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

elastigirl

young Kids don't know the value of money they don't know or care if you have spent £10 or £100 on them and most often the things that were the most money dont get played with as much as the cheap things, well that's how it is with my 3 year old. It's the old they like the box/wrapping better saying but it's true. On one wage we can't afford to spend more than £10 each on family members children but have spent £50 on our own child and that is it, have a limit and stick to it. We try to spend the same on birthdays although we will most likely have to spend more as he gets older. My best friend has always spoilt her kids and shelled out £200 per child at christmas and birthdays plus they get lots inbetween, because they always spent alot on the kids they had to better the present each time there is nothing they don't have.

LouBlue

GeordieJim wrote: »

We have a 13 year old son, who, unfortunately, goes to a school where there are lots of rich kids who have everything top of the range. This means that most stuff he would really like is way beyond our Christmas budget (about £100 for him - we have a huge wider family, so the total for Christmas is about £800). However, in the last couple of years, he's realised that he ain't gonna get the really expensive stuff, so he no longer asks for it. If there's something branded or really pricey that he wants, he's wise enough to ask grandparents, aunts etc for cash (at least in part) for Christmas, and he'll buy it himself second hand in a few months time when it may be cheaper anyway. He seems to have accepted that Christmas isn't about getting everything you want, and now just enjoys what he receives (or maybe I'm just hoping).

I think that is an important lesson to teach them, if they want something quite expensive, put some of their own money towards it, or as you say, ask for money from other people and put it all together. If my niece wants anything that costs more than mum's budget for Christmas or birthday, she now puts her own money towards it as she has a part-time job, and is more than happy to do that. She is quite the little saver...unlike her Aunty at that age..........:rolleyes::D

fuzzymoneymonster

we spend £100 each on the 3 children and I think that is a bit too much, but you can hardly get what they want with that these days.
My youngest 2 are very close in age so if thwy want something a little bigger ( last year

fuzzymoneymonster

we spend £100 each on the 3 children and I think that is a bit too much, but you can hardly get what they want with that these days.
My youngest 2 are very close in age so if they want something a little bigger ( last year they wanted a wii) so they had to have it to share between them.

Emily_Hall08

jane130 wrote: »

we tend to spend about £100 per child (we have 4) sometimes a little more or a littleless.this year eldest ds wants a xbox 360 but its his birthday just before christmas so he's combining the two to get what he wants .

Eldest dd is working full time now so a bit of me wants to spend a lot less on her this year ( she has £600 a month disposable income which is so muchmore than we have its not funny) but I'm not sure I'll be able to get away with it.

I think in this situation you should spend a little less. I can't imagine it's easy for parents to decide on a cut off point for expensive presents. Probably best to talk to them about it soon, I really think it's fair enough!

Emily_Hall08

I really am going to have to ask what dd means though. I still don't understand all of the abbreviations.. I'm sure it's really obvious..

elastigirl

dd= dear daughter well it means that for me anyway. some others often seen on here are.
dh dear husband
ds dear son
mil mother in law
hth hope that helps

Emily_Hall08

amazing. I didn't understand what the d could be, or hth!

belle2008

LouBlue wrote: »

You shouldn't feel tight. People spend what they can afford (hopefully, and not put themselves into debt). I agree with not spending a lot on a small child, I was happy with a plastic kettle and a Jackie album.:rotfl: I know times change, but other children my age had a lot more money spent on them at the time, but we didn't have the money and I don't remember feeling put out at all, I was happy with whatever I got.

Well I could afford to spend a bit more than I do but I don't really agree with spending a fortune for the sake of it.
When I asked DS what he wanted for Xmas, he couldn't think of anything, but eventually decided on a Dr Who sonic screwdriver, which i think is about a fiver! I don't really understand who these children are who are asking for Wiis etc. at the age of 5. And they are supposed to be the offspring of Moneysavers!!!:rotfl:

BTW my mum used to buy me and my sister secondhand Jackie albums from charity shops for 10p each. We loved them!

MrsE_2

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

It doesn't really matter whether she was joking or not, what matters is your reaction. I would guess that your DD possibly couldn't think of anything else she really would like.

I have told my daughter that her request for the £299 dinosaur soft toy chair is ridiculous and out of question. So thankfully she didn't put it on her wish list. We could afford it easily, but that is besides the point. Mainly due to size if I'm honest. (Who on Earth wants things like that in their home?) I explained that a £40 gift was more the sort of thing we would have in mind for a main present. Obviously we don't have teenagers, but we would also be more likely to give more expensive items like Nintendos or a new bike for birthdays.

I also try my best to ensure that they realise that Christmas is not about presents.:rolleyes: The shoe boxes for Operation Xmas Child are a fantastic aid for this. Not only do the children love wrapping and filling them, but they also get a massive reality hit when they realise that this is all the "lucky" recipients of these boxes would get for Christmas.

Two points, teenagers ARE more expensive than children. They want little things that cost a lot.

If I had more than one, then I see your point about their birthdays being the special day as you have more than one to sort out for xmas, but as I only have the one, that doesn't apply to me.

As for not thinking of anything else, believe me she can:rolleyes:
Turquoise boxes were mentioned:rolleyes: