For xmas how much to spend on a 4 year old

november

When I was less well off than I am now (make that really skint then ) my then small children had several presents, the same amount each, which cost lots of time to find and not much money. They also had stockings of small extremely cheap items. They still had nice 'piles' of presents when the presents from relatives were included. I also used to include in presents things they needed anyway such as quilt covers, clothes, undies etc. More to unwrap. Come to think of it back then I had no debt at all (couldn't have afforded to repay it) so finding things was a challenge I enjoyed over the year.

I now spend £100 each on 2 teenagers and about £20 - £30 on my 'adult' left home child.

Both my 'at home' children have computers. I still stuck to my £100 rule and they got an interest free 'bank of mum' loan to pay for the rest which they paid back over the year.

I don't consider myself mean at all. Oh and yes, I obviously have children. Plus nephews and neices (approx £20 per present) and 2 great nephews/neices (ditto).

Both my teenagers have already done their 'Xmas budgets' to work out how much they can afford to spend on friends and family this year. Seems I did something right

edited to add

All in all I agree with the OP who said spend what you can afford. I've spent far less than £20 some years but my children couldn't tell you which ones. Small children don't know how much you've spent on them. And if you can't afford the latest climbing frame/trampoline take them to the park instead. They'll love it just as much.

I can't remember many of presents my parents bought me as a child. I know they didn't spend that much although I didn't at the time. The things I remember actually are the toys my parents MADE me (I still have a hand knitted tiny teddy my mum made, she also used to make my doll clothes). I also remember being excited and happy and all together as a family enjoying Xmas day. My daughter also has kept the doll's cot my dad made her when she was small. The doll (shop bought by me) has long since bit the dust.

piratess

when i split from my husband i used to overcompensate with my 3 children because he didnt ever buy anything .. which ment £200 plus each ! and considering i wasnt working at the time wasnt good! i ended up in debt etc, Now i have a 18 month old and am living with new DP last year they had £150each and the baby had around £30.00 if that ... this year ive explained to my girls about money they will be having £100.00 each and thats it! they get so much from family our son will get £50.00
The thing is ive asked what they would like and they cant even think of anything! so i would end up buying things to be put in a cupboard for 12 months! ..... so my youngest dd wants some roller blades and a scooter which she will have along with some money for the sales which they both love! and my eldest DD cant decide
I just feel that christmas nowadays is so commercialised and is all about how much somone can spend! think we all need reminding its about family and spending time with loved ones ... (sorry to rant) hehehe ....

scraptrap

We definitely budget for Crimbo. Up to £10 on all close relatives (parents, neices & nephews, brothers & sisters or £15-£20 if doing as a joint present to couples), a fiver on the Nans and any aunties/uncles that we buy for.

Then a max £50 for our DD. Yes part of me feels bad that we can't get her all the expensive so called 'must haves' that kids seem to get recently but to be honest I don't think it's good to spoil your children. In the long run, they don't benefit from it. Just my humble opinion before anyone bites my head off! :eek:

We haven't bought each other Cristmas presents for the last 2 years but then I've been at home looking after DD so there's only one income. Now she's starting school I'm looking for part-time work so maybe pressies for us this year too...YAY! :j

gingin_2

I agree, I only spend around £5 tops on family other than our own children and family do the same with us. I bought the MIL's and oldre rellies beautiful photo frames for £4.50 and we are going to take a special picture of the kids to put inside them and I know they will be so thrilled with that rather than an expensive gift.

Husband and I are having a £10 maximum spend on each other, but will treat ourselves to a bottle of Champagne and some nice ingredients for a lovely meal on Christmas eve after the kids have gone to bed and for me that is one of my favourite parts of Christmas.

Taggie

Each year as the kids have got older, my spending has gone up, last year, they were 8 & 7 and had about £250 spent on each.

I don't buy wasteful stuff, it is stuff that I know they will love, cherish and appreciate. I do try and get bargains throughout the year and lots of stuff on Ebay, that you can no longer buy in the shops.

I don't spend that as a replacement of love as I am always around for my kids, I just want to see their little faces on Christmas day getting more than they actually wrote to Father Christmas for (see they know the value of money) but still being stuff that I know they would want.

This year it won't be all toys. DS1 wants the new Man U kit with Ronaldo on it and DS2 wants the new Liverpool kit with Gonzalas on it (he has the Gerrard Champions League one when it was his birthday instead of a party) They will also get their football teams Duvet covers, hoping Argos will put them on offer. They have previously had a playstation, gameboys and I won't be upgrading them to any of the new stuff as they can just have new games for what they have, despite their friends having all the latest gadgets.

Family only spend £20/£25 each on them, so whilst they still believe in Father Christmas, I want to make their Christmas's magical.

However, I only spend what I have and don't use credit.

Parents that don't have much money, shouldn't feel guilty for spending only what you can afford, if you have taught your children the meaning of money, give them the love they need, then they will appreciate anything you get them. Also people who spend loads shouldn't be criticised for doing that either :beer:

GIRLPOWER_2

I have 3 boys 15, 5 and 4 years.

As oldest was an only child for years and I was bad with money he was always spoilt at christmas... then 9 years later came 2nd child and we did not want him to feel pushed out due to the big age gap so continued with the I would guess about 400.00 budget but as youngest was a baby then it was not so bad as baby only got a few small gifts,,, then number 3 came along but was still not so bad as 2 children were still babies so only had a few gifts.

now babies are getting older and catching on I can not get away with treating them different so I have spoken to 15 year old and explained that he can have 250.00 for christmas now and I still get away spending about 150.00 each on 2 yonger children.

Can we afford it.... NO! Do we do it..YES!

Why? Because we should have started as we ment to go on and now feel we have set a standard set for christmas.

Do I wish it could be different? YES.

BertieMeldrew

lil_me wrote:

...becuase they have got most things they want...

... They don't care what things cost...

Does it not worry you that your kids will grow up with no comprehension at all about the value of money? I hope that you don't find out in time that you have made a rod for your own back by spoiling them like this...

Chocmonster7

GIRLPOWER wrote:

Can we afford it.... NO! Do we do it..YES!
Why? Because we should have started as we ment to go on and now feel we have set a standard set for christmas.
Do I wish it could be different? YES.

So make it different, the only people who can change your lives are yourselves. Your kids won't thank you if you have to go bankrupt just because you promised them the latest toy or gadget.

It may sound hard but you just have to read some of the other forums on this site to see how badly things can work out.

karren

Chocmonster7 wrote:

So make it different, the only people who can change your lives are yourselves. Your kids won't thank you if you have to go bankrupt just because you promised them the latest toy or gadget.

It may sound hard but you just have to read some of the other forums on this site to see how badly things can work out.

i have nothing to give at the moment as was relying on vouchers so am going have to make do and buy things they need rather than want.

Chocmonster7

karren wrote:

i have nothing to give at the moment as was relying on vouchers so am going have to make do and buy things they need rather than want.

How about making a book of promises/treats which will happen in the future?

Depending on their ages it could be stuff like a morning in the park feeding the ducks or a movie night in where you get a DVD and provide popcorn/drinks. A trip to the swimming baths or buying the ingredients for a baking session. Or as someone else mentioned a book of parent taxi vouchers to be used when a lift is needed!

Kids are resilient and as long as you explain to them what is going on I'm sure they will be happy with anything you can give them.