For xmas how much to spend on a 4 year old

Mercenary

We budget about £30-£35 on each of our kids (2 twenty-somethings and one teenager) and about £20 for anyone else in the immediate family only. Token presents really, as we mainly enjoy the family getting together for a few days since, in these times, we all live at a distance from each other.

The trouble is that coming up with something you actually would like to receive is often quite a struggle for everyone.
None of the family wants to give anything that isn't particularly desired (or that will clutter up the house until it goes on Ebay ) just because 'it's for Christmas'..... so we ask, and are asked, what would be fully appreciated as a gift.
It's my birthday soon. I can't think of anything for that either!

I always get quite Bah Humbug about all the useless tat that abounds in the shops in the long run up to Christmas Day. Do people really like this rubbish?

Lillibet_2

lisa_75 wrote:

What is a lot to one person is not a lot to another. £10 is not a lot to spend on a gift to me, no, and a DVD would be a stocking filler for one of my kids.

How I choose to spend my money is my choice. This Christmas has been saved and planned for and I refuse to feel guilty for spending money that my husband and I work hard for.

Thanks Lisa, you are, of course, quite right. What is a lot to one is a little to others, I am not judging you & I'm sorry my post sounded like I was.

bobsa1

:rotfl: I think christams is about being together and enjoying the fact that for many of us it is time off work, shops are shut for at least a day and we have a chance to have a good time.

When I ask my kids the best bit about xmas they say things like going to grandma and grandads on xmas eve and playing games and then seeing family (grandparents, cousins aunts and uncles) over xmas.

Not sure all the adults agree though:rotfl:

pinkpong

I have 3 kids and eversince they were little I would buy lots of second hand toys in very good conditions and wrap them up nicely in boxes. We have no mortgage or any other det, but I would hate to waste money on someting to lie around just for the sake of Christmas.
If your little one is only 4 he will never know that his toys were not new. And you are right mine always liked to see lots of little prezzies wraped up so they could unwrap them. Like gell pens, stationery, little juwlery, clothes that they need anyway, cuttlery, mug and things like that are great for that age. Bought a few second hand bikes and tarted them up and walla what a lovely present in that age thy never noticed, especialy if you take it out the same day it`ll be muddy straight away.
Last year I bought loooads of Bratz on Ebay for my girls (9+11now) the older one knew they weren`t new. But they were sooo happy and gratefull for so many, tey felt very priviliged. Although my 7 year old who never ever played with any toys got 4 boxes of geomag- £100 in value! He had a great big tuntrum as he didn`t think he got as much as the girls. This year he is getting some stuff he actualy wants , but migh not play with, to avoid the same senario.
I hope this helps to some people , specialy the once who really can`t aford the materialistic side of Christmas.

HopeElizzy

Zziggi wrote:

Call me tight if you wish.....

I certainly wouldn't - in fact oh, who was reading over my shoulder, gave an admiring whistle!:whistle:
You've given me some good ideas as my two are 4yo and 2yo.

HopeElizzy

dora37 wrote:

DD presents that she received from friends are still piled up, unplayed with in the Living Room - at the moment she's more interested in putting her wellies on a playing in the garden!

Now that's a good idea - wellies for christmas! At least they'd get used. I think in the case of my daughter I'd better get socks as well. Probably grey ones looking at the white ones that were in the wellies last week:rotfl:

zippybungle

I have 2 Boys (4 yrs and 18 months). I guess that I will have spent less than £100 per child. I buy little things all year and put them away for Xmas. They will both have a lot of good quality prezzies, which have won't have cost me a small fortune. :T

I have bought lots of things in the Jan Sales (Boots and Argos), few things from good old 'Home Bargains', Tesco (board games price glitch) and Woolworths.

3KIDSNOMONEY

my youngest is 3 and this year i have bought him a couple of second hand items in really good condition from car boot sales. He won't know or care that they are used. in the past i have spent too much on my children but especially when they are younger it is just not necessary, unless you are investing in a toy which will last and be played with. My two girls are older and more difficult to buy for and you start to look at more expensive items. It doesn't make you a better parent if you spend more on your kids, its what you make of christmas, making it an exciting and special time. For older children i always think a game is great to buy as it is something you can all play on christmas day. I have lost count of the number of toys that i have bought for christmas and which are unplayed with.
The best thing to remember if only spend what you can afford.

EDMONDO_2

My Daughter is nearly 7 now and every year i get my nothing more than a packet of Balloons and she is very Happy.

chi-chi

I have always spent around £150 on my son - it's varied from year to year. My sisters and I always had a pile of crinkly pressies from our mum and it made us excited. Many people on here have said that the presents won't make the child happy. I don't think that's the issue - the parents are bringing excitement to the child, rather than happiness. My son is well balanced and happy but the presents have always made him excited on christmas day. To have just given 2 or 3 worth £20 like some people have suggested on here would be mean. I've only skimmed through this very long thread but it's dead obvious who's got children and who hasn't!