How much on Christmas spending?

Bestthingsinlifearefree

I think if the adults can agree amongst themselves that christmas is for the children and adults do not need to buy other adults christmas presents that is one way forward.

I have always been happy to proceed on that basis even though I did not have children (though this christmas is our first with our darling baby boy:j )

bride2be2006

immoral_angeluk wrote:

Depends who we're buying for. Our daughter's presents have probably come to about £70...and we're planning on spending about £30 on each other... but anyone else will be getting something for under £10 this year.

Our daughter will be getting mainly clothes (stuff she needs) and a few small surprises, probably to the tune of around £100, we are only getting each other one present, boxed set of Cold Feet for me and 24 for oh, will get on ebay (hopefully nice and cheap!)

We have told everyone we are sticking to under £10 per gift so if anyone decides to spend more thats their choice!! Have bought most things now, Matalan are really good for gifts this year.

CAFCGirl

Must admit I'm doing xmas on the theory of "the thought that counts" and "well they wont know how much I paid for it".

I've got a collection of bits and bobs for people, which will work for my family, they love that kind of thing, but my BF's family are very much money people, not that they have much, but at xmas they do go overboard, and almost try to outdo each other.

I've got token presents for his grandparents. His sister and his parents I've spent a bit more time and effort on, but not necessarily money if that makes sense.
I'm also getting them some items from my new place of work to bulk it out a bit, but for next to nothing.

With my family they know I dont have much money and they are very much happy with anything I give them. Altho I think I'll do the same for my mum as above, bulk it out with some products from my new shop.

Other than that I've bought for one friend, my sets of grandparents, and my two uncles and thats it. And none have had more than £10 spent on them.

Imelda

I am having a bit of a dilemma this year as I am usually very generous with presents, last year I spent about £200 on my OH and £100 on each of my parents. My OH is no problem, he wouldn't care if I spent £10 or £1000. But it's my parents. They know I earn good money, they don't have much and I usually buy them essentials -I bought my Dad some lenses for his glasses last year as he had been walking (and driving) with a broken one for 2 months. This year my mum has asked for a new winter coat (she has had the same one for about 10 years) and has seen one in M&S, it's £90, and I don't think I can deny her that. She went without for years bringing me and my sister up and I feel I ought to repay her in some way.

tesuhoha

Imelda wrote:

I am having a bit of a dilemma this year as I am usually very generous with presents, last year I spent about £200 on my OH and £100 on each of my parents. My OH is no problem, he wouldn't care if I spent £10 or £1000. But it's my parents. They know I earn good money, they don't have much and I usually buy them essentials -I bought my Dad some lenses for his glasses last year as he had been walking (and driving) with a broken one for 2 months. This year my mum has asked for a new winter coat (she has had the same one for about 10 years) and has seen one in M&S, it's £90, and I don't think I can deny her that. She went without for years bringing me and my sister up and I feel I ought to repay her in some way.

I think thats a lovely thought. Sometimes your heart tells you to do things. it is nice to spoil your mum while you have the opportunity. It sounds as if she doesnt spend on herself if she has had the coat for 10 years. I think you should buy it. I dont have parents/parents in law to spend on anymore and I miss seeing their faces when they opened their presents. £90 isnt that much for the pleasure it will give. I know this is a moneysaving site etc but its your mum, isnt it? Shes special and deserves her new coat.

cathybird

Imelda wrote:

This year my mum has asked for a new winter coat (she has had the same one for about 10 years) and has seen one in M&S, it's £90, and I don't think I can deny her that. She went without for years bringing me and my sister up and I feel I ought to repay her in some way.

I agree with tesuhoha, it's a lovely thought, and what's more your mother sounds like a frugal person who will use the coat for the next 10 years, thus getting value out of it (whereas sometimes cheaper clothes fall apart after only a few uses and so end up being more expensive overall, if that makes sense ...) The alternative I suppose would be to tell her you really can't afford it ... which is also fair, if you really can't. Go with what you think is fair...