how much do you spend on your kids at christmas?

jetty

Wow, this thread actually made it to page 6 before descending into arguments and the usual 'why spend more' debates I don't give a stuff how much anyone spends on their kids, the only thing i care about is if my children are happy, well-adjusted and appreciative. If everyone worries about everyone else, well, i think that's just a waste of time, no one will change my view and i don't intend to change anyone elses or make anyone else understand why i spend what i spend. Bring on the commercialism

victory

Kazipoo wrote: »

When our kids were younger and money was tight, the hubby made a trolley with blocks (that he made me paint!), a blackboard and a rocking chair. They were of course very simply made, but the kids absolutely loved them.

I had mine for years and years and the kids were all envious begging their dads to make one for them, that was the best bit, not only did I have a fab long lasting free made with love present (dad got the wood from a house clearance) but the kids thought my present and my dad were really cool, priceless:D

sunshine_shell

i remember present being bought for me and made for me and i loved them both

don't fight people its christmas

emmell

I love buying presents, especially for my son who's now 26. He's always had lovely presents, I save up all year in a christmas savings club (most of my family do) it's a tradition. I've never been in debt and I have never owned a credit card. We spent quality time with our son all year so it was the presents on christmas and birthdays that made it stand out as a special day.
He hasn't grown up spoilt or selfish, that's why he saved to put a deposit down on a house at 23 instead of spending all his hard earned money on drink, because he knew the value of money. Oh, and the amount of thought he puts into his dad and my presents still amazes me (he gets that off me not his dad),
ML.

SammyD_2

jetty wrote: »

Wow, this thread actually made it to page 6 before descending into arguments and the usual 'why spend more' debates I don't give a stuff how much anyone spends on their kids, the only thing i care about is if my children are happy, well-adjusted and appreciative. If everyone worries about everyone else, well, i think that's just a waste of time, no one will change my view and i don't intend to change anyone elses or make anyone else understand why i spend what i spend. Bring on the commercialism

I think though that as a society we buy our kids lots of stuff mostly for the sake of it. It does not teach anyone to value anything. It does not teach them to save for anything. It does not teach them to prioritise what is important to them.

We are in a strong financial position. This is as a result of hard work, good education and monetry discipline, and good luck with our health and jobs. We will not treat our children like they are paupers, but we will buy them a couple of big gifts and a few smaller gifts. I am not prepared to spend any where near the huge sums people on this site are spending. I want my children to see that things do not just get handed out. They are worked for and saved for, and only after the necessities are paid for and savings set aside. This is how we got the financial security we have now. I want my kids to learn the same things I was taught in this regard.

I am also conscious that my son has friends who come from families who are not well off. I do not want him to be out of step with his friends, or to have his class divided into the haves and the have nots.

If you want to spend hundreds of pounds on a three year old, good on you. My own view is that you would be better saving it for that three year olds education/house deposit. But of course, it is your choice.

jetty

SammyD wrote: »

I think though that as a society we buy our kids lots of stuff mostly for the sake of it. It does not teach anyone to value anything. It does not teach them to save for anything. It does not teach them to prioritise what is important to them.

We are in a strong financial position. This is as a result of hard work, good education and monetry discipline, and good luck with our health and jobs. We will not treat our children like they are paupers, but we will buy them a couple of big gifts and a few smaller gifts. I am not prepared to spend any where near the huge sums people on this site are spending. I want my children to see that things do not just get handed out. They are worked for and saved for, and only after the necessities are paid for and savings set aside. This is how we got the financial security we have now. I want my kids to learn the same things I was taught in this regard.

I am also conscious that my son has friends who come from families who are not well off. I do not want him to be out of step with his friends, or to have his class divided into the haves and the have nots.

If you want to spend hundreds of pounds on a three year old, good on you. My own view is that you would be better saving it for that three year olds education/house deposit. But of course, it is your choice.

I just wrote a huge post explaining, which is exactly what i said i wouldn't do, lol, you nearly got me there All i am going to say is.... my mum took my kids to a museum (a small free one!) and at the end, at the gift shop, she offered my eldest (who was 10 at the time) a crystal which was £3, she actually said to my mum "oh, nannie, are you sure, that is alot of money!!" My mum still mentions this now and said she couldn't believe how grateful my daughter was. They aren't spoilt, annoying kids and would be happy with a pack of knickers for xmas, just because i choose to spend more on them at xmas, doesn't mean they don't understand money. And i don't have a three year old

sassyblue

jetty wrote: »

my mum took my kids to a museum (a small free one!) and at the end, at the gift shop, she offered my eldest (who was 10 at the time) a crystal which was £3, she actually said to my mum "oh, nannie, are you sure, that is alot of money!!"

I remember having my then 4 year old nephew for the weekend, l took him out and bought him a comic and he wanted something else, l said 'no this comic costs quite a bit of money already', he looked sad and then said 'auntie sassy will you have enough pennies for the week?' I was so touched bless him he's 18 now and still very thoughtful and money concious because his mum had to struggle.

I agree let's not argue over what we spend on out little ones, there's already too much nastiness in the world! Money isn't an issue because you can't take it with you - all that matters is that our children have loving homes and are bought up to know right from wrong and to respect others, those values stay with you for life and cost nothing

lrr_2

Ive probably spent about £500 if im realistic on my 10 year old daughter

i-touch
video games
and a few other bits and bobs

and doesnt ever look like a big pile

One good thing about the video games though is that she exchanges them for new one when she is finished with them

Yes it sounds a lot of money but then I dont go out partying at the weekends and some of it we can both enjoy.

qwiksave

Who says children can't wait for things? (post higher up mentioning that kids can't wait for stuff being cheaper in the January sales). I'm a bit disabled and don't work at the moment (also been a SAHM) and my husband has recently been made redundant (well, inbetween contract work). My kids at 7 and 9 have been told and understand that they can't have the expensive presents (@£80 each) they have chosen for christmas this year because we simply can't afford it. We have told them when their daddy gets another job they can have them then. I have managed to get them bits and pieces throughout the year in Sales and TKMaxx and Charity shops so they won't be deprived at Christmas. In fact when my hubby does gets a job (one is looking promising for January! ) they will have another day to look forward to!

It's good to have a debate on here but if people get too personal it spoils it for everyone. Try not to judge what other people do, it is what works for them!

shelovestobuystuff

I spend probably more than I plan too or would like to because I cannot resist all the lovely stuff I see.Total shopaholic.I know the kids would be just as happy with a bit less, and every year I do end up keeping some gifts aside for birthdays or even for next year because I can see it is too much once I have it all together and look at what I have bought over the year.
I dont get into debt for it now though ,and for the last three years have had a spend neutral christmas.
In past years I have reached for a credit card at the last moment to add more stuff to the christmas pressie piles,just last minute add ons I see.Not this year.Not only am I spend neutral but I actually made all of the money in advance of spending it and have resisted the temptation to put another couple of hundred on the credit card and pay it off in January as I have done in the past.
This year I have managed to scale back on the amount I spend on the grown ups gifts and next year I will try harder not to spend more than I am comfortable with on the kids too.
Every year I add a bit more homemade or second hand items to my purchases and less advertised mainstream stuff.I will find the right balance for me eventually.