Who do you buy for and how much do you spend?

TimBear

Morning!

I've been reading a post over on the DFW board about people worrying about Christmas, and the amount they're spending and for whom they're buying presents. For example, one user over there had told her family they would only be buying for the children which wasn't well received.

Got me thinking as to how other people treat Christmas. Do you spalsh out for everyone or are you selective in who you buy for?

For me, I'll buy only for immediate family -parents and siblings, and grandparents on my OH's side (I don't have any!), my OH, and for my friends' children who I see regularly.

Cost-wise, I probably wouldn't spend more than £10 or £15 per person, and often spend much, much less! This year I have bought my mum some books she will like from the Oxfam shop and spent about £1.50!

04624181

We have just scaled it down this year as we usually buy adults and children. With myself and hubby coming from large families it was getting ridiculous.
Am buying- our 2 children +
my side - mum, sister, dad, dads girlfriend, dads gf daughter, gran, 2 nephews, godson, 2 friends kids, cousins son.
Hubbys side- 4 nephews, 5 nieces,mum and dad, auntie,

Have got alot of persoanlised things from vistaprint for adult presents. the older nieces and nephews will be having £10each. Me and hubby dont buy each other a present, we tend to do vouchers for a romantic night in or bubble bath promise ( run each other a hot bubble bath with candles, choc etc) a lie in voucher. x

TimBear

Wow you do have a lot to buy for! I know my dad will buy for all his nieces and nephews, their husbands/wives, children and grandchildren (I have ten cousins, so with each being married and having children and even grandchildren there are a LOT of people he buys for!).

I just couldn't do that myself, there's no way I could afford it!

The thing that shocked me on reading the other thread over on DFW is that people who were telling friends and relatives they couldn't afford to buy for everyone were getting a huffy reaction. I wouldn't mind one bit if anyone at all (even OH) said they couldn't get me a present!

UnluckyT

ive scaled down a lot and only buy for mum, sis and 3 youngest cousins.
3 youngest i give them a £5 each and spend about £30ish on mum and sis.
i tend to try and get things that they need and will use, like smellies or socks or a gift voucher for thier fave shop.

TimBear

UnluckyT wrote: »

ive scaled down a lot and only buy for mum, sis and 3 youngest cousins.
3 youngest i give them a £5 each and spend about £30ish on mum and sis.
i tend to try and get things that they need and will use, like smellies or socks or a gift voucher for thier fave shop.

Sounds like you've got that all sorted then!

Gleek

I buy for:
Mum - Gets spoiled. I buy everyone else then spend whatever is left on her. Lots of little things that she wants and needs as she doesn't want any 'big' things. Perfume, make up, crafty bits, clothes etc etc
Brother - £10/15 (the original man who has everything and could buy whatever else he wanted in a flash. Very hard to shop for! Has a Nando's gift set as he loves them)
Grandad - £20 (to be honest whatever you give him goes back in the gift bag and is never looked at again. When we emptied his house we found old chocs that had uh... visitors... in gift bags with gifts from years back. Eeek! Because of this he gets underwear for his birthday on Fri (classy :rotfl: And a new wallet and some food for Christmas)
2 dogs - £15ish (inc big bag of gravy bones and dog sausages as they ADORE them)
Parrot - £5 (he doesn't really like the toys and treats you put in and is quite difficult to treat)

SIL - £10 (S&G Cube)
Brothers In Laws x2 - £20 (together) (JD set and miniatures for one, S&G cube for the other)
SIL's Sisters x1 (£7 Body Shop Gift Set)
SIL's Sister, Hubby, Baby & dog (£17 - £5 large box of thorntons chocs, £2 on doggie and £10 on the baby)

Best friend x2 - £10 each (disney princess stuff for one and work lols related stuff for the other)
Best friends dog - £2

