How much will you spend on your children at Christmas?

Jet

Having been on the old style board and been reading the Xmas support thread, it's got me thinking about Xmas. :rolleyes:

Sorry to all those who don't want to think about it at the moment!

I'm a single Mum with one child and not very much family to buy for. I will be buying some token gifts for my friends children.

I was just wondering, what will you be spending on your own children this Xmas, friends children and your close family.

TNG

Far too much.......

Christmasshopper

When my son was little I used to spend vast amounts of money on him. Then one year I hit on hard times and only had £30 to spend on him. I was very upset because he didn't seem to have much and I wondered about borrowing money to get him some extra treats. Then my friend pointed something out, and her message has stayed with me for all these years. He had had the same as he had had every year....the best that I could afford.

finc

I don't normally have a budget :eek: as I buy a scaled down version of the wish list and add a few little extras. Unfortunately this has always run away with me in the past so this year I'm setting a limit of £100 each for my kids and a max of £20 per person for family that I buy for.

We're on a mouch tighter budget this year as we've had quite an unlucky year financially. I've been buying a few bits through the year though as they've been reduced.

What do you do if you set a budget and manage to get things a lot cheaper. Would you buy extra or pat yourself on the back for getting a bargain? I sometimes feel a bit stingy when I don't spend the same on everyone even though they've got equal 'value'.

I do know the true meaning of Christmas BTW I just have this dilemma every year!

Miss_Cinnabon

I have always had a budget of 100 pounds for each kid, i have 3, and between 10 and 15 for family, this year i am doing christmas hampers for family, got baskets from b&q, and some bits and bobs to go in them.

magicmaria

Unfortunately £500 each on 3 kids - in a new relationship and my BF has always spent this amount on his 2 kids as they don't get anything during the year, so this year my son will be getting the same as them

comping_cat

I always set out to spend about £150 each, but i always seem to go over that!!!! I try to buy in the sales and throughout the year to keep costs down as well. Like some others, i dont buy them anything much during the year, its just birthdays and christmas that they get given things. (although i supose i do buy them books during the year, but i think thats more educational, so dont always count that!!!)

Miss_Cinnabon

magicmaria wrote:

Unfortunately £500 each on 3 kids - in a new relationship and my BF has always spent this amount on his 2 kids as they don't get anything during the year, so this year my son will be getting the same as them

500 pounds!:eek: thats a bit much! dont they get bday pressies during the year though?

rchddap1

Lets just say that my pressie box has expanded over the year to become pressie boxes....and now a pressie cupboard! Partner has 2 teenage daughters, but I'm expecting my first in November, so things are going to change. The stuff in this cupboard is all sale, free or miss-priced stuff.

The plan is to go through what I have and to start to divide it up. Depending on what is there, and what is missing I will then fill in the gaps. I'm never to strict with spending limits, but do make sure that I don't go overboard.

So far I have something for 2.5 family members (not including the kids).... 1 more item on the way what will sort out someone else. I still have another 3.5 family members to sort out. 2 of those may get something from the pressie box, or will have to put up with vouchers.

I'll be honest and say that with a newborn around xmas won't be high on my agenda.

skylight

Between £50-£100 per child (four of them) - the eldest Step-daughter has moved out, so she'll get £50, the 12yo wants £100 as she wants to save up to buy a new TV, the 4yo will get about £70, and the youngest will get £50 tops. Shes too young to notice.

Perhaps £70 on Hubby, and from £10-£20 per person, depending on whether its my parents or an In-law!!!

CIS

Around £50 each for the two of them, we dont beleive on spending too mcuh on them and they've already got more toys than we have sapce for,and by the time my mother finishes buying for them , we'll need a new,bigger house.