Christmas: reasonable spend per child.

ymakesmile

going2die_rich wrote: »

I think when I was a kid, I'd have about £30 spent on me tops. Even that was a stretch for my mum and looking back I wish I had been a bit more considerate of what we could afford rather than just looking at what my friends were getting and ask for that.

I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I certainly wont be spending £250 each on them like others. They'll have a very tight budget so they dont think things grow on trees, no matter how wealthy I am at that point.

I'd rather be buying them so much at xmas and then spend some money in the 6 weeks holidays and other half terms when you know they are going to get bored or sit in the house. Pointless in spending so much for one day when you know they will still be buzzing from a few gifts, plenty of chocolate and lazing about watching tv.

The only exception would be like when buying a games console or computer, which I'd say was a gift for the family and only buy it when it was reasonably priced and not just pay over the odds for it because it's newly released just before xmas.

I can't understand why spoiling your kid for one day is so important, just so they think "Santa" is great. Hardly a life lesson being learnt or even giving your child enjoyment since it's a one day buzz in most present cases. But each to their own, it's your money after all.

I totally agree with you! And I am not male....

jkmum

I cringe when parents tot up how much they've spent on each child, then worry about getting a few extra bits for one child where they've spent a few quid less (I'm talking under 5s here, I could understand it with older children.) DS, 5 has got some lego stuff, bought at discount through the year. DD, 2 has just got loads of cheap dolly stuff from Asda etc. I've spent a fraction on DD but I know she will love what she's getting. There's no point buying more things to match the spend of the other one as she won't appreciate the extra gifts - now I just have to convince OH:D

midlandsfairy

My parents spent £30 each on my brother and I when we were younger and then once we hit our teens this went up to £40 and has stayed there since. We are now in our twenties. I don't have a big family either so it wasn't about getting presents from elsewhere- 2 grandparents, 1 aunt, 1 cousin and 2 godparents.

My MIL must spend about £200 on each person each christmas and after growing up with just a couple of special presents or lots of little inexpensive things I actually find it a bit uncomfortable!! For me its more about the meaning of the season and the sentiment of giving a gift.

Oh but I do have a stocking still, there would be a riot if that went!!!!:rotfl:

jellyhead

jkmum wrote: »

I cringe when parents tot up how much they've spent on each child, then worry about getting a few extra bits for one child where they've spent a few quid less (I'm talking under 5s here, I could understand it with older children.) DS, 5 has got some lego stuff, bought at discount through the year. DD, 2 has just got loads of cheap dolly stuff from Asda etc. I've spent a fraction on DD but I know she will love what she's getting. There's no point buying more things to match the spend of the other one as she won't appreciate the extra gifts - now I just have to convince OH:D

They might notice it when they're older, but not when they're small. I still remember one christmas where my brother and I worked out that my sister (the favourite, second of 4) had more money spent on her than the other 3 of us put together. That's an extreme example though, and if we weren't so aware of how she was treated differently then we wouldn't have thought about the difference in presents.

Last year I remember buying extra presents for my eldest because when I came to actually wrap presents he only had 3 things, so I added a dvd and another book. Although the spend on him had been twice what i'd spent on my youngest, I thought their piles of presents should look roughly the same. I couldn't give the youngest 10 boxes but the eldest only 3. 10 and 5 wasn't so bad

Staciep88

Hey,

Im not sure really what the ideal amount would be as I spose it depends on the childrens ages, when I was about 8 my parents would spend a fortune - anything up2 £600! but last christmas (On my 18th) they bought me 2 jumpers lol. But I have just done the christmas shopping and it came to £76.00!! thats for 11 adults and 1 six month old baby. Good old 'Boots 3for2' Ok, they're not big presents it's the thought that counts.

xx

oliver2008

I have four kids, 12, 11, 7 and 1. The older kids get roughly £200 each spent on them, and the youngest about £100 (£50 of toys £50 of much needed clothes). They older ones also get money from my dad, my mum and OH's mum. They get a hell of a lot more than I did as a child :eek:

JoJoArmani

I know people who spend a fortune at Christmas.

Oh's ex & partner have bought her 7 or 8 year old son a crosser bike thing for £300 odd. They bought him a mini quad only a couple of years ago. But this won't be his only gift.... I've been told the living room is literally full of presents for the kids. They have 4. Yet during the year they plead poverty/moan about money etc etc. How do they afford it? It's crazy.

Bro in law and his misses another flash pair - spend a fortune on themselves and daughter - same on birthdays...it like GHD's, expensive trainers, designer clothes etc etc he's a window cleaner and she has never worked. Brags how he earns £500 a week - yet still asks to borrow £20 off his Mum every now and again.

What makes me laugh is that for all the flash-ness not a one of them actually saves any money for their kids... they just spend spend spend. If you give them money for Xmas they just blow it on rubbish - waste of time.

As for how much I spend - I have no idea... I buy £300 of High st vouchers and prob spend another £200-300 cash. That is for everyone 10 various kids and 8 adults.

Melon78

yummymummy888888 wrote: »

I have a completley different take on it! (2 girls 5 and 6):D

I buy them the must have toys they want, (the wow factor," look what Father Christmas has got me"), whether £20 or £100.00 it does not really matter. I then keep shopping till they have loads of parcels to open.

A week before xmas I have a quick tally up but I am kidding myself really. The "bargains" I have got in the year and in the pre xmas sales probably double what figure I have in my head!

For me it is all about a satisfying pile of prezzies for them to come down to and how long they are kept occupied opening them!

Oh, I tell hubby I spend about £150.00 each. Cough Cough:rotfl:

Phew, its not just me then lol
x

minxtress

I have 3 children 16,12,8, I spend whatever I can afford on them and then some. I am the same and chew myself to death if the floor isnt covered with presents and the sofa too.
I had it the same when I was small, I dont know how much it cost but it took my breath away once a year and I love doing that to my children.
They get one main present each which this year eldest is getting a pc, youngest getting a laptop and middle is getting an xbox elite, then they'l get about £200 spent on them on other bits and bobs.
I buy nothing throughout the year for them and they have to save hard for whatever else they want and all 'earn' money for jobs at home to pay for things they want throughout the year,
I dont do it because they expect....I love doing it and it makes my christmas, I get nothing myself of family , so this is my xmas day seeing the pleasure on thier faces.

JoJoArmani

minxtress wrote: »

I have 3 children 16,12,8, I spend whatever I can afford on them and then some. I am the same and chew myself to death if the floor isnt covered with presents and the sofa too.
I had it the same when I was small, I dont know how much it cost but it took my breath away once a year and I love doing that to my children.
They get one main present each which this year eldest is getting a pc, youngest getting a laptop and middle is getting an xbox elite, then they'l get about £200 spent on them on other bits and bobs.
I buy nothing throughout the year for them and they have to save hard for whatever else they want and all 'earn' money for jobs at home to pay for things they want throughout the year,
I dont do it because they expect....I love doing it and it makes my christmas, I get nothing myself of family , so this is my xmas day seeing the pleasure on thier faces.

If you can afford it then that's great. People I know can't really afford it but do it anyway like it is some competition and then give the kids earache when they need new shoes in April.