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

SingleSue

The best present I ever got as a child was a walking tall doll, around 3 foot high and from the local second hand shop.

I still have her now.

littlerat

As a kid Amounts have varied for my brother and I - I think most years it's around £100 - £150 each from Dad, but thats largely depending on how much he can save - if something major comes up in November we may well get less. I suspect he may end up actually spending more if he was totally honest!

When growing up we always had less than most of our friends - but we grew up from aged 7/9 with Dad on disability benefits and Mum ill so my parents couldn't afford a £300 console and such like some, that's life. I can say that at 19 I couldn't tell you what I got for my 2nd birthday - or my 10th. In fact I could probably only work out a couple of years worth.

I also sometimes got a bit practical pressies and we also sometimes had things before the day as we got older - I got a wii last year (probably the most ever spent on me! And yes it was very very lavish for us!) and had that early, as at 18 I was old enough to be ok with not having something giant on the day. I think that was joint birthday and christmas too, but I can't actually remember!

To be honest though isn't it obvious someone living on 10k a year won't be able to afford the same presents as someone on 40k a year with no mortgage left?! My Aunt's kids do get way more spent on them than we used to, but I'd not say they're much happier really at christmas as to be honest presents only make up a small amount of the day anyway.

minerva_windsong

I don't know if it counts as we're 'adult children', but my parents spend about £150-200 each on me and my two sisters, plus about £50 on each of my brothers-in-law. That's normally one big present at the cost of about £50 and then a few smaller things, plus stockings and tree presents.

I don't remember being bought clothes as a child - in fact I only remember one Christmas present I got, a bike when I was about four or five - but now it's not unusual for us to ask for clothes at Christmas. This year my sister has asked for boots and a cardigan, and I have asked for a dress. We've also got presents before Christmas a few times, I think my most recent was a jacket a few years back because my mum wanted to check it fitted OK.

I'd have no qualms about asking for a 'practical' present if it was what I really wanted - it isn't quite the same but for my birthday before I went to uni (two weeks before term started) my present from my parents was a trip to Ikea to pick out the stuff for my room in halls and kitchen bits, and my sisters bought my first term's books. I do say that I don't know what I want for Christmas when asked because I don't need anything, but then my mum says that it's not about what you need and it's OK to ask for frivolous things as well. OK it means you might not get as much as your siblings on Christmas Day, but I'd much rather have my practical present to make use of and then a couple of small things to open than loads of junk I didn't really want.

My approach is that people should spend what they want to and can afford on Christmas (presents or otherwise), and that it's their money and their business. As long as you're not getting into debt with it and your kids are aware money doesn't grow on trees and they won't always get everything they want, I don't see why how much you spent or didn't spend matters. If your kid wants one £10 toy and nothing else, and you can afford that, fine - I know some people feel a bit guilty spending that amount (I know I did when that was my budget, because I felt like a cheapskate) but if it's what they want and what you can afford then there's nothing wrong with it. Equally, if your kid wants a £300 bike or games console or whatever, and you want to and can afford to treat them, also fine.

Kids don't know or care what stuff costs, they will be happy with whatever they get, and just because you're not spending a certain amount of money - whatever the figure in other people's heads is that's too much or too little - doesn't make you a bad parent or a Scrooge in any way. Your money, your business, you do what you like with it.

Morty_007

(I can't even be bothered to look back at your disgusting, ranting posts to remember your name to be honest but you know who you are.)

I chose to spend the amount I spent on my son because I don't want him to have everything he wants instantly...he can learn to wait and earn and save thanks!! I don't spend money on fancy holidays or cars...or extravagant presents at Christmas that he doesn't need...I'm putting my money away so he can go to university in 15 years...call that selfish? Think i'm making him unhappy now? I'd rather that than make him desperate in 15 years because he can't afford it and we can't because we bought him all the latest greatest gadgets every year at Christmas. My son has LOVE, all the love in the world and he wants for nothing because of it. No amount of toys/gifts makes up for that...maybe you need to think about that? Call me a miser if you like but i'm proud of being in control of my senses and my finances. Like another poster said, you have ruined this thread. Happy Christmas.

UnderPressure

dear oh dear here we go with all the excuses again where do I start?

I know I will stop being lazy and go back and do some multi quoting then there is no need to be bothered to remember peoples usernames

Back in a sec

gingin_2

UnderPressure wrote: »

Oh dear f you are going to try and "hit back" at least have the decency to read my threads properly.....................

