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

Lucy1973

I dont want to have a go or anything,but I do think its odd buying toddlers/young children clothes for christmas. Surely its a necessity and not a treat:undecided
Its different once they hit their teens and they want designer stuff as opposed to cheaper alternatives????

bestpud

fletch3163 wrote: »

Hi everyone

I paused before joining this thread but here goes anyway..........

I am one of 10 children and got very little at Christmas. In fact, growing up in the 70s even a compendium (tiddlywinks, snakes & ladders, etc) was seen as a luxury. So, I had ONE child and I shower him with attention, love and material items.

My husband and I work a lot and we live a (normally) very frugal life. We don't drink, smoke, go out and our lives revolve around each other. My son doesn't get gifts from other sources (other than some money from nana and a gift I buy for granny to give).

I sometimes wonder why I end up "apologising" for the fact I've spent almost a grand on my son (who's 13), and I even think of actually lying:o. One coworker who has a daughter a little younger judges me saying I'm spoiling him and how ridiculous it is but I don't judge her weekends away (festivals, girls weekends, etc), regular socialising, etc so why should I be judged for choosing to spend my money differently. It's not credit, it's real money and I saved it!

Sorry for what turned into a rant. I sometimes feel it gets a bit like reverse Beat the Joneses

I do feel for those who can't buy more and I respect those who won't pay more. I kind of hate how I justified it BEFORE I said it but I did that to be sure you all knew it's absolutely not bragging.

I think each unto their own as I said, but I do have a reservation when I hear parents saying they work hard and give their child the best.

It's my issue I know, but we had all the material possessions we desired as children and were the envy of some friends. What we didn't have was quality time with our parents, as they were always working.

I see my sister following the same pattern with her children and it makes me so sad because I know how much she hated our parents not being around.

I give less to my children - they have little all year round (including clothes) but I do give them time.

Coming from that background, I'd say it's the time you spend all year round that matters more than the goodies on Christmas morning.

I'm sure you already do this - I'm just explaining why my heart sinks when I hear parents say they work hard to give their child lots of material goods.

Lucy1973 wrote: »

I dont want to have a go or anything,but I do think its odd buying toddlers/young children clothes for christmas. Surely its a necessity and not a treat:undecided
Its different once they hit their teens and they want designer stuff as opposed to cheaper alternatives????

I think this one comes down to family norms tbh. I always had clothes for gifts and have always done it with my children so it seems normal to us iyswim?

If you are from a family who never do that then it will seem odd.

My children are always excited with their clothes but, like I say, I don't buy clothes on a regular basis - they have what they need and little more. My children have only ever had school shoes, home shoes, play shoes and wellies for example, and dd(9) has her iniform plus about 4 outfits in total in her wardrobe.

It would be less exciting for children who regularly go clothes shopping, I guess?

bestpud

I waffled a lot in my last post, without really saying much - sorry

What I was trying to say is we are each influenced by our own experience, parenting style, income etc and so it's impossible to do direct comparisons.

I hope everyone has a good Christmas and is able to do what works for them

LillythePink

We've got DD an xbox kinnect, a few games and a few cds, a calander, bath set and the rest is clothes.

She is almost 11 and doesn't believe in santa anymore so it's easier to give clothes as presents. She did need the clothes, so ahve probably spent around £400 on her.

Her birthday is a month after christmas, so am probably going to get her vouchers for HMV/New Look

Lunar_Eclipse

Lucy1973 wrote: »

I dont want to have a go or anything,but I do think its odd buying toddlers/young children clothes for christmas. Surely its a necessity and not a treat:undecided
Its different once they hit their teens and they want designer stuff as opposed to cheaper alternatives????

A lot of things can be a necessity or a treat, depending on the specific item.

Clothes are everyday, basic items in the same way that toiletries are, yet I think of Clarins and Chanel as treats, but don't feel the same way about Nivea, personally speaking. And we all have our individual opinions on where the line is drawn.

Likewise, a festive top with a very short shelf life, or lovely new outfit from Boden or Monsoon, is not the same as buying a child a new plain t-shirt from Tesco. Additionally, if the basics are covered, then by definition, excess becomes a luxury, hence a treat. A lot of parents agree that their children have too many clothes (or toys), so regardless of their age, if they see a new top that they'd love to have, then it becomes a treat, on the basis that it is definitely not needed.

