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

onlyroz

Well I personally wouldn't buy clothes for a child or teen as a present unless they'd specifically asked for something. Most children just wouldn't be interested, and most teens would presumably be mortified by whatever their uncool parents thought was fashionable.

I also think that whatever age you are, at least one of your presents should be something "fun". My mum buys me all sorts of weird things for presents - the most memorable one last year being a giant roll of cling-film from Makro, because she thought I'd find it useful. Erm thanks, mum - not quite sure what you had in mind, but I'd probably have preferred a record token, or something...

My mum also has a habit of buying me things like massages, make-overs or pedicures - neither of which I'm in the least bit interested in - but I don't have the heart to tell her...

This Christmas will be a lego-themed Christmas for my kids. My son is stocked up on Lego Atlantis, and my daughter is getting a Duplo Dolls House. Things are a little complicated because my daughter's birthday is December 29th, so we have to be aware that my son might not like seeing his sister get twice as many pressies as him. As for the amount - I've no idea, but probably more than I originally intended...

joshieg3011

JC9297 wrote: »

I understand that he is aiming his main complaint at people who CHOOSE not to spend much when they can afford to, however he uses the word failure in several posts when talking about not having much to spend e.g. your children will think you are a failure because you can't afford things or he would feel a failure if he didn't have money.

But to go back to the original thread, there are threads like this every year and they always go the same way. I am intrigued as to why the OP wants to know anyway, if you are happy with what you spend why do you need to know how it compares to others, who will never have exactly the same circumstances anyway.

I am the OP and was unaware there were threads like this every year, going the same way. Silly me.....

Anyway, as I said in my post, I was only asking as I was curious as to how much people spend at Christmas. I have friends who spend £5.00 on their child, another spends £600.00.

And I am very aware that everyone's circumstances are different, but thank you for kindly pointing that one out.

Lunar_Eclipse

flea72 wrote: »

but children should get given fun stuff, not practical ones.

As far as I know, this isn't a well known fact, etiquette or rule regarding Christmas or children, but simply your personal opinion (which clearly you're entitled to and I don't have any issue with perse.)

The issue I have with that statement or point of view, is that it's incredibly subjective.

How do you define practical?

One of my children is very artistic and spends a lot of time, on a daily basis, drawing and making things (crafting) so one could argue that new art supplies are practical, as opposed to fun (she would certainly think a new lego set was more fun than new pens) but I don't agree that it would be mean to buy her new supplies as gifts, plus (as I've said before) there are art supplies that are luxurious and definitely a treat, and those that are basic and more everyday.

For example, I have learnt never to buy cheap felt tip pens; they are a waste of money!

MrsE_2

SingleSue wrote: »

I personally feel the right way is to buy to what we can afford...whether that is £1000 or £10.

Neither is better or worse than the other (as in being spoilt or being neglected).

On a personal level, I DO feel a failure for not being able to buy more and it is certainly not a case of one upmanship on my part for the small amount I spend. In fact, I feel embarrassed by it.

*Probably why I am so ultra sensitive about the issue! :rotfl:

Couldn't answer you last night I had tech trouble.

Its bad enough for parents feeling as you do about xmas presents without people who haven't spent that much throwing every spend in there as well to big it up!

Its just a double whammy & thats why I made the point of suggesting people separate regular or essential household spends, so more parents didn't feel like "everyone else is spending more" & "am I the only one who can't afford it for my kids", I just wanted a bit of realism;)

MrsE_2

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

Actually, I'm always open to persuasion. But I do have strong feelings that there are deep rooted problems in society that will only get worse whilst people believe that their worth is centered around material goods.

It's the parents being labelled as "failures" when, in fact, they may well have made a conscious decision to opt out & live a little differently I take issue with.

No one is labeling them as failures but themselves:(

The perfect amount to spend on your kids xmas present??????

Whatever suits your family budget:T

MrsE_2

onlyroz wrote: »

Well I personally wouldn't buy clothes for a child or teen as a present unless they'd specifically asked for something. Most children just wouldn't be interested, and most teens would presumably be mortified by whatever their uncool parents thought was fashionable.

I also think that whatever age you are, at least one of your presents should be something "fun". My mum buys me all sorts of weird things for presents - the most memorable one last year being a giant roll of cling-film from Makro, because she thought I'd find it useful. Erm thanks, mum - not quite sure what you had in mind, but I'd probably have preferred a record token, or something...

My mum also has a habit of buying me things like massages, make-overs or pedicures - neither of which I'm in the least bit interested in - but I don't have the heart to tell her...

This Christmas will be a lego-themed Christmas for my kids. My son is stocked up on Lego Atlantis, and my daughter is getting a Duplo Dolls House. Things are a little complicated because my daughter's birthday is December 29th, so we have to be aware that my son might not like seeing his sister get twice as many pressies as him. As for the amount - I've no idea, but probably more than I originally intended...

I thoght you were MissE until I saw you had kids:rotfl:
Anyway MissE is interested:T
She got me the fish pedicure as one of my birthday presents (its the lastest thing!!!)

http://www.zoolafish.com/

Only we have to go to London for it:(

SingleSue

I'm another one who loves to receive vouchers for a massage...I absolutely love the me time a massage gives but unfortunately, it is rare I can afford it. So I ask my parents for a gift voucher (usually for my birthday) so I can have a heavenly chocolate body massage.

I come out a new woman! Well, I feel like it for a few hours until the world intrudes on my calmness and less stressed out persona.

They don't mind me asking as they prefer giving me something that they know I will use for me rather than money I will spend on the family, or a gift which is an essential for the house.

kegg_2

SingleSue wrote: »

I'm another one who loves to receive vouchers for a massage...I absolutely love the me time a massage gives but unfortunately, it is rare I can afford it. So I ask my parents for a gift voucher (usually for my birthday) so I can have a heavenly chocolate body massage.

I come out a new woman! Well, I feel like it for a few hours until the world intrudes on my calmness and less stressed out persona.

They don't mind me asking as they prefer giving me something that they know I will use for me rather than money I will spend on the family, or a gift which is an essential for the house.

I am the opposite and it would be a waste as i would shove them in the back of a draw and forget about them. Neither would i like a magazine subscription. an experience day or hamper of any sort. But i would be happy with socks, slippers or anything pratical that i might need .

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

MrsE wrote: »

No one is labeling them as failures but themselves:(

The perfect amount to spend on your kids xmas present??????

Whatever suits your family budget:T

Unfortunately, one person did. :cool:

SingleSue

kegg wrote: »

I am the opposite and it would be a waste as i would shove them in the back of a draw and forget about them. Neither would i like a magazine subscription. an experience day or hamper of any sort. But i would be happy with socks, slippers or anything pratical that i might need .

And that is why life is so brilliant...we are all completely different.

I am a very practical person, virtually all my requests will be for practical items but one year, my parents saw how stressed I was, saw how any money they gave me to treat myself went on the boys or the house and decided they needed to do something which they knew I would enjoy and which would give me a few stress free hours where I could be completely indulgent.

It took some convincing originally (I am a stubborn begger) but I gave it a try and found it recharged my batteries enough to get through another few months, until I started looking really stressed, grey and harrassed again.