How much do you spend on Christmas?

Pinkbunny2012

Hi everyone

I just wondered how much you spend on Xmas, as I think I here gone abit overboard this year. I only have one child who's three and have bought her a big rocking horse for £400 and an innotab 2 with 4 games case etc and around £300-£400 in other toys. I have spent around £350 on my other half and the same again on my parents without including any other family. Plus I am doing Christmas Dinner this year for my family and will have spent about £400-£500 on food drink new tableware etc, I think this must be to much or maybe I need to budget better?
Thanks

aggypanthus

Thats a ridiculous ammount ! A 3 year old doesnt need so much , but if you can afford it, go ahead. also , do your parents EXPECT so much from you?
Are you aware how many families on here can barely afford xmas at all?

I would rather give to charity than waste so much on presents.

MrsDrink

MSE isn't about not spending. It's about spending your money wisely. If you can afford it, need it, and it's not cheaper elsewhere why shouldn't you buy it? Whether your budget is just £100 for the whole of Christmas, or £1000 it doesn't make any difference.

happysmithy

I spend what i can aford. So this year will be around £300 all together.

weeclick

Firstly I completely disagree with aggypanthus - its only ridiculous if youve got yourself into debt doing so! a few years ago I would of easily spent the guts of £700 (because I could afford to and I wanted to) these days Ive spent £250 on family (8 adults 2 kids) maybe just slightly over and about £150 on OH shopping shouldnt cost us too much outside of £150. Ive still to get secret santa in work and my personal trainer a small gift but no more than £20 on the two. Its not because I cant or dont want to spend more its more a case of finding useful gifts and my family have taken a real love to the hampers Ive made the past 2 years. I say if you know the gifts you have bought are appreciated and will get used then youve done the right thing just dont get yourself into trouble over it and enjoy every minute it brings!

Edited to add the usual £700 I mentioned in previous years was just for family so total would of been near £1,000

aggypanthus

I cant see me ever needing £500 worth of food and new table wear.

Perhaps I am fortunate that I am a sensible spender , even though I can afford to eat well and buy nice gifts, but not overly expensive one.

I dont mean to judge the OP, just a bit sensitive to the hardships of others in general.

mummyroysof3

i think ive spent £400-£500 so far on our 3 children and 2 other children in family. i have 2 more children to buy for and parents get booze and chocs between them. im doing 2 christmas dinners which are like normal roast dinners except for a slightly bigger joint of meat.


i could have spent more but then i would need a bigger house to store it all

Lunar_Eclipse

This year, about £250-300. £150 between the children (11&12) and £100 -150 on everyone else.

DH & I will just buy each other a few token items for our stockings (chocolate, book, giftcard type things.) We all have everything we need and then some; I already feel panicky about where it will all go and what a waste of money it is!

I think you've spent a ridiculous amount of money, but not in a judgmental way, simply in a 'what's the point' way. If I still had a 3 year old, I'd probably buy them something along the doll/toy cot/pram and an easel (£12 in Ikea) for their main present, along with a stocking containing things like play dough, colouring pens, puzzle, character bubble bath & flannel, some chocolate coins, a wind up bath toy, a tiara or sparkly cowboy hat & a handbag/first aid case. I spent under £50 for years, through choice. Expensive things are usually requested as they get older.

I think I'm not in the majority when it comes to kids & Xmas though. Most of our friends, of similarish income level, will buy their kids things like laptops, iPads etc. Along with a few other gifts and a full stocking. For whatever reason (financial priorities actually) we just don't do that. Some Lego, a book, a few other things and loads of fun or cool stocking fillers have so far, made for very happy Christmas celebrations in our home. One thing I also don't do is 'pad presents out' to look like more than there is. If money isn't incredibly tight, a stocking full of everyday items such as pants, socks and deodorant can't excite anyone, surely? I count my blessings and good fortune daily, but I see a huge difference (maybe it's just me!) between even a Mars bar and a can of Sure.

tessie_bear

too much usually although this year i am putting the brakes on as the kids have plenty of stuff and havent really asked for much...i spend what i can afford though and have never gone into debt for christmas....makes my blood run cold the thought of all this buy now pay in 12 months rubbish

merry christmas to all

malamay

I've watched my sister skip a mortgage payment or not pay her electric bill to overspend on her children. Her husband turns a blind eye. She has this impulsive need to buy her three children designer clothes and the latest toys and gadgets to fit in with what other people in her area do. They also buy for all the aunts/uncles/cousins etc in her husband's family, which is probably close to 40 people. Any gifts bought reflect directly on my sister, who is struggling to fit into this family. She feels forced into overspending on people her family might see once or twice a year in the hopes they will build a stronger family connection. She lives near his family, and far from hers, so I can sort of see what she is trying to do.

Christmas shouldn't be stressful! I keep suggesting cheaper presents to her, and whole year budgeting tips to avoid missing payments on bills. This year I started making suggestions for her family members as early as August. They start looking for gifts in November, and buy most out of Decembers' pay.

I would absolutely hate to feel forced into spending. It's just me an my OH. We have 7 nieces/nephews between us, and we buy for our parents as well. We could spend more, but would rather see a decrease in our debts. I would estimate we spend about £400 on everything, including booze and our Christmas meal.

Sharon87

Well my Christmas budget so far is about £250. I don't have kids or a partner, so save money there. But I live away from my family. I've budgeted £10 each to my family members, although knowing me I'll spend more! Spent about £60 for a tree, lights and decorations as I didn't own any and I'm also travelling to the Midlands from London to spend Christmas with my mum, so staying in a Travelodge, as she lives on a boat, and my mum's paying half of that

Then after Christmas going to see my Dad up north, spent £25 or so on train ticket up there using my young persons railcard and advanced tickets.

But I haven't included food in that figure yet, as going out on Sunday for our house share Christmas Dinner - I know early, but we're all busy in December or going home to see family. So I'd guess £300. Even that is a stretch for me at this moment in time.