How much do you spend on your adult children at Christmas?

jemb

I'm 26 and my Mum still asks for a list of 5 things I want, except now it's also extended to OH he has a list of 5 too. My list is usually a cd, pjs, I got some boots in the Aldo sale they've wrapped up for me and one or two bits. It's not that I expect this (always get other bits also) at all but it's just what has always gone on! I used to get presents from santa and then from Mum and Dad. Now I get Mum and dad presents so less spent. I'm also an only Child (spoilt always, b ut never a brat!) so i think I get around £150 and OH about £100 but Mum and Dad have always been able to afford it. Back to your 'Shouldnt demand of me' Really? They do that at their age? They're past the age of not knowing the worth of money, I think somebody needs to have a reality check, Mum's money dont grow in the garden! xx

balletshoes

my Mum spends around £30 on each of us adult children, she always has, since we turned 18. Our OHs get around £15 spent on them by her.

McKneff

My sone and daughter and their spouses get £25 each and a few bits and bobs, oh and a selection box, silly really, I stopped buying the slection boxes on year and they were most upset, they would rather have them than a box of expensive choccies.

4 Grandchildren get about £25 spent on toys/clothes, but the older 2 (21 and 19) will get smellies or a big box of choccies after this christmas, like the other poster says, they both work and earn a site more than my pension pays me.

stsarina

My daughter is 3 - but when she's older, anything she 'demands' will be instantly crossed off the list! I'm 26 and this year I've asked my dad for a new toaster. I'd never dream of expecting him to spend the amounts on me now that he did when I was a child, and I genuinely enjoy being able to give him a nice present more than receiving one from him now.

meganandben

My mum has always spent the same on my Christmas present - £10. It hasn't changed for the last 30 years! I don't think she has heard of inflation!

Martha-Lou

we have had a rule in our house since i was about 18 that i get me mam a gift for say £10 to £20 and she give me one in return for the same price, because as an adlut now there is no point my mam going out of her way to spen the small amount she did for me and my brother when we were wee, not to mention the fact it would be selfish as she has bills and a morgatge to pay, which is more important

paulwellerfan

my mom spends exactly zilch on me or my sister.
and in return we dont get her any thing.
shes also got 4 grand children and i dont think shes ever brought them a christmas present or for that matter birthday present.
you may think by reading the above we have fallen out but we are all on good speaking terms.!

jokeyjo

my mum know just gets us a little present but always spends too much on her grandkids all nine of them

Crowdpleaser

We have a small family and when my kids were born we all decided that we would all rather spend the money on them. Suits all of us! Me and DP dont do presents to each other but will buy bits through the year that we need. For eg, he bought me a laptop when I got a aplace at university. Off topic but you know where Im going LOL xxx

LondonDreamer

Martha-Lou wrote: »

we have had a rule in our house since i was about 18 that i get me mam a gift for say £10 to £20 and she give me one in return for the same price, because as an adlut now there is no point my mam going out of her way to spen the small amount she did for me and my brother when we were wee, not to mention the fact it would be selfish as she has bills and a morgatge to pay, which is more important

Ditto this although once I was married, we stopped gifts among adults completely. We all have bills to pay which are more important!

OP, your children are more than old enough now to be told no if they're asking for that much. :eek: But I think you'll have to say something, as they may not realise they're doing anything wrong if you've always spent that much on them. My father has spent the same on me every year for as long as I can remember (about 20 years) even though I've told him not to for the past 5 - he just ignores the no gift policy.