How much do you spend on your mum at Christmas?

euronorris

MandM90 wrote: »

Next year we're considering proposing a 10 pound limit for adults and 5 pounds for children as my wife has 12 neices and nephews, 5 young cousins, two sisters and a brother and, with parents, we're finding it a struggle. It's always a tricky subject to broach though as I don't want to seem mean

Try not to worry about it too much. I think you'll get a better response than you expect.

I am an aunt to 7, and we agreed a couple of years ago, that we would only buy for the kids at Christmas. And this year, we've also introduced only buying for the kids birthday's, unless the adult birthday is a big one (like 30, 40 etc). Otherwise it just gets silly. We're all adults, we don't need all these pressies, and no one needs the pressure to buy in this economy.

Gillyx

pelirocco wrote: »

My mum doesnt want presents ............she wants the cash !. Shes nearly 81 and living the high life . I also give her money as and when she needs it . She asked to 'borrow' £250 a few months ago so she could visit a chiropractor ......I gave her the money ( willingly and why not , shes my mum ) when I asked her how she got on at the chiroprators she said she didnt go as she had better things to spend the money on ! it still makes me laugh out loud now .......She didnt mean bills btw she meant bingo , clubs , holidays and fags lol

I just love the way at that age people dont give two hoots what they say or do

This has really made my day :rotfl: It's really great your mum at 81 manages to do all those things, I'd be giving mine money too if she was able when she gets to that age. Love it!

PasturesNew

I spend about £20, but it's a struggle to find anything mum ever wants. I'd happily spend £200 if it were stuff she could use/want, but I've been through her house recently and I discovered piles of gifts going back years that she's not opened. She opens the wrapping paper on the day, stacks the presents up, then at the end of the day takes them up to her room and into a drawer/cupboard never to be seen again. Had to bin about £100s worth of "her favourite" chocolates because I'd gone out every year and spent ages tracking them down and getting a good box (usually a limited edition box, or something a bit different) - and she'd never eaten one of them..... Couldn't even give them away as the "Best Before" dates were 2006-2009 and I don't like them.

Peater

Hmm. xmas/birthdays have always been difficult to buy for, for all my immediate family. We work on the principle that if there's something we need/want, we can usually afford it ourselves during the year..... So for xmas, we just get each other some silly little things, usually no more than about £20's worth i guess.

Sublime_2

Usually a £30 M&S voucher. I must admit to them spending approx £200 on clothes for each of my children, and giving me a gift voucher for a bit more.

maskerade

I think it's lovely you spoil your Mum OP and ignore your colleagues, what business is it of theirs? I got grief from colleagues this year for buying my OH a dishwasher for his flat but its the only thing he really really wants and surely better than something just for the sake of it!

This year I've not spent much on my Mum because there's not much she wants. She's still losing weight so come her birthday in June I'll probably take her on a shopping spree for nice new clothes

GlasweJen

Me and my sister have gone halfers and got mum a touch screen e-reader, filled it with books and I've ordered her her usual calendar.

For dad me and 2 sisters have went 3 ways and got him a tablet computer and set up the sky sports app etc.

No one expects a gift from me this year though because I've been in hospital since the start of October.

Mrs_Ryan

In the past few years I've spent a small fortune but this year I've struggled due to being off sick for so long.

Mum has had about £60, I think. She asked for some slippers so I bought her some of the type from Avon that tone you as you walk as she is slimming with Slimming World. I've also bought her a pair of PJ's, a watch, a bracelet, a necklace and the DVD of Bridesmaids as she keeps going on that she wants to see it! My sister always manages to upstage me though and then I feel bad my Mum always says its the thought that counts but no doubt she will get something lovely from my sister that will make my efforts look like tat

indebtinsussex

it depends really, this year we're getting my parents a personalised calender as there is nothing that they want at all, in previous years we have brought them theatre tickets, a weekend away and an ornmant to complete their collection as well as smellies and books. and I'm making the xmas cake!

I dont think it matters how much you spend as long as she knows it was done because you love her. after my dads cancer, im just grateful to have the opportunity to show my parents how much they mean

Gigglepig

I think some people (in particular the older generation) sometimes say it is not important to get them a gift, or to not buy them anything expensive because it is considered good manners to do so. It doesn't necessarily mean that they don't appreciate a well thought of, lavish present if you can afford to buy one within your means.

I'd love to buy my grandparents an ipad to replace their big clunky slow home pc :-D They always ask to just have something small, and to not spend too much money on them, but I am 100% confident that they'd love it! It is a shame they are so expensive. I agree however there is no point in buying them something expensive they would not like.

I think it is sad to hear of people having presents stacked away - sounds like poor communication. I'd hate it if my mum felt unable to tell me what she really wanted :-(

Some people find it really really hard to ask for what they want. It is great though, that not everyone is me me me... but it is still nice to find them what they really want and to see their face light up.

Sometimes an experience that you can have together can be a better present than a "thing". I think taking away mum on a holiday would be lovely idea, and it doesn't need to be that expensive if it is planned well in advance using special offers on hotels etc. It is lovely to read some of the posts here about the things that people plan for their mum, and the love they have put into it.