Spill the beans..

Fortheloveofmoney

This has been a really interesting thread for me as I have a 1 year old and this will be our first real Christmas of spending money on him. Last year we just bought a couple of things as he was only 8 weeks old and it was stuff we would have bought anyway such as a playmat and bouncy chair.

His birthday actually taught me a lot as we bought him 3 presents that cost around £72. He also received a lot from friends and relatives. In fact so much that he ended up not opening everything on his birthday as we ran out of time and he wanted to play with what he had just opened. He was a bit overwhelmed if I'm honest.

Not having a clue what I would buy when I did this year's budget I've allowed £200. I have only spent around £82 of that and it's enough. We did get his main presents free from Tesco doing the clubcard exchange thing though.

I've kept a list of everything we've bought and I think it's too much so I think we will keep some back for another day.

I do like the idea of a Christmas Eve family hamper though. Might have to start that.

smk77

weegie.geek wrote: »

Don't worry smk77, some of us actually read your post as it was intended...

Phew! Thanks..

mummyplus3

I've spent £112 on one and just £29.98 on the other... Didnt realise how little I had got her so far.. She's only 18 months and I'm struggling to find anything for her as she gets all her bigger sisters old toys! I've got her a Sand and Water table, A little box of 7 puzzles and a trike with a parent handle. Her Sister has got loads though as I am making a Fancy dress trunk for her...

Feeling really bad right now! Not even thought about the tat for stockings yet and i'm already £60 over budget on eldests presents

caseystar

I have two children, one is 7 and the other is 10 next week. I spend around £100 each on them and around £10 per stocking. We also have a Christmas eve hamper which is filled with bits and bobs for them to enjoy. It also contains a couple of presents, usually new p.j's and Christmas socks.

Everything is paid for in cash so being a single Mum, i have to start a couple of months in advance and get bits here and there. They also get presents from their Dad and we have a huge family on both sides who buy for the kids also.

Just to add, i spend a bit more on them on their birthdays. As i only have one to buy for then.

trackwa

Hiya
We have between us 6 kids ranging in age from 22 to 14. Usually we have spent £100 for main present/s or money ( they chose) and then £50 each on stocking fillers. Upto about 3 yrs ago i always went into debt to buy for christmas. Then my pay went up and we didnt go into debt had a bit more extra cash but did not spend any more. This yr our finances have taken a plummet so i am seriosly considering reducing the amount we spend. Prob £20 on the older 3 and £100 on the 3 younger ones. I also have 2 grandchildren to pay for now aswell. I dont think anybody is right or wrong for what they spend on their children. If it makes the parents happy to spend what they can and it makes the children happy to recive what they get, then everybody has a happy christmas !! I think kids r happy with what ever they get. I must admit that every yr i panic incase the kids r not happy but in all the 22 yrs ive been a mum ive never had an unhappy child on christmas morning xx

mumto7

ive had 8 children and since my first was born 17yrs ago we agreed on a budget and its not changed, £50 till age 10, £75 till their 13 then 13-18 £100 then at 18 it be a token gift

floydy17

We have three children (16, 18 and 20) and spend £200 on each of them.

alittlemadam

I have 2 daughters a 13 and 6 year old, i normally spend around 7£70-£100 on each of them buying things such as pjs, smellies, DVDs, CDs, chocolates, and then put another £150 pound in the bank for them for when they get older (as they are gonna need it).

They dont do without as other members of the family also buy them gifts so they get plenty. I always ensure that I buy the spend the same amount on each of them and always explain that if they have a smaller pile than the other they have had the same its just that some things cost more than others.

Just_Trying_5

Boy, a grand a child whom are under 18, well I never!!! I think that is totally over the top, and as your kids grow up (unless they have a huge trust fund in waiting) will get a shock of their lives...

I earn over £50K pa ( more than the average I know and could afford to do that –but would never ), separated from the kids mum, spend around £500 between them for pressies at Xmas (however give them pocket money £120 per month each – which allows them to buy “stuff” all year round) which is totally sufficient in my opinion, and they are happy, grateful , balanced kids, who know the true value of money

PS Two girls 15 & 12

shellsuit

Just_Trying wrote: »

Boy, a grand a child whom are under 18, well I never!!! I think that is totally over the top, and as your kids grow up (unless they have a huge trust fund in waiting) will get a shock of their lives...

I earn over £50K pa ( more than the average I know and could afford to do that –but would never ), separated from the kids mum, spend around £500 between them for pressies at Xmas (however give them pocket money £120 per month each – which allows them to buy “stuff” all year round) which is totally sufficient in my opinion, and they are happy, grateful , balanced kids, who know the true value of money

PS Two girls 15 & 12

They may not get £120 a month though, like your girls do.

And that grand for Christmas might include clothes, which your girls may get through the year from their pocket money.

Welcome to MSE by the way!