what is acceptable??

littlerat

From the other side of this (well OK I'm 18 now), this christmas was unusual as my Dad spent about £300 each on my brother and I, which he saved up. Most times though it's more like £100 each, we often now get 1 pressie and some cash (and get cash from grandparents too) so we can buy what we like. We've had mostly cash since before our teens, as nobody could afford to spend lots so we got money so we could save and buy ourselves anything special.

All I know is you shouldn't spend more than you can afford, that doesn't really help anybody.

lauren_1

It changes yearly and its never the same for each child

last year dd got a ds lite, 5 games, baby annabel, hsm mp3 player, DS got a Thomas the tank engine die-cast set of all engines, play table, track set, igglepiggle scooter, easily £200 for ds when added on stocking fillers.

this year dd got a dolls house from freecycle, pjs and a few books, ds got a bike off freecycle, thomas colour in set and pjs and a play forte from asda. £50 each, if that for dd.

they were equally thrilled each year.

i shed 14 stone of dead weight since last christmas..might have helped my purse slightly

ManOnTheMoon

I don't put a limit as such on it, but try and buy things of a similar value for all of my girls each year. I don't know the limit until i've bought the first ones presents for that year, and girls wouldn't really know (though my conscience would) but I wouldn't be scared of buying expensive gifts if the time/item suited it.

I don't have too demanding kids, so it helps. I'd hate to have a child that demanded all the up to date gadgets all the time.

Sarahlou_2

Curious_George wrote: »

I had a girls world... if its any consolation they ALL end up the same way...
with felt tip make up and a wonky crew cut!

I wanted a Mr frosty and hungry hungry hippos.... never got them

Sorry everyone, but had to join in here. I SOOOO wanted Mr Frosty, every single year I circled it in the argos catalogue but to no avail..... and I wanted a Fashion Wheel....sigh........................... cruel parents lol!

I did however have a my little pony perfume puff palace

WolfSong2000

jasperconran wrote: »

Hi all,

thanks for all the quick responses. It wasnt my intention to offend/upset anyone, and if I did I apologise.

I was just curious as to what other people do with their kids when in debt, cos I am sick and tired of my DH feeling guilty if we dont get our DD alot of stuff!!! its ridiculous, she isnt bothered, she is a good kid and doesnt ask for alot at all. Its just him!!!! he needs to get these stupid ideas out of his head, that if we dont spend alot, its wrong or something!! I need to retrain his way of thinking lol. anyway thanks again for your responses, its appreciated:)

my father is like this and I am now 23. It really isn't necessary for kids to be bought a lot of stuff - as others have said, half of it is never played with. I remember the Christmas before last, my father was asking me what I wanted for christmas (same as last year, didn't need anything), and at a push I said if he came accross any interesting antiques in his travels (he travels abroad a lot for work) then that'd be great...I ended up with an antique sudanese tribal shield, which is apparently made of hippo - the thing is quite big and no idea how he got it in the country. lol. But he seems to have this need to "buy stuff" - not sure if he's feeling guilty about something or what, but it was unecessary as a kid, and it's the same now - I'd much rather have less money spent on a day out for us to just hang out together - we had a great time last year visiting a museum exhibition in London that I wanted to see, for example. I remember that experience more than most of the (random) stuff I received for Christmas.

dizzyb99_2

We tend to limit to 40.00 for birthdays (less if we can, depending on what the present is) and 150.00 to 200.00 for Christmas (although I never set out to spend this much.
My DS was 13 on Sunday and said he thought he might like an LCD tv for his birthday :eek:. I suggested he might like 40.00 from us, birthday money off other people and extra chores around the house to earn the rest . He was fine with this and between Christmas, birthday, pocket money and saving he has just got his television and is actually quite proud that he has bought it himself

Shelldean

I have four children and spending on xmas and birthday varies from yr to yr, but i do try and spend similar on all four.

This yr DD17 wanted a guitar cost £80 also gave her £120 in cash. ( She hasn't actually got this yet as she is waiting for jans wages)

DD1 14wanted a netbook, £200.

DS2 14 wanted a PS3 he was given £200 towards this he was made to find the diff.

DS3 11 Also wanted a netbook

They also have various small items which always inculded PJs socks and pants. Probs spent 240 on each child.

However my kids are my world and cos of finances this yr, we've cut back on the extended family we've brought presents for this yr.

Am also unfortunate that the kids birthdays are Sept & Oct, OH is also Oct adn mine is Nov. So it's a really tight time of yr for us.

But I'm very proud to say this yr is the first we've not resorted to credit cards:T But both netbooks still have to be paid for :eek: ( argos card)

Last yr 2008 xmas we brought the whole family merlin passes and the kids got mimimal gifts

2007 we brought a trip for the family to Spain, none of the kids had ever flown and we thought this was a good idea. also meant we got to use the passport that had cost the earth the previous yr. Again token gifts.

2006 a trip to eurodisney, as the kids had no passport this really worked out expensive. The kids got their passports and a brochure wrapped up that xmas :rotfl::rotfl:plus a couple of tiny gifts.


We do try and think of different things that means the kids will experiance things they wouldn;t normally be able to do. We could never afford Eurodisney or Spain plus the xmas gifts. hopefully they'll look back and appricate it

Shelldean

Forgot to add last Sept/Oct birthdays they all received £50 in either gifts they requested/wanted or cash, or a combination of them both

JBD

I spend about £50/child per birthday. Christmas varies, we have had a couple of good years so probably around £300 at least for the 2 oldest. I didn't spend so much on my youngest as I didn't know what to get her due to her being autistic, so I am going to make up for that in the Spring by buying her a really good quality swing. I haven't looked into the prices yet. Next year will probably be back to normal so will probably have less to spend. Will probably not get into debt though , in the past I have used catalogues/provident loans to buy them decent presents.

red_devil

Ivrytwr3 wrote: »

my work colleague has 3 children 9, 12 and 17, they got approx £600 each spent on them last xmas! It was also the 12 year olds birthday in January; he got a £400 laptop!!

We spent about £200 each, which i think is still a lot (and they got a load more gifts off friends/family!)

blimey what will she need to spend next year people always have to go one better, rod for own back springs to mind?