How much do you spend on your child's birthday presents?

bbjohnny

How much do you spend on your child's birthday presents? And what about a party?

mysk_girl

Umm, my DD was 3 last December, think I spent about £40 on birthday and £40 on Christmas. Then her party was a joint one with 3 other friends, we each chipped in £20 and that covered the hall hire, decs, pass the parcel, food and a set of face paints. Fab time had by all.

DS was 1 in march, he got clothes and I spent about £30 on his Christmas present. We're not in dire financial straits, but I don't see the need to spoil them. They do get treats at other times when I see things I know they will like.

I sound really mean now... They don't go without things they need ever, and they do get new toys and books when they grow into them, and I see stuff that is nice.

bbjohnny

Oh my goodness I spend so much more! See I knew I was spending too much, that's why I asked. Thanks for replying x

pinkwitch_2

Depends on age i think, the older my Dd gets the more i have too spend.

Around £300 this year. (She's 12)

She had a sleep over, so no party.

augustsmummy

It depends on what they are in to at that time. This year DD will be 5 and I have spent about £40 on her and giving her my nintendo ds that I have used twice. It will look as though I have spoilt her though as all the toys were in the sale at half price :j.
DS is going to be 2 and I have spent about £30 so far, but what I bought was worth nearly £70. I love Argos toy sales!

We are starting to struggle now financially though so christmas will not be a lavish affair I am affraid.

bbjohnny

pinkwitch wrote: »

Depends on age i think, the older my DH gets the more i have too spend.

Around £300 this year. (She's 12)

She had a sleep over, so no party.

Thanks I'm feeling better now lol! I think I've spent about £200 including the party.

elysia2003

Everyone treats their kids differently.

Mine get the majority of toys for birthdays and Christmas, so I go mad (and I mean mad) - If they want a toy the rest of the year, they save for it.

I love the Grabbit board and if I get something half price, I don't think I've saved some money, it means they get more pressies.

mysk_girl

bbjohnny wrote: »

Oh my goodness I spend so much more! See I knew I was spending too much, that's why I asked. Thanks for replying x

It does depend a lot on age, and also I try to coordinate between family who ask what to get. For example, DD's birthday present was a dressing up box from me (lovely old wicker hamper that should last a long time), so all family were asked (when they asked me, no demands were made!) to get dressing up clothes - she has now an amazing collection with a great storage box. My sis who is habitually stoney broke, raided a charity shop and produced an amazing selection of hats :-)

She is still young, I think once she's into characters and films things may get more pricey.

zippybungle

My eldest son will be 9 next month and for his Birthday he is being a mascot for Chesterfield FC (£150 :eek:) this will be his combined present and party though, as it includes a new football kit and signed football. I have said he can take 4 friends to the game and then will go to KFC afterwards. He will have a few other cheapy prezzies from us, but only a few bits and bobs from sales and £1 shops.

Last year he had a party at the Council run Leisure Centre, which was only £40 to hire the pool for an hour (for up to 20 Kids) and then the use of a room for an hour (provide your own food/drinks). I thought this was great value

My middle child had a party at home with a bouncy castle this year (and every year), which must have cost approx £100 including bouncy castle, food, drinks, party bags & party games (tried my best to talk him into having a swiming party! lol)

and my youngest (who was 3) had a party at an indoor play area which was about £7 per head, but only invited a few people as she didn't have too many little friends at that age.

I have to agree with the other posters saying that Kids seem to get more expensive as they get older. Mine still don't really know the difference between a toy that costs £1 and one which costs £30. I spend all year picking things up in the sales and from places like Home Bargains, B&M, Poundland etc.

I do like to make a big fuss for Birthdays/Christmas though.

Zippy x

teacherandmum

DD2 has just had her 1st birthday, We got her a 2nd hand ride on toy for £20 from our friends and a bubble machine (£9.60) plus the batteries and bubble mixture from early learning centre. So £37.60. 99p card from card factory. Dd1 made her a card and got her a china teddy with sister on - also 99p from card factory. 99p for I am One balloons.
£40.57 all in then.
No party , just had the grandparents around

DD1s 4th birthday. she had a party in the village hall £15 hire. £20ish for food. Home made invites. £8 on party bags (sourced cheap bits from the works and pound shops). Took own toys from home for the party ie dressing up clothes, train set, colouring stuff etc. Presents i got on the sale after xmas in advance. Peppa castle (£14) peppa carriage (£6) peppa kitchen set (£6.40)
so £69.40 (Hm more than i thought i'd spent!!)

Christmas - we have a budget of £100 per child. £30 of that is Father xmas and £70 for our gifts. £10 on a xmas eve hamper to share between them (pjs, book, dvd, carrot, .....)

stokegal

I knew I was bad but reading on here makes me feel ridiculous. For DS last Christmas I sent about £600 and for last birthday he had 1 present for £160 and a party which cost about £100, it's his birthday 1 month after Christmas so wanted to not go overboard! The worst thing... He's was only 2 at his last birthday!!