How much do you spend and what do you get for your childrens Birthday presents???

chivers1977

Just found my son's go-kart on ebay for £20 2nd hand! Now I'm happy!

Andyf33

Maybe i have instilled core values that has taught them that they have to play/study/work hard for what they want in life but birthdays and christmas is (for me) a time to treat the kids. The money isnt a lot in relation to what we (mainly the wife) spend on other things.

Im just pleased i didnt mention some of the other things we have done on a whim for the odd birthday here and there

SammyD_2

Andyf33 wrote: »

Baby had very little (say £100), .

:eek:

Very little! Not in my book! On a baby (especially the youngest of four who presumably has access to all the toys bought for older siblings!).

We spend £50 maximum on our six and four year old, each. We will spend a little more on our son's next birthday as he wants a desk for his bedroom. We also buy at Christmas a family game and family jigsaw - this year, junior monopoly. As for childrens entertainers at a four year olds birthday - really?

I fully expect a rash of replies saying it is an individual choice. Of course it is. But I want to raise children who understand that money does not grow on trees, and who don't just see pleasure in consumeristic consumption. In particular, I want kids who might see the value of a party as having the company of friends rather than party bags and entertainers and loads of presents.

I should add that we do this from choice, not because we can't afford to spend more.

csh_2

Andyf33 wrote: »

Maybe i have instilled core values that has taught them that they have to play/study/work hard for what they want in life but birthdays and christmas is (for me) a time to treat the kids. The money isnt a lot in relation to what we (mainly the wife) spend on other things.

Im just pleased i didnt mention some of the other things we have done on a whim for the odd birthday here and there

I spend roughly what you do and DD has a big party every year and why not if I can afford it.
If your own Mum and and Dad can't spoil you at birthday and Christmas who can?

However I'd found its better to steer clear of threads like these as you just end up getting a slating. People seem to want to outdo each other about who spends the least on their kids and seem to be looking for a pat on the back for getting change from a fiver.



OP its irrelevant who spends what, just spend whatever you feel comfortable with and can afford.

mrcow

When my children were 4, I got them bikes or scooters for birthdays.

Ebay - for under £20. They loved them.

For Christmas, they get one present - about £30 or so (although my son had more spent as there was a present he really wanted which was more) plus a stocking with fun bits and pieces in.

Anything more is ridiculous.

To spend £350 on a 4 year old for Christmas is a serious waste of money. At aged 4, they couldn't care less. More than one present is a little overwhelming anyway. What are you going to do with all that old crap you've bought? Stuff it into your house and then what? Spend another £350 next year? Sounds like my idea of consumerism hell.

yummymummy79

It's definitely an individual thing, but I must say what annoys me is friends spending hundreds on their kid's xmas/birthdays but then for the rest of the year saying how they can't afford xyz. If you have money and you're happy with buying your kids loads of expensive stuff then why not I suppose, but don't then whine about having no money for other things!

Personally I go for about £30 for birthdays and £50 for xmas, but then DS has plenty of other people to buy stuff for him including his dad's family (we're not together) who seem to think that buying lots of presents = love.

keys_2

csh wrote: »

I spend roughly what you do and DD has a big party every year and why not if I can afford it.
If your own Mum and and Dad can't spoil you at birthday and Christmas who can?
OP its irrelevant who spends what, just spend whatever you feel comfortable with and can afford.

Thankyou , I have less money this year and after different views off my friends in the past I thought I could get some ideas on what maybe money saving on here , whilst also finding out what best works for others .
As I also have been considering getting a magician or something for dd's birthday this yr or next yr , as I have toyed with this idea because I thought it may be more memorable for her whilst aslo enjoyable for her friends of all ages too . And the main reason being she does have plenty of toys and would prefer to spend my money on other things but I am undecided on what exactly .

I would like also like to add at this point I do not buy her anything else in the year apart from clothes and shoes when she needs them , so I to oalso take the opputunity to spoil her a bit on the 2 days of the year mentioned and as she is the only child , I do realise things may have been different for her if she had other siblings .

I appriciate everybodys opion on this , as all comments are making me think more wisely on what to do

Andyf33

£100 on a baby is not a lot. A couple of baby grows, vests and a few soft toys can easily cost you a £100.

What is so wrong about having a magician perform at a 4 year olds party? He was great and the kids (and adults) loved it - money well spent on all round entertainment in my book.

Finally, it is possible to treat kids once or twice a year and also instill an understanding of the value of money.

fernliebee

Personally I don't spend a lot on DD as we just don't have the money (I refuse to go into debt for things like that) So it would vary depending on what we have at the time. Also have a baby due a week after DD bday so whatever we have saved for christmas and their birthdays will have to be split between them. I make what I can and DH does the same (eg Dh built DD a beautiful cot for her dolls for xmas) so she gets quite a lot of presents for her money. I am also of the school of thought that I would rather invest in good quality toys than buy loads of tat! I love things that can be built upon and usual presents (for DD and friends kids) are books, duplo, brio, fancy dress etc...

All that said, don't be made to feel guilty for what you spend. If you are in a situation where it is putting you in horrific debt, maybe you need to revise your choices, however if you can afford it I don't think it's a bad thing to buy lot's for your children. You can make them understand the meaning of money in other ways, just because they get spoiled 2 days a year does not make them spoiled children. If you have strict boundaries throughout the year, and they understand that what you spend is YOUR decision not THEIRS! Ie presents can be requested but it is down to finances what they actually get, children may well make greater demands year on year, but that doesn't mean you have to listen.

keys_2

chivers1977 wrote: »

Just found my son's go-kart on ebay for £20 2nd hand! Now I'm happy!

Great ..Nice one ... I find ebay cheaper for some toys also , so ive banned myself from looking recently lol