Neighbours (adults x2) - £5 (large box of thorntons chocs for the one who's helped us and big toblerone for the other)
Next doors kids - £5 (£3 rainy day art kit and a tube of sweets each)
Old Neighbours (who I used to babysit for 2xadults 2xkids 3xdoggies) - £15 (large box of thorntons chocs for parents & toiletry set for the boy and make up set for the girl as they're not my little babies anymore & some treats for doggies)
Neighbours dogs x 3 - £3 (£1 Christmas set each)

Grandad's carer type person (basically does meals and administers medicine) - £5 (fererro roche)

This is the first time I've properly written it down, eeek! Not too bad at all though tbf

Everyone except for mum and grandad and all the dogs (and the parrot) are bought for so nearly done

04624181

TimBear wrote: »

The thing that shocked me on reading the other thread over on DFW is that people who were telling friends and relatives they couldn't afford to buy for everyone were getting a huffy reaction. I wouldn't mind one bit if anyone at all (even OH) said they couldn't get me a present!

This is a shame as it puts families under more pressure than thet already are at this time of year. I always try to get my 9yr old son to pick a present for children less fortunate than him its run by the local christmas tree appeal. It should be about the kids, I havetold my gran that a 35 and 39 myself and hubby do not want her too spend money on us.
An idea that friends could do is a family gift to each other, like a movie night in with cheap dvd or blockbuster voucher,popcorn and chocs, or games night in with a game, sweets and nibbles.

TimBear

Gleek, I hadn't even thought of pets! And my dog's birthday is Christmas Eve too...!

It is a shame when people are so wrapped up in the material, consumer side of Christmas rather than spending time with those they love (I'm not religious so I don't 'do' the true meaning of Christmas, so to speak!).

Presents wise I've so far bought -

Dad - a metal watering can in the shape of a fish - £6.00

Mum - two charity shop books - £1.50, cushion £2.00

Brothers x 2 - watches £10.00 each

Sister - Lots of little things she'll like! Notebooks, pack of Cath Kidston tissues, little tin, cosy socks, perfume (TK Maxx bargain!), magentic pretty letter of her first initial, bracelet, purse etc...probably spent about £20.00 on her, which is the most I've spent on anyone this year!

MIL - photoframe which we will fill - £8.00

OH's grandma - silk scarf - £11.00 (I think!)

OH's nephew - 2 x books - £7.00

The other children I've bought for have all gots books, jigsaws etc from TK Maxx for around £2 or £3 per present which I was chuffed with! So, probably spent another £20.00 roughly for six other children

We just have to get presents now for my brother in law and his partner, my father in law and his partner then we're done!

jakes-mum

I buy for my 2 kids - normally they get about £150 each but it depends on whether there is something specific they want
DH - WHo normally gets £50 - £60
both sets of parents - roughly £10 each
My sister and BIL - THey have no kids, I have 2 who they buy for so I get them a prezzie back
2 nieces and a nephew - again its about £10 - £15

This year I have a challenge to get everyones prezzies for under £100 and im doing well so far but thats what I used to spend

TimBear

I think I'll get all of mine for under £150.00 this year which I'm really pleased about! And nearly all done so no scrimping in December to pay for it!

toffeeapple

Gosh I seem to spend a bit more than you lot. My kids are not spoilt at all, and do not get presents throughout the year. They want Nintendo 3Ds's this year. Please don't judge me, I only buy in cash and don't have any credit cards so don't go into debt. I am by no means rich, hubby and I just save all our yearly overtime pay to have lovely Christmas's.

Hubby - £100
Kids main presents - £150 each Total 300
Kids stockings £80 each Total £160
Mum & Dad - main present £100 and a stocking each (probably £50 minimum in each) - Total £200
Brother, Sis in Law - £25 Hamper that I've made
Nephew - £30
Uncle - £20
Brother in law - £30
Sister in law - £30

Plus teachers presents of a box of chocs and a couple of bottles of cava & more chocs we give when we go to friends houses over xmas.
We have stopped buying for all our friends kids this year because it was getting silly!!

Total about £900.

Then I spend about £100 on Christmas Day outfits for the kids and the Christmas Eve Hamper.

EEKK!! Good job I'm organised and am over half done! I have the money in the bank just not finished off yet!!