How much do you spend on your mum at Christmas?

mustmakealist

Hi Piggles

I'm probably about the same age as your mum. My kids are a little younger than you and are still studying. I'm happy to receive whatever they get for me. One year ds bought me a travel mug from the pound shop. I was really pleased with that because of the thought he'd put into it. That was far more important than the cost.

I'm sure your mum will appreciate whatever you get for her. Don't worry about what others think - just do whatever you are happy with (and can afford).

JodyBPM

I spend very little on my parents tbh. They are very comfortably off, and frankly have/would buy anything they wanted, and frankly would be quite annoyed if my brother and I "wasted" (in their opinion) our money buying them things that they could have bought for themselves or don't want...

Instead, I put a lot of effort into making them things. In the past I've done hampers full of homemade jams, homemade pickled onions, home baked and decorated gingerbread, homemade sweets, homemade chutney, etc. I've done calendars made up of the children's paintings or photos, a variety of home made/painted stuff from the children etc. Lots of effort and sentimentality in them, but very little £ cost. This year I'm sewing - pretty doorstop, carrier bag holder and a patchwork cushion. All original and made by me with a lot of thought and effort. So much more valuable and with so much more effort put in that handing over a gift that took just 20 seconds to buy, however much it cost! The children have also made teatowels, and the school photos will be framed and put in too.

Whatever floats your boat, and whatever is appropriate in individual families. But for us, effort and thought put in rates far higher than £££ (and my mum loves to be able to show off the things that her "clever" daughter and grandchildren have made!)

split_second

this year i have bought her a cooker, odd present i know but its what she needed, the one she had was a donation that packed in, went to see her last night and it turned out it was finished, it'll be installed tomorrow according to the shop, she replaced her broken washing machine at the same time.

those that know what has happened with her know why i have done things like this on impulse

onlyroz

Last year I went a bit mad and bought mum and dad a kindle each (they'd done me a lot of favours) but this year I think I've spent about £40 apiece.

Gillyx

I go all out for my Dad, not sure how much but I like to make sure he has a few presents to open, got him an amazing book one year though for 1p from M&S, had beautiful pictures, and was so glossy. He doesn't have any family and only recently has had a girlfriend to spend a bit of time with on Christmas Day.

This year, because of how heavily pregnant I am I won't be able to spend it with him, and I know he's on his own until late on Christmas night, so I'm going to try and send him little things to make him smile. Got him a personalised card from Hallmark which I know he will love, as it has lovely words inside.

This is my first Christmas not living at home and waking up on Christmas morning in his house, and I'm pretty upset about it all so I know no matter what I buy, I'll still feel like crap all day, as I'd give anything to be there with him

Spirit_2

This will be my second christmas without my lovely mum. Our spend varied, however we always asked her to be with us, and mostly she chose to come. She enjoyed working with us - filling mincepies, mixing stuffing, helping to prepare. I made her a stocking and my daughter and I would fill it with bits and pieces. We usually ensured she had a pile of presents to open.

My mum was very generous to us at Christmas (her spend on us many times the value of whatever we gave) she was not well off but had saved hard and took the view that she wanted to see us enjoy things rather than it all come to us when she was no longer around to see.

I am really missing shopping for her this year. What ever you spend, it really is much better to give than to receive.

Enjoy treating your mum...have a happy christmas with her

Gillyx

Spirit wrote: »

This will be my second christmas without my lovely mum. Our spend varied, however we always asked her to be with us, and mostly she chose to come. She enjoyed working with us - filling mincepies, mixing stuffing, helping to prepare. I made her a stocking and my daughter and I would fill it with bits and pieces. We usually ensured she had a pile of presents to open.

My mum was very generous to us at Christmas (her spend on us many times the value of whatever we gave) she was not well off but had saved hard and took the view that she wanted to see us enjoy things rather than it all come to us when she was no longer around to see.

I am really missing shopping for her this year. What ever you spend, it really is much better to give than to receive.

Enjoy treating your mum...have a happy christmas with her

This is lovely brought a tear to my eye xx

LandyAndy

Piggles12345 wrote: »

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.

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

I'm in that group, nearly. My mother is 77. We have agreed that she will buy herself something (usually an item of clothing) that costs around £40-50 and I reimburse her for it. May not be everyones idea of Christmas (or birthday, when we do the same) but it suits us and makes sure we don't waste our money and my mother gets something she wants.

My father, who is 83, is easy. I buy magazine subscriptions for him for both his birthday and Christmas. Again it is what suits us both.

I am 54. My children are still dependent teenagers. However, when they are independent I shall make a point of telling them that I don't want them to spend money on more than a token present.

For me Christmas is more about being together as a family, not giving presents.

suki1964

My mum is in her 70's and we buy token pressies only

Theres nothing I want that I would feel comfortable accepting as a gift ( tad cheeky to ask for a Kuga), things I really want that are affordable I buy when I want/need. Shes the same, if she wants something she buys it and she knows better then to ask me for a first class ticket to Oz

So this year its two books for a fiver from The Works for her and no doubt I shall get stockings or slippers

Newly_retired

My mum never could think of anything she wanted. After she died I found a stack of unopened or unused gifts. She wasn't being ungrateful, nor did she have much money but she just did not want material things. She used to give away her £10 Christmas bonus to the grandchildren usually. I would not dare to spend more than about £20 on her as she would have been upset.
Now I do not want my grown up children to spend much on me. I would be delighted with something home made, or photos of their children.