Baby Christmas Money - what is it for?

Becles

The money my children have had has been spent on things like toys or other treats or put away in their savings accounts.

I wouldn't think of spending it on clothing or baby equipment unless the giver specifically said it was to be used on that. My grandparents used to do that as they liked buying clothes, but hadn't a clue about sizes or what would be of most use. I used to buy things and then dress the boys in the clothes when we visited so they could see what they bought.

My ex's parents gave my eldest a large cash gift when he was 8 months old. We put some in the bank and used the rest to buy a swing frame for the garden. They were cross about that and said we'd wasted the money.

The eldest is 14 now and the swing is still going strong and is well played with. He still plays on it along with my two younger children and countless friends who've been in the garden over the years. Certainly had our money's worth out of it :money:

mumslave

A lot of my family pay money into my kids trust funds at special occasions. Money that was given this year bought the girls a wii game, two dressing up costumes and bath crayons. The boys it bought extra trains for masons chuggington set and the baby a new baby einsten dvd, that he loves. If i am given money directly it is spent on the children and i make sure those whom give money are told what it has been spent on.

I dont see anything wrong with using money given if you are very hard up for whatever reason, but I do agree that it should be returned when able.

cte1111

My DD receives money or cheques sometimes for presents. I usually pay it into her savings account and then if there is something that she wants later on in the year then she can put this money towards it. She's spent her savings on her new DS and also Brownie uniform.

You could argue that we should be paying for these kind of things but I feel that she is getting a valuable lesson about how much things cost and how beneficial saving is.

If I gave a friend money for their child's present and they spent it on household costs because they were short of cash, then I think I would be fine with that too. I've seen from people's threads on here how short some families end up sometimes and anything that helps in those circumstances benefits the whole family.

kegg_2

bestpud wrote: »

The giver has no rights to that money once they hand it over.

They are, in effect, giving money to the parent to distribute as they see fit.

No they aren't or they wouldn't give it in the babies name.
There is a difference between saying heres a £100 for baby for christmas and
heres a £100 for you for christmas.

If it is ok for a parent to spend a childs money anyway they see fit is it also ok for an older child to help themselves to money from the parents purse as after all it is all family money?

No i thought not

mirrorimage0

melorablack wrote: »

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

the childrens child benefit now goes towards paying for thier after school activities such as swimming, cubs,boxing and gymnastics ,it does not cover all of it though. when they were a lot younger and i worked less hrs the child benefit went towards thier clothes and day to day living

Joannag_2

perhaps in the thank you letter put " Thanks for the money towards mummy and daddy's car".

If you are not comfortable telling them than that tells you something. Then the giver can decide whether thay are happy to give cash next year too!

kegg_2

my child benefit just about covers his trains fares to school

Morty_007

I wondered when the CB arguement would raise it's head. I'm sorry but the whole Child Benefit arguement does wind me up. I don't apportion the money in my account that way...If I did my child would be hungry and naked most of the time, not to mention filthy dirty (because £83 amonth diesn't come close to meeting all their needs)...and thats before you start talking about taking him swimming, to the play centre, trips out with the nursery...nursery... FGS what parent DOESN'T spend £83 quid a month on their child. Just because one can't tell you which penny went where doesn't mean it wasn't spent on the child.

pigpen

I don't think I spend £80 a month on any of my lot.. though I don't add it up.. If the money is available they get what they need if it isn't they wait until it is... I think the baby currently has most spent on her.. and she gets maybe £25 a month at best.. Or maybe DS2.. £26 bus fares for school plus a mediocre amount for new clothes (gotta love sales and quidco) The 2 boys get £1 a week for church club and that's it. Heating, water, house I'd need anyway so isn't additional.

Back on topic.. I put money for children in their accounts.. if they want something desperately enough I can trot all the way to the end of the street to the bank and withdraw the cash.. usually I just budget for something and buy it anyway leaving their money alone.

DS1 used his baby money as a deposit for his house.

Lynn11

DD got given some money from great granparents for christmas and we went shopping to the disney shop and bought a lovely sweatshirt for next winter, a wee toy (which she loves) and a new cup - plus she has some money left over which will eventually go into her big bank account. I think that I have spent this wisely on some clothes and a nice cup as well as she loves her toy - she is a toddler.

I am sure that most parents who use the money in emergencies will replace this when they have a wee bit of money later in the years.