So whilst we don't really buy our children clothes for gifts, last year mine did get a much wanted £30 nightie each, that was way beyond my normal budget for such items. Everyone considered it a treat and they were delighted with it as their present from their Great Grandma (bought by me.)

I also think that people, including children, who are 'really into clothes' do appreciate them as gifts. I have one child who would not appreciate clothes as a gift (how boring!) as much as the other who likes shopping, fashion and clothes generally.

When money is tight, it also makes sense to buy necessities as gifts.

I'd hate to think there are children out there with a new iTouch, who have nothing but socks with holes in them. Gosh I sound old!:rotfl:

System

I don't have children, but most of my family and friends do. They all say the same, they buy their kids clothes and some small gifts...because they know the kids will get spoilt rotten with toys off everyone else.

I too think it's totally acceptable to give your kids clothes as presents, we did when we were younger. Its not that you are buying them just enough clothes to wear, your giving them extras. Maybe those nice trainers they've been eyeing up, or the branded t-shirt...I totally get it!

As long as everyone spends within their means I don't see what the problem is how it is spent...it would be a boring world if everyone done the same thing

bazzaboo

After a not so great christmas last yr. I spent a fortune on my 2, well a fortune in my eyes. The kids are 2 and 3 and I spent about 150quid on each. When I wrapped them up recently there were so many I felt I was spoiling them big time.
Also I had a thought that if I already get so much for them at an early age they will expect more and more over the yrs. So next year I won't go overboard.
I didn't pay full price for any of their toys though thanks to the grabbit board.

bestpud

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

A lot of things can be a necessity or a treat, depending on the specific item.

Clothes are everyday, basic items in the same way that toiletries are, yet I think of Clarins and Chanel as treats, but don't feel the same way about Nivea, personally speaking. And we all have our individual opinions on where the line is drawn.

Likewise, a festive top with a very short shelf life, or lovely new outfit from Boden or Monsoon, is not the same as buying a child a new plain t-shirt from Tesco. Additionally, if the basics are covered, then by definition, excess becomes a luxury, hence a treat. A lot of parents agree that their children have too many clothes (or toys), so regardless of their age, if they see a new top that they'd love to have, then it becomes a treat, on the basis that it is definitely not needed.

So whilst we don't really buy our children clothes for gifts, last year mine did get a much wanted £30 nightie each, that was way beyond my normal budget for such items. Everyone considered it a treat and they were delighted with it as their present from their Great Grandma (bought by me.)

I also think that people, including children, who are 'really into clothes' do appreciate them as gifts. I have one child who would not appreciate clothes as a gift (how boring!) as much as the other who likes shopping,
fashion and clothes generally.

When money is tight, it also makes sense to buy necessities as gifts.

I'd hate to think there are children out there with a new iTouch, who have nothing but socks with holes in them. Gosh I sound old!:rotfl:

Lol I should add dd(18) buys her own clothes now as she is working, so she isn't getting an iPhone in place of new socks! :eek:

Know what you mean though! :rotfl:

ticklepenny_2

my two penneth..

As a kid I would get knickers and socks in my stocking just to bulk up the amount of presents to unwrap. I'd get PJ's and a dressing gown under the tree. I will be doing the same with my dd but then I like to see alot of pressies under the tree and cant afford alot. This year I have spent £50 in total on DD, including stocking and tree presents.

It really is a case of each to their own, I'm just slightly envious of those who aren't as limited (green eyed monster will go away now lol).

Bunnie1982

I've been reading through this thread with interest, I haven't got children yet so unable to contribute with regard to that.

From spending time with my brother and my nieces and nephews I have come to realise how very little money can actually buy quite a lot. My brother has got 4 to buy for and he does tend to get some really nice presents from ebay, carboots etc (as well as from mainstream shops) the kids don't know any different and they seem very happy with their lot.

Typically I spend around £10 each on my nieces and nephews because money is tight, but they always seem to appreciate whatever we buy. Last year we filled up a huge tub with different sweets between them all because we were struggling for money and they loved it.

I'm curious to see what the "norm" big presents are for children of different ages.