How much to spend - am I being tight?

jon_E_begood

Ok as usual i am completely stressed about Christmas presents for my gf. I've spent as much as I can afford (£180) but because she has expensive taste it only actually amounts to 4 presents. So now my conscience is screaming tightwad at me and urging me to go and get something else (on a cc) to avoid the look of disappointment or more likely the statement of disappointment tomorrow. Whats a bloke to do? Should I have spent more?

debs66_2

NO NO NO! as a girl (a tad older!) myself, I would say spend what you can, and if you have really thought about her with the presents you have bought, then she will be delighted. to know who she is, what she likes, and to make the effort to get those things means more than throwing money around on anything to make the pile look bigger.

if she has expensive tastes, then she gets less in terms of amount, but more in terms of quality. if that doesn't suit her, my alarm bells would be ringing off the wall ...;)

hope you have a fab time

DenBo_4

I agree. £180 is plenty to spend on gifts, as you say, it's what you can afford. I think £180 is more than enough, if she's not appreciative of that get rid of her!

soblivion

Debs66 and DenBo hit the nail on the head. I agree entirely with everything they said.

moneysaver12

£180 is enough, if she has expenisve taste then she will get less

earthmother

Crikey - I don't think hubby has spent that much on me in the last 5 years combined (through choice though, I should point out - I've told him not to worry)

£180 is more than enough - as others have said, if she has such expensive tastes, then she should be aware it'll mean physically less to unwrap and if she's upset at the lack of presents, then I'd be worried.

Badger_Lady

Christmas presents I had from my ex:

- Year 1, spiky dog collar
- Year 2, camping cutlery (knife, fork, spoon)
- Year 3, dress watch (chosen and bought by my sister, who then told him to buy it from her!)
- Year 4, nothing

OK, he's not the best example! But I cared much more about spending time with him than presents... we would take mini-breaks throughout the year that I always remember and treasure much more than "things".

Anyway, my main point here is that your £180 budget is HUGE by my standards - I love buying for others but even my sister (always biggest spoil!) totals up to a max £50, and that's only if I've found "perfect presents" for her - there's no point in padding it out!

bloomin_freezing

Is this the same girlfriend all you other posts seem to be about?? If so, she sounds like too much hassle.
You'd be better off dumping her and treating youself! Sounds like you could do with it.

grotbags19

I'd be happy having £1.80 spent on me as long as you had put some thought into what you bought. She should be thankful she has any pressies at all!

azjh77

Just sent my bloke down the pound shop with the kids to buy my presents..180 is plenty. She sounds a bit high maintenance to me mate...and don't even think of using that Credit Card!!!

mumoftwo

It sounds like trouble... If material things and money are that important to her and isn't happy with what she has been given.., what then if there comes a time when money is tight or needs to be spent elsewhere? (like repairs to house, car, kids, emergencies, sickness etc). does her love and appreciation only gets expressed buy how much she spends or on how much has been spend on her??

Believe me, a mortgage and 2 kids later £180 spend on me would be heaven!!! I'd rather have a personally chosen bunch of flowers or cd.
So the answer is no, don't spend any more especially not on a credit card. Would it really make her happier? I think not..