Baby Christmas Money - what is it for?

gill_81uk

I have read this with interest as I have received money for my LO. When I mentioned to my Mum about putting some in savings she felt strongly that I should use it to buy something he wanted/needed as this is what she intends when she gives money to a child. I've compromised and done a bit of both as he really doesn't need toys to the full value of the money.

I have also been guilty of the example above where I have bought a toy that my baby was ready for developmentally knowing that he was going to receive some money that would cover the cost. I don't see why he shouldn't be benefiting from it for the few extra weeks...and what difference does it make as long as that money has been spent on something for him?

skintchick

nottslass wrote: »

If someone gave my Baby an item of clothing it would be up to me as a parent to decide when or if he wore it,likewise if he received a toy its up to me to decide if its suitable for him to play with.


If someone gives a gift surely its up to the recipient to to what he or she likes with it ?
In the case of money why doe it necessarily have to go straight in the bank as savings ?



My Children don't have bank accounts so any cash given to the 8 year old is his to spend on what he likes - usually a new X box game etc

This Christmas knowing that my 11 month old would receive more toys than he could possibly ever play with we asked the Grandparents is they wanted to contribute to a new car seat - which IMO is a much better present than lots more plastic tat that will never get played with.

But this is the crux of it. In YOUR opinion. Not the child's. A child would never choose to buy a car seat instead of a toy. So money given to a child should be spent on something the child would choose for itself, if you don't put it in a savings account.

Money given for DD is either put in her savings account, or spent on toys or books for her. This year her Christmas money will go on some garden toys for spring, as she loves them and we've not been able to afford any thus far. But I wouldn;t put the money towards my food bill, or even for a household item for her to use (like a highchair) as she would never choose to buy that sort of thing over a toy or book.

LilacPixie

we just put ours in savings accounts for the kids.. it then just sits there. TBH they have more than enough so it is just saved until a time when something comes up that needs the money

kegg_2

my soon to be 13 year old is desperate for an ipad. He has more than enough saved in his savings account to buy one tomorrow but for years he has been taking his christmas and birthday money and putting it in his account. By doing so he has learnt how to save and that it takes alot of saving to make the numbers go up, so now even though he really wants the ipad he doesn't want to spend his savings and has started a seperate savings account with his christmas money to buy it. He knows that when his birthday comes around next month he will get more cash and by adding that and doing a few extra chores for the next few weeks he will not be far off the total needed.

Bit long winded but i think by saving his money for him and involving him in that saving it has taught him good habits that will stand him in good stead all through his life.

ethelsmum

My lo has had money for xmas as family didn't know what to buy her - approx £60. She also has quite a bit from when she was born. Family/friends did say to me they wasn't sure what she wanted/needed etc so gave us money to get her something.

We needed some baby monitors so I was going to put some of her xmas money towards these but oh didn't think we should use her money towards this so we didn't. With my eldest 2 I have always put at least half the amount in their savings and then used the other half to buy them anything they needed. If the person giving the money had asked what lo needed I would have probably told them to get them what I bought with the money anyway IYKWIM.

balletshoes

lesley74 wrote: »

I'm just curious. What do people think it is acceptable to do with money that a baby is given for Christmas or other occasions?

A few people I know have said they are buying things that I just don't agree with. One a highchair with baby's christening money, and the other a car seat.

Mabye I'm being stuffy....but I think it should go into baby's bank account. I'd be quite annoyed if I discovered money I had given to a baby was spent on something that should be paid for by the parents.

My opinion is, if you give money for baby's presents/occasions, its not up to you how it is spent. Its up to baby's parents whats done with it.

balletshoes

melorablack wrote: »

Out of interest, what do you all do with your child benefit?

My sister always saved hers when her boys were little, and used it to buy Christmas and birthday pressies. Mine is included as part of the monthly household budget (which also includes my daughters dance class fees, swimming lessons etc etc).

Miss_Orangey_Goodness

balletshoes wrote: »

My opinion is, if you give money for baby's presents/occasions, its not up to you how it is spent. Its up to baby's parents whats done with it.

Completely agree - I have been given money for my child and it has gone towards a new stroller/winter coat/new bed - or put into his savings account by us if there is nothing he needs at the time.

They have so many toys bought for them. The money is given to us from relatives for us to get "what he needs" i.e. a new stroller/winter coat as "he gets so many toys we thought we would give you the money instead".

If they said "heres some money for his savings account" I would put it directly into his savings account. I have given the family/friends the details for his savings account to put the money directly in there should they wish. If they haven't then its up to me/OH as to how its spent. If you are the person giving money to a parent for their child you should say "heres money for their savings account". If you havent said that specifically then you cant really grumble as far as I can see...

I would then tell the said relative/friend what their money went towards. If they dont like that (not that they would tell me) they can buy him a toy the next year!

penelopedee_2

Its difficult when siblings have children. Sometimes the easiest way not to upset anyone is to give money for the children. Plenty of times I have been asked to give presents that we just can't find or afford. So it is awkward from both sides of it.

Sorry I should also of added, I have found in my particular circumstances if we buy a present that wasn't on the list then it either goes back to the shop or we get grief for months. It's difficult.

Tulip09

One year as a kid (about 10/11 my brother was 7/8) my mum and dad were skint and struggling to pay bills etc and we knew we couldnt have much and excepted it at Christmas. My mum's mum was dying (she got buried just before christmas day and lived with us, parents had to pay), so the house was pretty miserable at the time tbh. My dads mum turned up the week before Christmas and gave us £150 each with a catch (LOL we could have been millionaires). Catch was we had 1 hour to spend it in, in one shopping centre or we had to give it to the charity people on the street. Obviously we didnt want to give the money away, my brother ran to woolworths and bought a cheap toy car about £2 and spent the rest on pick and mix. I ran to mothercare (nearest shop) and bought purple boots, purple dungarees (maternity - didnt know that at the time) and a purple hat - lmao, and then to woolies for pick and mix! On Christmas day we didnt have traditional dinner, we had soup and my parents had some chocolate, parents were skint & upset, deep down we knew they didnt have any money- i got a blackboard & a chalk and an apple as presents, never asked for either from santa, Christmas was really horrid all round. Talking to my mum as an adult now with kids of my own i can see her thoughts on Christmas is ruined and will never be the same again. My gran refused to give her the money to let her spend it where it was needed - food and wanted gifts. I wanted a sindy house which was huge but because of my grans need to dictate where money was spent our Christmas day was weird and really not appreciated at all and if im honest as a kid i thought we would all starve to death etc.

Gifts are gifts no matter where they are spent, the parents will know best how to please the child and should be allowed to use that knowledge in the best interest of their child. You give a gift of cash, you shouldnt have the right to dictate how it is spent on the child as you dont know the circumstances that they live in. You can suggest but you dont have the right.