When do you stop buying loads of presents for the kids?

Lil_Me_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I think my 3 wish I would stop doing stockings for them (22, 19, 17) but somehow I can't bring myself to stop. :rotfl:

When I was 19 and at uni my stocking from my parents consisted of a new toothbrush, toothpaste, some noodles, toast toppers and other "practical" things. I told them not to bother the next year. It was mainly so my sister, who was 9, didn't have to open her stocking on her own.

tesuhoha

Why not compromise instead of giving them a big bag of presents, help them to grow up by putting a few nice well chosen presents under the tree. You can still buy them some presents but give them in the way that adults receive them.

ailuro2

Lil_Me wrote: »

toast toppers

haha, did they take that out the cupboard at the last minute or what?:rotfl: Hope you ate it!:p

floss2

msb5262 wrote: »

You could always tell them that the cut-off point is 21 - that way, this is the last year for DD1, and DD2 will have 2 more years. At least 21 is traditionally the official age of being an adult.
Must admit that I would have stopped both at 18 but you've missed that window of opportunity!

We stop buying presents for "children" whether mine or neices / nephews at 21. By then they are adults & generally living away from home / at uni.

BTW, I am also a £50-ish tops spender on my two sons (both now over 21) - main gift of a gift card + smellies / socks / choccy orange!

[Deleted User]

we all give each other gifts for <£10. Its a challenge that we started four years ago and is the best ever. Everyone gets several gifts but most are hand made and so extra special

We stopped buying lots of presents for the children when they got to 18 and we wanted to also stop them spending too much on us later in fife so started the £10 thing

csh_2

tesuhoha wrote: »

Why not compromise instead of giving them a big bag of presents, help them to grow up by putting a few nice well chosen presents under the tree. You can still buy them some presents but give them in the way that adults receive them.

I receive them in a stocking lol so does OH!

kindofagilr

smartpicture wrote: »

I suggested maybe it was time to stop having a bagful of presents, and just get one expensive one - the money's not really the problem, it's more the time & effort required, especially as each present is traditionally individually wrapped! DD2 says that's not fair because DD1 will have had a big bag for 2 years longer, but it doesn't seem fair for DD1 to sit and watch her sister open loads of presents either - but by that argument, it's never going to stop!

I think this is an awful sentence. The total wrong meaning of Christmas in my opinion.

Do they work?

Once me and brother started working we all agreed (mam, me and brother) on an amount to spend on each other, that way its fair.

jonathon

msgnomey wrote: »

£200????????????????????????????????????????????????

each????????????????????????????????????????????????

blimey, my DD will think she was brought up in the wrong house!!!

1 big pressie £20-£30 and a stocking with bits

£50 total TOPS!!

I have got a netbook for my son 16 and stepdaughter 24 for christmas £269 each,My other 2 older kids dont talk to me at all so thay get a gift voucher about £30 each