How much do you spend at Xmas on kids?

johnunderwood

I spend about £100 on daughter who's 13. Do you guys think it's too much?

pipkin71

balletshoes wrote: »

lets face it, kids don't need any of it - so as parents we must all do what we feel comfortable with.

This is true and why I think it's an individual decision for parents. I save throughout the year (so no debt) and spend a large amount on my two girls who will be 16 and 17 this Christmas. It's nothing to do with age as I have always done this. They don't need it, they would be happier with less, equally they would be happier with more but it's what I'm happy with. They know how lucky they are and appreciate this. If I couldn't afford it then I would do something different.

It's worth noting that many of the toys bought over various Christmases have long since been forgotten but the memories remain so anyone who feels they would like to do more but are not able to, memories are priceless and there are lots of things that could be done that cost nothing or next to nothing that will create your own memories.

pipkin71

tazzyb wrote: »

What will he expect in his teens? What he will get is what myself and my husband have decided we can afford. What kind of person he is will be controlled by how he is raised, not because we spend what is a lot in some peoples eyes at Christmas.



This topic is always going to be controversial. Spend what you can afford and no more is the only 'right' way to do it in my eyes.

Agree with both of these statements.

minimacka

I must hold my hands up and say that I am a person that spends far to much on everyone at Christmas not just my children. I love to think about what I can give that person for Christmas and what they would appreciate. I spend about £500 ish each on my 2 d/s (not getting into debt) but every year I say I will cut down. This year I had a conversation with my youngest d/s and said that I was cutting down this year and he said mum you say that every year and yet you never do so who are you satisfying us or your need to see us open lots of presents and he is right, they really do not want anything because they have all that they need.


It is my needs that I am satisfying for eg if my d/s asked for something for say £100 and that was his budget I would find it extremely difficult not to buy more presents for him to open. This year my two d/s are not getting as much as previous years and tbh they don't mind but to be every more honest I do, I love to see my kids open lots of presents on Christmas morning but I realise that it is silly because most of it they don't need and haven't even asked for.


I am also in the same mind for my immediate family, they are getting a reduced budget this Christmas and no extras just to open.

DigForVictory

Far too much.

That said, I love the "vital" present being the big chocolate coin in the stocking! (The free-with-paper Lego has a similar place in my lads' hearts & stockings.)

quidsy

I usually get nanny to buy him the big priced items, like the DS or hudl but last year I bought a family gift of an xbox one, me & oh didn't buy each other anything & he gave me half the cost towards it. We told ds it was his but we all use it. it cost £450 with some accessories & an additional game.

This year he will get a few smaller gifts totaling around £150