How much do you spend on your mum at Christmas?

Piggles12345

I had a conversation at work the other day which really bugged me.

I'm in my mid-20s and my mum is in her mid-50s. I told a few people at work the other day that I'd be looking to spend about £100-£150 on my mum this Christmas and I'd usually spend a little bit less (about £70-£90) at birthday time.

The three people I was speaking to (who are all around my mum's age and themselves have parents in their 80s) were all really shocked and made me feel really awful for spending so much.

My reasoning is she's on her own; it's once a year; she fed and clothed me, put a roof over my head and bought me anything I wanted (within reason of course) for 18 years; she'd give me the coat off her back if I really needed it; when we visit her she pays for everything like meals and drinks out etc. So I reckon she deserves a bit of dosh spent on her at Christmas.

I was wondering how much other people spend on their mums at Christmas?

runninglea

Hi I have bought mine a coat for £20 and some perfume for £39 plus a few little things so about £70.

Emmzi

I sepnd whatever the thing that will make her happy costs. sometimes that's a tenner, once it was £500. We don't really measure our relationship in cash.

Gigglepig

I don't think you should feel bad at all. If you can comfortably afford it, why not give your mum a bit of luxury that she may not afford herself.

clw1

I spend about £100 at christmas and about £50 for her birthday. As long as you can afford it then spend what you like.

adamantine

my mum flat out refuses to let me buy her a present as she knows how tight money is.

last year i spent £20 on a personalised photoalbum for her to put pics of the grandkids in and that brought her to tears.

this year she is getting a new keyring from the kids and a mug for her work with a beautiful poem on it. ill still her a b0llocking on christmas day for spending a fiver!

its not how much you spend IMO. a lovely card with a fitting verse means more to me than the most expensive present in the world and shows you actually spent time picking it.

if thats what you want to spend on your mum and she doesnt mind you spending that much then go ahead.

cheepskate_2

why worry what other people do, just do what makes you happy. Some people always have a view point if it is not the same as theirs.

Plans_all_plans

It's entirely up to the individual what they spend.

Personally, I know my mum wouldn't like me to spend any money on her as she always says "Why would you buy me anything? I have everything I need, give some money to charity instead". So for her b'day and Christmas, I would usually give money to a charity she approves of and then she gets a token box of chocolates on top.

No-one in my family is too big on presents TBH and my mum in particular is almost dead set against them, so it's pointless getting her anything cos she just says "you should've given the money to charity!!"

balletshoes

OP it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, or what anyone else spends on their Mum. Spend what you're comfortable spending on her .

**curlywurly**

Emmzi wrote: »

I sepnd whatever the thing that will make her happy costs. sometimes that's a tenner, once it was £500. We don't really measure our relationship in cash.

Exactly the same for me. I collect things throughout the year, ranging in price from £1 (her favourite chocolate) to, this year, £500 (we are sending her on holiday). I normally get her 10 gifts, which will average about £10 each, but they will all be things she wouldn't buy for herself, or they are connected to her hobby (patchwork quilting) or something personalised. I also try to find something useful that my daughter can make her because she loves home-made stuff.

One year, all her children and grandchildren had a photoshoot, and we went in together to give her a large canvas of us all which she loves.

OP I don't think it's really about how much you spend, it's all about the thought. And I guess it depends on people's budget, and how many other people they have to buy for. Don't feel bad !

thatgirlsam

Why should you feel awful for spending what you want to spend?

We have a £10 limit on adults at Christmas - And I won't feel terrible for spending a tenner on her.. she would hate me to spend money I haven't got

Don't compare yourself to others, spend what you want/can afford to

But remember that just because you spend more than your friends/colleagues, it doesn't mean you love your mum more than they love theirs!