Christmas spend for each child this Christmas

steph2901

When my kids were younger I spent more on things like games consoles that they wanted. But they are grown up now (22 and 18) so won't be getting as much.

pollyanna24

I am spending about £150 on my two girls, so £75 each and my parents are chipping in. Basically, I buy stuff and then we allocate what I buy as to who it’s from (saves them thinking).

I could spend more on them and sometimes think I’m being mean, but honestly can’t justify spending £50 odd or whatever on a piece of tat.

As for the whole consoles and phones malarkey that people are saying, surely once they are bought, that’s it for a fair few years or am I missing something? My two do have their own iPads, but they are about 5 years old and because they are only used for you tube etc., I don’t see any need to upgrade them.

Same for the consoles. They have a ps3 and at 8 and 10 are perfectly happy with this and I can’t see myself getting anything else for them.

However, I do appreciate as they get older this may change? But a new phone every year? A new console every year? Nah, not for me!

butter_peanut

I have been wrapping my family presents with newspaper. I have been doing that for couple years now as I find taking time to find all the shiny paper, string, tags etc, pay for them then home and wrap them, and then on christmas day they are unwrapped and discarded in seconds.
This year it's newspaper AND leaflets that come through the letterbox.
Anyone else done that?

earthmother

butter_peanut wrote: »

I have been wrapping my family presents with newspaper. I have been doing that for couple years now as I find taking time to find all the shiny paper, string, tags etc, pay for them then home and wrap them, and then on christmas day they are unwrapped and discarded in seconds.
This year it's newspaper AND leaflets that come through the letterbox.
Anyone else done that?

Not newspaper, no, but plain brown paper (an iron to the stuff you get as packing in parcels works wonders) with a nice ribbon, yes I do that - with plain brown parcel tags as gift tags (a christmas ink stamp and a bit more ribbon, or mini bauble, makes them look quite classy).

happyandcontented

I think it is quite easy to dismiss others who spend more as 'buying tat' whilst feeling quite smug that we are more 'discerning';)

I spend quite a lot, but I have never bought ( what I consider) to be 'tat' or bought for the sake of it.

A definition of 'tat' from the perspective of others would be interesting!

I buy to cater for a mix of what they want and what I know they need. I also know their tastes well enough to know what they will like, but obviously, I always keep the receipts just in case.

earthmother

'Tat' for me is usually stocking fillers - or the things these days often sold as Secret Santa gifts. It's all those things you buy 'for a laugh', or to bulk out a gift, but end up at the charity shops as soon as they open. I've almost managed to avoid it this year (did buy one set of 'pencil football' and a pair of novelty socks, but they're specific to a person).

[Deleted User]

I spend a lot at Christmas and none of it is ' tat'


However I do agree there are some people out there who wrap any old thing up just for the sake of giving.


If you only have a fiver to spend then spend it wisely eg a story / reading book rather than seeing how much plastic you can buy for a fiver.

butter_peanut

Not newspaper, no, but plain brown paper (an iron to the stuff you get as packing in parcels works wonders) with a nice ribbon, yes I do that - with plain brown parcel tags as gift tags (a christmas ink stamp and a bit more ribbon, or mini bauble, makes them look quite classy).

That's awesome, earthmother! I'll have to try remember that for future Christmases.
Sometimes I use old Christmas cards as gift tags. If it's a nice picture, I cut it out with pinking sheers (those zig-zaggy scissors in art & craft shops, haberdasheries). I hole punch a corner then tie with string.

candygirl

butter_peanut wrote: »

That's awesome, earthmother! I'll have to try remember that for future Christmases.
Sometimes I use old Christmas cards as gift tags. If it's a nice picture, I cut it out with pinking sheers (those zig-zaggy scissors in art & craft shops, haberdasheries). I hole punch a corner then tie with string.

We used to love making tags like this, back in the 70's.Happy memories

earthmother

butter_peanut wrote: »

That's awesome, earthmother! I'll have to try remember that for future Christmases.
Sometimes I use old Christmas cards as gift tags. If it's a nice picture, I cut it out with pinking sheers (those zig-zaggy scissors in art & craft shops, haberdasheries). I hole punch a corner then tie with string.

The idea came up on either the Old Style or Eco board a few years back if I recall correctly

I've done the pinking shears on cards too - my mum used to do it and I just carried on