Your posts are exhausting to read and I honstly can't make sense of what point you are trying to get across. I keep going back to them but it's still not getting any clearer.

Chocolate oranges were on sale at our pound shop ..... for a pound.

jackieglasgow

I spent £1.42 on Ds1 and £1.43 on DS2, bought them a bag of water balloons each and a bag of minstrels for one and maltesers from the other. I am not mean or miserable, I just thought they'd like them


This thread is a load of nonsense, I kind of see where Under Pressure is coming from without agreeing with his point, but from both sides - he did manage to upset a whole lot of other posters with much the same comments a couple of weeks ago. Its the competitive edge that bothers me, there's the people who want to look as if they are spending as little as possible and being as frugal as possible versus the ones who are not restricted by bidget, each one casting judgmental glances at the other, and in some cases thinky veiled b1tchieness. There is no need for this type of thread, and every year it ends up the same Shame it can't be avoided on here, when we're all meant to be supporting one another.

UnderPressure

shellsuit wrote: »

And there are too many kids who are spoilt rotten, who are ungrateful and who don't even use or play with their gifts.

Your kids, by your own admission!

Is it better to spend a small amount of money on a child for Christmas, or to spend thousands on gifts that will hardly get looked at?

You do know what a sale is?
You do know what a glitch is?
You do know what a loophole is?
You do know what a freebie is?

Just because someone says they have only spent £50, doesn't mean they will be getting crap, if they have sourced goods from the list above, a kid could have some cracking presents!

Yes know all abou sales and glitches even then 50 quid does not buy a lot certainly none of the "desired" items children want anyhow.

tiamai_d wrote: »

Amazon blackfriday were doing wii's and xbox's for £50.

I don't think there is anything wrong with spending £50. It's the ones on here hwo have went off on one about others spending more than £50, buying highchairs, furnature and clothing for Christmas. That what annoys me.

More like Amazon Doomsday! These were yet more of the item that were so low in stock they sold out in seconds leaving a LOT of people very unhappy!

zcrat41 wrote: »

Wow, don't normally reply to threads like this but felt I needed to.

I don't have kids yet but our family then to do about £100 on each child (officially I'm still the kid till I have kids!!!)

But just felt the need to say Christmas is about so much more than presents. Jesus being one of them. No, I'm not some raving evangelical Christian but I think its what its about.

Yes yes yawn yawn we have already established it is customary for good christians to hand out bibles and holy water fine they are your kids if you think this is "providing the best for them that parents can" then go ahead it is you that will have to answer to them 1 day.................

UnderPressure

SingleSue wrote: »

The best present I ever got as a child was a walking tall doll, around 3 foot high and from the local second hand shop.

I still have her now.

Awww thats nice, my partner had loads of dolls when she was a kid most of them are in our loft now after our own daughters play with them now and again I love old presents like this it shows that at the time that doll meant an awful lot to you.

I wonder how many kids save presents from their 50 quid sacks to share with their own children one day............................

Morty_007 wrote: »

(I can't even be bothered to look back at your disgusting, ranting posts to remember your name to be honest but you know who you are.)

I chose to spend the amount I spent on my son because I don't want him to have everything he wants instantly...he can learn to wait and earn and save thanks!! I don't spend money on fancy holidays or cars...or extravagant presents at Christmas that he doesn't need...I'm putting my money away so he can go to university in 15 years...call that selfish? Think i'm making him unhappy now? I'd rather that than make him desperate in 15 years because he can't afford it and we can't because we bought him all the latest greatest gadgets every year at Christmas. My son has LOVE, all the love in the world and he wants for nothing because of it. No amount of toys/gifts makes up for that...maybe you need to think about that? Call me a miser if you like but i'm proud of being in control of my senses and my finances. Like another poster said, you have ruined this thread. Happy Christmas.

You invited me to so OK YOUR A MISER!!!

LOVE is important yes absolutely but so is being able to hold your head up and be "equal" to your peers saldy we no longer live in the forties times have moved on quite a lot.................

If you have to save for 15 years to send them to uni then mmmmm maybe you have not fulfilled your lifes potential? It seems an awful shame your kids should have to miss out on presents kids actually want in favour of further education still at least you teaching them the value of saving :eek:

Oh and Merry Christmas to you to :cool:

Plans_all_plans

You can criticise me and my beliefs all you want: it is water off a duck's back.

Happy Christmas UnderPressure, I hope your children are truly happy with their presents this year. Happy Christmas to the rest of you on the thread too and I hope the rest of your children are equally happy on Christmas Day too.