How much do you spend on your kids at xmas?

kittiej

jtr yes this is a good point -'what's relevant to my budget' which is why I have pulled myself up a bit when I compare how much I spend on food for the month, and if that's the case why am I thinking about spending more on Christmas?

It's so easy to get carried away lol.

Kulafey

I can't imagine spending 200 pound per child! I always spent around 70 each and then a bigger thing like a wii, or when they were younger a big trampoline between the 3 of them.
I don't really know if I would spend more if I could easily afford it - I really hate how christmas is so commercialised and that kids just associate it with getting presents, but then it's nice to see the excitement on their faces, so I'm torn.....

Siobhan

niceday999

Kulafey wrote: »

I can't imagine spending 200 pound per child! I always spent around 70 each and then a bigger thing like a wii, or when they were younger a big trampoline between the 3 of them.
I don't really know if I would spend more if I could easily afford it - I really hate how christmas is so commercialised and that kids just associate it with getting presents, but then it's nice to see the excitement on their faces, so I'm torn.....



Siobhan

gosh £70? what ages are your children ? i seem to spend much more the older they get

kittiej

Just a little update.

I've managed to get a Kidizoom camera with all the accessories including the backpack off ebay for £25, seeing as though they're £50 in Argos without the bag I'm really pleased.

The eldest has said he wants one now as well so I'm going to look out for another that way there won't be any fighting.

Has anyone seen any cheap hot water bottles anywhere with covers on? That's the next thing on my list.

Threebabes

Well we spend loads of christmas on the kids. I save from Jan - Dec to enable this. This year my DS has chose a bmx which is £340 and thats without the other bits we will buy him. He loves the bmx hes got now which he saved for himself but wants more of a action type one with smaller sprocket etc so he can do stunts and he also rides it to school. The girls will have less spent on them just because DD1 has chose a wii fit board and DD2 needs a new bike which is about £100, she is 6. Ive so far bought the girls underwear & pjs in the M&S sale. Got them a new dressing gown each in the littlewoods sale. They also do alright on their birthdays as well. I love buying for them whether it being clothes, shoes, toys, dvds etc :-). They get a main presents and then smaller presents. They aren't brats either I often get complimented on them and how nicely behaved and well mannered they are. x

VK-2008

i dont have kids but what i would say its about what you can afford, dont go in debt and dont compare yourselfs to friends/family or "the jones" so to speak

what matters most is you are together and have family
my parents i would say spend about 600 on me and my husband combined each year and thats us left the house but they are in a position to do that

pinkmum2010

I’m spending up to £250 on each of my daughters (5 & 6),. I’ve bought most of their presents today online to capitalise on the Tesco points being offered with the launch of their new catalogue. I spent £402 and got 3302 points so that’ll make £132 in deals, so the way I see it I’ve only spent £270 and I had 2 x dsi with 2 free games, 2 x mp3 players and some toys, so I think they’re just about done now.

babyshoes

In terms of cameras, we bought tesco cheapy ones for about £20 to give to teenaged cousins a couple of years ago, and the picture quality was brilliant, the zoom adequate for a happy snappy, and the storage was also adequate. The cameras came in bright colours, so one got red, the other blue. The case was metal, not plastic and they were easy to use. I would happily give one to a child aged 7+, if I was buying a present for a child that age.

The pound shops often do hot water bottles and covers at the start of winter, but buy them when you see them as the ones left over tend to be manky colours or nasty fabric. (Furry, mustard coloured nylon with puke green bows, anyone?)

I don't have kids, but looking around pound shops, wilkos etc I would have thought you could easily buy all your 'stocking fillers' for around £50 and fill a large stocking or sack to overflowing!

One nice tradition in our household when I was growing up, was that we got something we were never allowed to have during the year because it is just so bad for you, but so yummy too - a tin of condensed milk. That naughty Father Christmas! He just wouldn't listen when my Mom asked him not to bring us such unhealthy stuff... My brother and I got quite tactical about it after a while, putting one tin on to boil into caramel during the day, and opening one to start on before breakfast so we got the best of both worlds - and a mega sugar rush!

kittiej

Thanks for the replies.

I bought another Kidizoom off ebay for £29 and it's like brand new, I need to buy a bag for this one though.

We've also bought 2 of the Kidilook digital photo frames so fingers crossed they will have loads of fun.

I got a laptop for £88 as well so I just need to get stocking fillers now. If anyone knows where I can get Horrible Histories stuff cheap can you give me a shout please as I don't go High Street shopping, I think the last time was 2 years ago.