how much do you spend on your kids at christmas?

pinkie_pie

jorose - I'm no saint, I spend a fair bits on my kids even though I'm in debt (although I never get more in debt, just not less out of it if that makes sense...) however I do wonder if a ps2 AND a psp is a little excessive.. not price wise mind, simply does a child need two consoles as one present? I'd possibly have spread them out and done one for a bday and one for chrstmas...

miss_independent

snowedunderitall wrote: »

jorose - I'm no saint, I spend a fair bits on my kids even though I'm in debt (although I never get more in debt, just not less out of it if that makes sense...) however I do wonder if a ps2 AND a psp is a little excessive.. not price wise mind, simply does a child need two consoles as one present? I'd possibly have spread them out and done one for a bday and one for chrstmas...

I might be mistaken, but I think jorose HAS only got her ds one psp .

"I started buying at the end of august and i have just totted up and i have spent about £300 on each of my two boys. i like to save up and spoil them at christmas my eldest is 8 and asked for a ps 2 as his big pressy but i have bought a second hand one off a friend so as a supprise big pressy i have got him a psp cant wait to see his face."

From the way I read it, he asked for a ps2 and she managed to get a second hand psp off her friend instead. Although I do know people who got their kids xboxes, wii's and ds's or psp's (i.e one of each!) all in one go at christmas!

elektra-2007

Ive gone halves with my ex for my sons ps3 so about £150 each, then ive spent about another £150 on games and other stuff. somethings i had left from his birthday that I kept to one side as he had too much. And ive brought him another big present £150 but im keeping that behind for his birthday in october. I would love to spend a small amount but kids want so much, and as hes an only child i cant share big costs between a couple of kids but then why shouldnt he have things even tho they are expensive because i choose to have an only child. I make him wait all year at xmas and birthdays for big presents and games, or he can save his own money for them.

beverleyhdsn1983

I am the first to admit I go overboard on my kids at christmas. Leeland is 4 and is really into Ben 10 and HM armed forces so I have got him all of those things, a bike and other misc toys. Lakota is 3, shes getting a bike, dolls house, kitchen, my little pony things, disney princess things. Lennox is 6 months and has a jumperoo, a polar coaster, musical jungle and a few hand held toys (after my dd I decided I wasnt having anymore so gave all age appropriate toys away). BUT I start buying in the boxing day sales and snap up a few bargains in the boots 75% off sale, then the summer sales. Im usually finished by October unless they badger me for something specific.
I would say I have spent about £300 each on them but true total (if bought at full price) would probably be £500 ish, obviously thats just for the bigger two tho, Lennox was about £100, I got the jumperoo free.
That doesnt include dvds or their christmas eve bath and bed packs tho but I won a psp and an ipod on foxy bingo so sold them on ebay to pay for those, also won £50 cd wow vouchers from there as well so bought dvds.

I also know we are really fortunate to be able to do this. We actually sorted it all out the other night and they each have 23 presents each plus dvds, which is wayyy more than I thought tbh. Our kids respect everything tho, just today Leeland got a box and when I asked him what he was doing he said he was giving his old toys to the sad boys and girls who didnt get presents, I nearly cried at that lol.

miecherox

This year I reckon each child will have had about £150 - £170 spent on them. I did originally say £100 but OH and I have done a lot of overtime and the three boys all grew out of their bikes so it went up a bit!

We have 4 to buy for, One girl (7) and three boys aged 5, 3 and 2. The three boys have all got new bikes and the two little boys have a table top train set to share because their bikes cost a third of DS(5).

DD(7) got a bike last year so she is getting a digital camera and baby anabel (she's at the in between grown up and little girl stage.)

OH and I have a rule that we don't buy computer games or things that force them to be in front of the computer or the tv/dvd. We prefer to buy them outdoor toys and imaginative play games. This is not because we have a massive objection to them but because they get a lot of telly and computer time at their other parents'... But that's a story for another time...;)

Wishing you all a merry christmas x

get_me_debt_free

I spend £150 max.. but this year its tight.. so about £100, mum and dad usually spend more they feel bad because my ex doesnt bother at all... but my kids want for nothing.. we are happy with what we have.. and we love getting the old board games out and having fun.

jorose

snowedunderitall wrote: »

jorose - I'm no saint, I spend a fair bits on my kids even though I'm in debt (although I never get more in debt, just not less out of it if that makes sense...) however I do wonder if a ps2 AND a psp is a little excessive.. not price wise mind, simply does a child need two consoles as one present? I'd possibly have spread them out and done one for a bday and one for chrstmas...

I have got two consoles but the ps 2 is a bit scratched and battered it cost 20 with 10 games so i couldnt give this as his main pressy its more a replacement for the one he got the year before last that his little brother broke, i dont think its that much really also i cant afford to buy many games for the psp he will have to save his money for them himself where as with the ps2 i can pic up games on ebay for under £5

jetty

I bought my two an xbox between them last year and also a wii, but the wii was for all the family from santa We had a little bit of extra money last year so decided to get both

rosalie-lavender

I suppose if I added it up my three would have between £100 and £120 pounds each spent on them which does include some clothes.

Whatever amount I spend I know my MIL will stand over the Christmas tree and say in a disapproving voice "aren't we so lucky to have so many Christmas presents." This year both mums are coming on Christmas eve so most of the presents my Mum has bought for us are going to be hidden away and will come out Boxing day after mil has gone home. We can then open them without the rude comments and the disaproving looks. Most of the time mil is quite sweet but she certainly could keep her thoughts to herself at Christmas.

Rebekah24

not my kids..but oh's kids

£30 each plus... this year eldest 18th, so went halves on ipod, £60 but that includes bday pressie!