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

MrsE_2

bestpud wrote: »

Don't blame you!

Maybe you are analysing it more because it's such an alien concept to you?

I do think you are reading too much into it though. Giving practical gifts to children is not considered odd at all in many families so we don't even think about it iykwim?

There is no ulterior motive as such - it's just the way we do things...?

For example, I had a food mixer for my 18th birthday and was over the moon with it. I didn't see it as odd but some people looked like I had two heads when I told them that was my main present.

It depends on the child and their age, obviously, but it's not necessarily a terrible thing to do.

I've got my DD a practical present (won't say what it is, you never know whos reading;)), but she's 23.
I just found the idea of giving small children practical gifts a little odd.

Lunar_Eclipse

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I feel very sad to hear that. You really shouldn't feel like that. It is only advertising that makes people go mad en masse at Christmas.

Your children don't need to be showered with gifts to be loved and I think that as a society we would do well to remember that.

I know that; I would actually go so far as to say that they have no bearing on each other. I know it's in my children's interests, both in the short and long term, that I do not buy them excessive amounts of stuff at Christmas.

Perhaps I phrased it badly. I certainly have no intention of either spending more, or voicing that thought to anyone. My point really is that based on my own spending, I assume that people who spend say £400 on their kids at Xmas, thus earn in the region of 200k upwards, which if we're honest is probably not the case (statistically speaking) about those who have replied to this thread. So is it really the norm for people who earn up to say £50k to spend so much on their children at Christmas? I think it was more that line of thought that made me think that my children probably get less than the majority of their friends whose parents earn less. That's all. And it goes beyond choices I think. Or maybe that's just it.

To be honest, I don't really care as I've never been in to possessions and can't bear people who talk money (in real life) and what they 'have' etc. I quite like the nicely spoken, well educated, high earning Poundland brigade myself.

Lunar_Eclipse

kegg wrote: »

Nor should you feel that you should spend more just because it is my choice to. You probably spend you money on things i never would but and it is that which makes people different. We are all entitled to make different choices and it would be a very boring world if we all thought/did the same.

I won't. I've always been very happy to swim against the tide.

You're right. We spend an insane amount of money on flights and holidays every year, in a frugal MS way of course!

tiamai_d

We just save like mad all year. We have two big blow outs, Christmas and out 1 week summer holiday. Birthdays they get small things or a party and they only get what they need throughout the year.

Lunar_Eclipse

Tiamai - That reminds me of another good point.

In general, we spend more on birthdays than Christmas, because it's their special day and not Christ's.

Thus an expensive gift such as a new bike, iTouch etc, would be bought for a birthday, but not Christmas.

flea72

shellsuit wrote: »

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?

what is there to reply. you said you only buy clothes and furniture, because there is absolutely nothing else your child wants or needs

F

shellsuit

flea72 wrote: »

what is there to reply. you said you only buy clothes and furniture, because there is absolutely nothing else your child wants or needs

F

You said...

The kids have everything they want, mobile phones, Xbox360, PS3, laptops, Flat screen tellys, DVD players etc, so it's not mean to just buy clothes and furniture for them as there isn't anything else to buy them which they would want.

and therein lies the problem. if a child of 13 has everything they want, that they have to resort to listing furniture as a gift, then does that not ring alarm bells, as a parent?

I replied, No, why should it and was waiting for you to explain why it should.

And where did I say I only buy clothes and furniture?

There was nothing else son wanted for Christmas apart from clothes.

There was nothing else daughter wanted for her birthday apart from furniture.

If they needed something, I would buy it regardless of whether it was their birthday or Christmas, so what does that have to do with anything?

I don't get the point you were trying to make about my kids not wanting anything else than the above and alarm bells, so perhaps you could explain what you mean?

kegg_2

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I won't. I've always been very happy to swim against the tide.

You're right. We spend an insane amount of money on flights and holidays every year, in a frugal MS way of course!

Nothing insane about holidays:T
We love ours but due to family commitments we only get to go away for 2 weeks of sun a year. If things were different then i would be away every school holiday:rotfl:

tori.k

Slightly off topic but my teenage kids have just been given a wonderful gift this year by my sister she brought a smile for another child via operation smile UK.
all 3 say its a fantastic gift.
we have never gone overboard with christmas with our 3 and like many we dont subscribe to getting "debt for one day"
We are not a religious family by any stretch of the imagination kids but have always done the school shoebox appeal but the conversation i had tonight with DS2 prompted me into posting as when i asked if he really minded that he wasn't getting an actual gift from his Aunt, his reply has made me the proudest mum on earth he states.

" its what christmas is all about mum, this year everyone is skint so its more important then ever that if we can we help out someone who can't help themselves, its not about stuff or God but human community"
he's now running with the idea and putting a facebook group together trying to get his school mates to ask there parents to give up one of their christmas gifts and donate it to one of the christmas charities, so i thought id post the same on here and ask that instead of comparing the cost of what we spend on our own child how about we take one of those gifts and pass it on to another not as avantaged as our own.

your.asda.com/.../our-christmas-gift-appeal-launches-to-infinity-and-beyond
https://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

Thank you and sorry for taking this off topic

poet123

We spend in the region of £400 + per child (or adult, as 3 of them now are!) but we buy things they will use, not rubbish just for the sake of buying. Yes, we have a high income, but we dont spend thoughtlessly or needlessly. For birthdays they get much less, £50 or so, Christmas is the exception because it has always been a big deal to us, a family time, and we do indulge them. They dont expect it though, I do it because I enjoy it.

Each to their own, if we couldnt afford it, we wouldnt do it, and no one is doing it wrong, everyone does what they see as right, which is as it should be.

ETA We do do the shoe box appeal and will also drop of a toy at Smyths for less fortunate kids.