Spill the beans..

Notjustamum_2

Just_Trying wrote: »

Yes this is in addition to any maintenance I pay .... However my personal single costs are high as I live in London, so Notjustamum husband it seems is spending alot of money on items I may not be, including his wife perhaps

We have London costs too and I don't think I'm that expensive

Mr Notjustamum ensures that the children never go without anything they need and saves up to ensure they can have those little "extras" when opportunity arises - like the eldest going on a school trip to Greece in the spring.

He does like me to have nice things and as I recently realised that I haven't had my hair done since February I think I might get him to treat me to that in the run up to Christmas.....

Anyway ... sorry.... I've gone off topic... sorry :embarasse

nickyboyfloyd

I can't believe how big the range is here. Be interesting to know what the average is. We have never really kept an eye on the cost in the past but this year we have decided to limit dd to £250 including stocking and everything. Wife thinks this is too low but looking at some of the posts on here, I think we could squeeze it down even further next year. Have also entered into 'no present pact' with family. Hated spending my hard earned and getting socks and soap on a rope in return. Humbug!!!

horleyflyer

Oh , for the days when my girls were little and a large piece of colourful plastic costing about £20 was a much loved gift !
Now they are older they usually get about £120 spent on them each.
I try and make sure I get them something they need ( mobile on last legs etc ) and get the best deal on it.
Included in this budget are the stocking fillers and little gifts from us ,not Santa! Yes, the older two know it's all from us but the youngest is 11 and am hoping to get one last year of magic with her

thecomplainer

WOW!

As reading this I have started to think about my owns Christmases in the past and my parents have always spoilt us at Christmas and spent probably a bit above the average posted on here, between them they have 6 children 10-24 and as we have got older we have got less.

They work on very tight budget for the whole year and we never had pocket money - it made me gasp at some earlier posts (but if you've got it who's to comment?) so at xmas they were very generous.

This is my first year living with my OH and we have had to set very strict budgets of £10 per person and £25 for my niece (as she is very special to us).

We both feel really tight for doing this but its only what we can afford and some people will get home made gifts and things they need.

Everyone understands and will be grateful (hopefully) for what they get.

I don't think its what you spend but that you're appreciated for what you buy and they those receiving the gifts are happy.

I think at the end of the day you work hard for your money and are entitled to spend it on what YOU want to!

p.s I am 21 and want still stocking and advent calendar! here's to hoping!

sutee1

mcja wrote: »

I'm going to feel really tight now but £10 (ish) on stocking - 10 things for about £1 and the nabout £50 on each for their presents under the tree

I think that you shouldn't feel "tight" - others should realise what they are doing is working hard and forking out for - 1 DAY!!!! RIDICULOUS!

tiff

None of us should feel guilty about what we spend compared to others. All mine is paid for. My kids most like the traditions we have every year - family mass on Christmas eve, new pj's and slippers every year, visiting family on Boxing day etc. If we changed any of that they would be really disappointed but they've never ever commented on the amount we spend.

Caterina

My adult kids get a small present each. a surprise, around the £10 mark, to open on Christmas day, then £50 cash each. We all agree to give each other very small presents and then at the January sales we can afford to splash out a bit more and sometimes I shall buy some clothes for them then.

annieb_101

Hiii i'm 21, when i was younger i used to get loads of presents to open - not that i remember, i've just seen old pictures. when my mum n dad split up 10 years ago i started to get expensive presents from my dad (pc / phone / camera etc) n all the personal stuff from my mum (cds, jewellry etc)

my dad always spoilt me n spent loads of money but last year i couldn't think of anything i "wanted" - he was shocked that i couldn't think of anything n kept pestering for ages, he finally gave up n a got a fantastic mirrored jewelry box this year he's asked me again, still can't understand that i don't want anything n said to me that he doesn't want to give me money. i appreciate the amount he spends on me but he doesn't have to - he thinks he does

my mum knows how to sale shop n gets presents that way n uses amazon n the like so i get a fair few presents for a lower cost - much prefer it that way

i LOVE the chirstmas hamper idea - any tips for me???? xxx

beckiclare

Wow, believe me it doesn't get any better! I have 3 children, 14, 4 and 2, the 4 and 2 year old are really easy, they don't care how much something costs or even really what they get, they are more excited that Santa has been. Think I spend about £200 each on them, I know even that sounds a lot, but you don't get much for your money these days eh! The 14 year old....well, she needs a new tv (she doesn't know she is getting one) she has asked for some real UGG boots and designer clothes, that is all she wants! I think so far I have spent £600 and she has 8 gifts!!! She will get some small cheap stocking fillers, but her pile will be very small compared to the other two. Next year she needs a laptop as she will be doing GCSE's, I am now looking forward to her getting a job! I have bought High Street Shopping vouchers that I pay for through the year, they are great, and really lighten the cost of Christmas. Good luck............:)

melspur

I don't have a set budget, but normally it's about £100-150 at a guess, this year however it looks like my eldest might be moving out, so I won't be spending as much on him as usual.
I had never heard of the Christmas Eve hamper idea, but I love it, what a fab way to give in to their pleas to open just one pressie! I will be using that this year.