spend a lot of time playing outdoors and having fun with other children.

Lunar_Eclipse

Hush-Puppy wrote: »

Hi there,

Yes, we do think it's worth it! I could easily halve the number of 'other people' we buy for, but I really love buying gifts for friends/family at Christmas as we can't afford to do it regularly throughout the year.

But you can't afford to do it at Xmas either.

And I promise you wouldn't miss out by reducing the amount spent or people bought for. In fact, I bet you (and/or hubbie) would be thankful to reduce the post Xmas paying off the debt pressure.

How about more homemade or free gifts? I'm giving a couple of people the free 'name a star' gift I found on here, printing the certificate on lovely card/paper and wrapping it beautifully (with materials I already have.) Could you not get the same enjoyment out of giving that? And saving yourself £5-10 for every person that you do this for. I can afford to spend loads on gifts, but find myself increasingly in the 'it's all unnecessary/wasteful camp.'

Or how about spending more time with your loved ones instead of shopping? Meeting friends for a £2.50 coffee in Starbucks instead of buying a gift for example.

I'm also doing some cookie dough gift sets in a jar for children. £1 each for the jars and a few ingredients mixed together that I have in the cupboard, with some nice gift tags. These types of gifts take a bit more time, but can also be more personal. My 7 year old daughter is reminded of one of her favourite birthday presents she got when she was 5, every time she eats a biscuit. Some lovely friends baked her some cookies and put them in a cute little jar; decorating the top with gel pens. She doesn't recall any other (shop bought) present; and that was honestly a turning point in my gift giving. It has been her most remembered present ever, and probably the cheapest.

Just trying to be helpful and persuasive; it's just not worth the debt!

RoxieW

Hush-Puppy wrote: »

Hi there,

Yes, we do think it's worth it! I could easily halve the number of 'other people' we buy for, but I really love buying gifts for friends/family at Christmas as we can't afford to do it regularly throughout the year.

I could spend less on the kids, it's true ... but I like the way we do it, lol! Birthdays are generally low-key gifts wise, Christmas is our time to really splash out on them.

The baby has now become a toddler (*sob*), so I have bought some key items to see her through the year. Her birthday is 3 weeks before Christmas so I've spread it between both.

In two years time I'll hopefully be starting a uni course to become a qualified Midwife which will then mean two wages coming in. Then we'll save towards Christmas and do away with the bank loan situation, but I can totally see where you're coming from and do appreciate the concern.

Sorry for waffling!

XX

I agree with you actually - i could spend less on everyone and just buy less in general but I love gift buying and giving. even when i begin with good intentions making homemade gifts etc - which i have done this year - i still end up buying further gifts for the person! I just love xmas and go all out. Of course, its not about money but for me I cant think of anything better to spend cash on then xmas and family and friends. we dont smoke or drink and alot - like everyone - of our cash goes on the daily grind cost of living. This is the time of year when we can really enjoy splashing out and spoiling our family. If the debt is planned and managable and thats what you want to do then good luck to you.

cymrubaby

I spend roughly £250 - £300 per child and I have 3 kids. I saved up £1000 in park vouchers this year and earned £50 commission as I'm an agent. £500 of that was intended for a new LCD TV which we have now bought and the rest was meant to be spent on the kids' main presents, which it has been.

I can never budget properly Christmas time as I always see little stocking fillers and special offers that I can't pass up so I end up spending usually an extra £200-£300 on top of my vouchers.

I can't praise my vouchers enough though - they really help and I don't notice the money I pay out each week. if I put the money into a savings account all year I'm worried I might be tempted to spend some on an 'emergency' bill or something so that's why I prefer vouchers. Also, I'm starting with my son's school bank christmas savings in January so that I also have a cash top up for my vouchers next year.

The older the child gets the more expensive the gifts seem to get and they often have very precise ideas about what they want. My 6 yr old daughter wants a playdoh dentist, High School Musical stuff, Hannah Montana stuff and a bike! My sons are still small so they have what they're given. I'm also busy cooking baby no4 and so there will be one more to buy for next year so I definitely have to plan ahead.