Kids! This is where all my money goes!

smilermonkey

Start saving for teenagers, it doesn't get any better

Tell me about it! I only have one yet there were 4 of them here yesterday eating their way through the cupboards, even my pack of instant custard disappeared (but was only 11p Tesco value!). Then 2 had dinner with us. Today they were all here again, but just as i started to feel the relief that they were off to raid another mums cupboards, as mine goes out the door she shouts out she needs a black swimming costume by Tuesday...ARGHHH

inkie

With regard to the trips - isn't it a voluntary donation. Now, in my book voluntary means 'if you want to'. With regard to the cards - I have a box of plain cards, and craft stuff, and when the kids need a card for a friend, they make it themselves out of the box, is a lot cheaper and keeps them happy for a couple of hrs too. Prezzies - I keep things in - pick things up in poundland or in the sales for occasions such as these.

Bambywamby

Know the feeling - a week back at school and I have got a £16 school trip to pay for, a £10 school text book (that isnt compulsary but for GCSE study its important all the children can revise at home - so I have been told) and the school has a new system where you bank money with them via the internet for the upcoming school dinners, trips & books and that costs a minimum of £10 to open. (however I shall not be doing that)

looneyleo

Oh my! I have all this to come...DD just started school on tuesday last week...have been lucky so far...£10.00 on pressies does sound a lot though. Must admist I scour car boots/charity shops/Boots reduced section/freebies board for pressies all year for parties and have averaged at £2.00 per party. It's hard going though and I hate it but just can't afford a £5.00 gift per party.

Snaggles

As a Mum of a son who has just had a party, I can safely say that the smile on his face from running around and laughing his head off with his mates for 2 hours was worth far more that the presents that people brought. His school friends are a mixture of well off families and not so well off, and not everyone brought a present - was my son bothered? No! Did he even notice? No! So if you can't afford a present, don't feel bullied into taking one, and don't worry about what anyone will say (chances are they will say absolutely nothing). And if someone only send party invites out just to get presents then their opinions aren't worth worrying about anyway.

Bambywamby

I agree if you can't afford it dont do it.

When I was young and my mother was struggling to get by - we would go to parties (in our bestest party dresses) and hand over a birthday card and a big bag of mistrels/malteasers/jellys etc and that would be it.

Nobody ever batted and eyelid or made a comment. Its the party and the atmosphere they all love at the end of the day.

postingalwaysposting

Snagglepuss wrote:

As a Mum of a son who has just had a party, I can safely say that the smile on his face from running around and laughing his head off with his mates for 2 hours was worth far more that the presents that people brought. His school friends are a mixture of well off families and not so well off, and not everyone brought a present - was my son bothered? No! Did he even notice? No! So if you can't afford a present, don't feel bullied into taking one, and don't worry about what anyone will say (chances are they will say absolutely nothing). And if someone only send party invites out just to get presents then their opinions aren't worth worrying about anyway.

pounds_and_pensive

I always just buy something from the pound shop for party presents. Whether or not other parents do this when their kids come to ours has gone unnoticed, and everyone in the circle is still invited to the same parties every year, so it can't be that big a deal.

Unless as-yet-unheard-of gossiping behind my back about what a skin-flint I am is all part of the fun of the occasion

irchy_mum

I have a £5 per present rule for kids parties etc and we have a Card Factory shop near us which sells cards from 29p and handmade cards for 99p and great pressies for £2.

Also have various 'clubs' subs to pay this week-hate the beginning of term so skint!

rog2

tsharp wrote:

Sell the kids.

Mine think that the answer would be for them to sell me!:rolleyes: