How much do you spend on your child's Christmas?

flea72

tiamai_d wrote: »

I got my bedroom decorated for my birthday. Maybe my 15th? It is what I asked for. By that age my bedroom was my castle. It didn't need decorating but I wanted this cool raspberry colour for the walls and a load of midnight blue voile for arround the window (I was a gothy type). We painted my wardrobe with black paint and then metalic gold was sponged over the black (done with carrier bags). I got a sun, moon and stars sofa bed for the corner.

Lasted longer than a watch. I appreciated more than a watch. I loved it, my own personal space in my own taste with my own stuff.

Took my parents 3 tins of paint to cover up that raspberry!

birthdays are different to christmas

i have no objection to buying practical stuff for birthdays. but christmas is more about the thought behind the present, and the sentiment. christmas presents should be a surprise, and the recipient shouldnt be involved in the purchasing.

i also think you shouldnt get christmas presents until the actual day, but then again, i dont think i would want to have the step ladders, brushes and masking tape out on christmas eve/day either, so perhaps thats why i dont even want to think about suggesting decorating their bedrooms to my kids, as a crimbo present, its too much work for me lol

F

tiamai_d

flea72 wrote: »

ok, if a child is too young to know about presents, then why do the parents have to dress it up that their high chairs are christmas presents

just buy the highchairs when your child is old enough to need one, and use it from then onwards

on christmas day, if you want to do the whole christmas thing so you feel that twinkle yourself as the parent, then buy gifts, not practical things the kids need anyway

one rattle, will be enough for a baby to be entertained for months. heck, most babies are happy to just play with the wrapping paper as its bright, and makes a nice noise, so you dont have to spend any money at all, under the guise of doing the christmas thang

F

Why does it matter to you so much?

Nobody is buying you a highchair, so it's okay.

If you want one though, I have an IKEA cheapie upstairs that needs a new home. I can put a bow on it.

shellsuit

flea72 wrote: »

do those children who ask for furniture, come up with the idea themselves, or do the parents suggest, that if they really want that expensive stuff, then they will have to wait til christmas? Does it matter? If they have a wardrobe that doesn't need replacing, do you think parents should just buy new ones for the sake of it? What's wrong with furniture being a gift?

do they then, not get given the furniture until christmas day?

also, if they get given the gift early, do you then not feel guilty on christmas day, that they have visibly less presents than their siblings - i take it if the furniture is their main present then they wouldnt be getting anything more than stocking fillers on christmas day, so just a few nik-naks that dont cost much? or do you still feel you have to give something showy on top to save disappointment?

do the kids get arsy too? they know they had the furniture, as they asked for it, and at the time it seemed a really good idea, as they got what they wanted, but still, do they not feel a bit meh on christmas day if you havent conveniently 'forgot' about buying the furniture -i know i would lol.

F

The furniture was put up for her last weekend. She will get a little something else to open, but that's her lot and she knows it.

flea72 wrote: »

birthdays are different to christmas

i have no objection to buying practical stuff for birthdays. but christmas is more about the thought behind the present, and the sentiment. christmas presents should be a surprise, and the recipient shouldnt be involved in the purchasing.

i also think you shouldnt get christmas presents until the actual day, but then again, i dont think i would want to have the step ladders, brushes and masking tape out on christmas eve/day either, so perhaps thats why i dont even want to think about suggesting decorating their bedrooms to my kids, as a crimbo present, its too much work for me lol

F

Who said anything about furniture for Christmas? I'm the only person who has mentioned furniture and I'd already said it was for her birthday.

You also asked me what that made me feel as a parent (or something to that effect), but you haven't replied to my response?

MrsE_2

KiKi wrote: »

We established that the highchairs thing was for babies who were 6 months old.

Look at it another way, perhaps those parents have very little money. As they have to buy clothes and highchairs anyway for their kids, if they buy those for Christmases when the kids are too young to remember then it saves them additional money they'd have to spend otherwise. Perhaps they can't afford more than the basics and are doing their best not to get into debt.

Families work differently. You say (below) that it's up to the parent what they spend, so perhaps don't be too quick to judge those parents on buying necessities when their kids are still under the age of 2 and won't know any different.




How cynical! I doubt it (plus, take out the clothes etc and it's still lots of money spent!). I know SO SO many very young kids who LOVE clothes! Girls, I admit. But one kid at my church Christmas celebration today (who's 6) told me that she's asked Santa Claus for a new Boden dress. She wears Boden on a day to day basis already, but she's SO into fashion...!

I asked another one of the kids who's 4 what she asked Santa Claus for and she told me quite specifically that "I've asked for nothing. I haven't met him yet". :rotfl:

KiKi

I have no problem on earth with parents buying highchairs or clothes or anything of that kind for their kids at xmas.
But them using essential purchases to "beef up" how much they have spent & possibly make parents who have spent less feel bad, thats what I have a problem with.

mich13x

MrsE wrote: »

I have no problem on earth with parents buying highchairs or clothes or anything of that kind for their kids at xmas.
But them using essential purchases to "beef up" how much they have spent & possibly make parents who have spent less feel bad, thats what I have a problem with.

are you being serious? this is an internet forum where people can say what they like and no-one else would know a blind bit of difference so surely if people wanted to "beef up" what they spent they would use something more spectacular and exciting than clothes lol.

And frankly i think the only people trying to make people feel bad about what they spend or what on is yourself and flea.

Plans_all_plans

MrsE wrote: »

I have no problem on earth with parents buying highchairs or clothes or anything of that kind for their kids at xmas.
But them using essential purchases to "beef up" how much they have spent & possibly make parents who have spent less feel bad, thats what I have a problem with.

As if anyone would have such low self esteem that they'd feel a bad parent over someone else buying a highchair for their kids and giving it to them at Christmas?!!

How bizarre! I actually think a lot of people who spend a little on Christmas presents for their children could afford more but don't want to spend more.

I certainly don't feel bad or envious that others are spending more on their children than I am!

balletshoes

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

How bizarre! I actually think a lot of people who spend a little on Christmas presents for their children could afford more but don't want to spend more.

I certainly don't feel bad or envious that others are spending more on their children than I am!

Yep, I'm one of those - could spend a whole lot more on christmas pressies, but won't, as I've got what DD wants, plus a few surprises. I also don't feel like I need to spend more to keep up with anyone.

I agree with whoever it was who said that there are going to be a lot of very lucky and happy kids this Christmas, no matter how much was spent on them.

kegg_2

I dont see buying clothes as beefing up christmas presents. I have bought my sons quite a few bits of clothing, some of which they need and some i just think they would like. I have filed their santa sacks with socks and pants as well but where i would normally buy sports direct socks and pants i have bought topman with some fancy designs on.

balletshoes

Lets face it, the amount of underwear/nightwear ranges which come out in time for Christmas when you don't see them any other time of year, suggests a lot of folk get them as christmas pressies .

Lunar_Eclipse

bestpud wrote: »

The opposite for me, if anything, I think.

Id prefer to say I spent less and tbh wish I was able to buy one or two things.

I just find I can't - probably because mine never have much throughout the year so there is always loads of things I know they'd love.

They don't get a lot from elsewhere either though so that makes a difference, I think.

I certainly wouldn't feel a better parent for having spent loads - my personal opinion (just mine btw - not saying it's right at all) is that most of us on here have spent far too much and should rein it in.

I can't speak for others but I have heard parents bragging about the things they've bought in a way that suggests they think it makes them a better parent.

There is no right or wrong though - we each must do as we see fit.

I agree with this.

Additionally, I'm also beginning to feel that we're unusual in not spending hundreds of pounds on each of the kids (on what though?), given our income, compared to what's normal.

BUT I do this so that they are 'wowed' by their main Xmas gift, avoiding it being over shadowed by loads of other gifts. So a bike and a £10-20 stocking makes for a happier child than also adding a pile of other items, in my opinion.

I consciously have to stop myself buying more; it's so easy to do!