Xmas Spending Arguements

RoxieW

Close thread please

armchairexpert

Is he worried about too many presents hurting the budget, or about them being spoiled? If it's the former, I suggest selling some stuff you don't need on eBay to make him feel better about it (if you're a household of gadgets there must be some stuff, right?). If the latter...I don't know what to tell you. I actually tend to agree that kids that age shouldn't get everything they want. I'm happy to spend a decent amount on mine if it's a present they'll get years of use out of (this year I'm spending a fair whack on a cubby house, but it's a joint present for both girls, it's their birthday AND their Christmas present, they'll just get a little thing each to unwrap on the day), but not just because they want the latest Thing. If your 10 year old wants a 200 quid games console, can he not make up the difference with his allowance?

BitterAndTwisted

A hundred and fifty quid per child of the ages you mention is not "a meagre pile of gifts"! To my mind (speaking as a non-parent) that's extremely lavish.

Still, in situations like this, there's no right or wrong answer and what a load of strangers think, who are almost certainly not in a similar financial position, is completely irrelevant.

sooty&sweep

Could you buy the games console as a "family" present so that it doesn't come out of the £150 ?
Your 3 year old probably wouldn't be interested and the 8 & 10 year old would possibly on it together ?

Could the football strip come out of his clothing allowance but just happen to be bought at christmas so you might as well wrap them ? My son isn't into football but my daughter is and I've had my moneys worth out of the football strips I've bought her. Although I've only bought England strips on offer at Sports Direct.

Jen

WantToBeSE

I agree that for the older ones, £150 will get hardly anything.
I got my kids games consoles each, which came to almost £200 each.
Have you actually asked him why he wants to enforce such a strict budget?

balletshoes

My DD is 11, and although we could spend more, we don't usually spend more than about £150 total on her Christmas pressies from us. She doesn't now, and hasn't ever, got everything that was on her Christmas list (but we do try and get her whats at the top of her list, however we've always told her if whats on the top of her list is too expensive).

OP how much more do you want to spend on them?

themull1

if i owned my own business and was well off, i would buy what i thought the kids would like and ignore my oh!. what did you do last year?

RoxieW

I would spend double the amount if it was my choice.

It's not about budget just that he 'resents spending money on crap'. Even the scooter that our middle son has chosen is 'naff' apparently. I've asked him if he always wanted Xmas gifts that his parents liked,

bitterandtwisted - I was just interested to see if there's anyone in the same boat.

Dunroamin

£150 per child is a lot of money - perhaps your children need to be less greedy.

RoxieW

Sooty and sweep - I've tried that tack re the football kit but nothing seems to wash at the moment. He's got it into his head and that's that. What is a good idea however is to see if there are items that I can sell, armchair expert.

RoxieW

Last year I spent about 300 on each child and we were in a less well off position having just started my business. it seems that the better off we are the more 'precious' he becomes about money.