How much do you spend on Xmas / birthday for LO?

[EternalSunshine820]

How much do you spend on Xmas / birthday for LO? I have one DD, nearly 2. I'm a LP. I have very limited support but some family/friends do contribute presents at Xmas and birthday. I'm part of a circle of mums, all the others are married, in couples where both of them work, in professional jobs (teachers, nurses, engineers etc). So it's not exactly a level playing field in that sense to begin with but the other parents are not millionaires and this isn't a particularly rich area.

I've had a couple of conversations recently where I guess I'm shocked to discover that other parents are spending/receiving about £1000-£1500 worth of presents for LO's special occasions (i.e. Xmas/birthday combined), in addition to which maybe £50-100 on a birthday party. I'm looking at something closer to £300 from myself, family and friends all combined, for the two occasions combined, in the course of a year.

Am I being stingy? I don't want my DD to be spoilt and would rather she has a few things she plays with and appreciates. However, I did grow up in a relatively poor and LP household myself and though we never went without, my parents/family would usually give one carefully selected 'big' present and a few other smaller bits, and it was usually something educational. So perhaps other families do buy a lot more and I"m just out of touch.

For Christmas, for example, I was planning e.g. small toy kitchen + few accessories, + duplo set, + a few stocking fillers. And for birthday e.g. scooter + few dressing up bits + few new books. Maybe some little bits alongside those if I see a nice puzzle or second hand something. Whereas, when I mentioned my DD's 'biggest' present to one of the other mums she just said 'oh yes, my DD is getting that as well', as though it was an insignificant 'extra' item.

[cestlavielife]

She is not yet two. Save your worry for when she us a teen and will make comparisons. What you will get her is fine.

[nancy75]

My dd is 10 and to my surprise her and her friends don't really compare what they got for Christmas, as your lo is only 2 you really don't need to worry

[UmbongoUnchained]

300 sounds fine :) I spend £270 for DD's first birthday and will spend about £300 for Xmas

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I will spend about £80 of my 11 year and £35 is a new mobile phone, the rest is stocking fillers. You don't need to spend a lot and at 2 it really is the boxes that are more exciting.

[Spilose]

I'm done for Xmas this year and I've spent £110 on my 2 year old. I think I spent £60 on his BD back over the summer. It's not a competition

[EternalSunshine820]

Thanks, that all sounds completely reasonable.

[deluxetruffles]

I am struggling to understand why you would need to spend that much money on a two year old? At this age, thank goodness, you can get away with spending a small amount. Fast forward two or three years and the difference will be immense. You will be asked for all sorts of things! I got my DD a little stocking when she was two. It had a couple of soft toys, some chocolate coins, a few books, a game etc. Nothing major. This year, she is compiling a list.... she is five.

[Flowerpower41]

All in I spend c £200 to £300 on ds who is now ten and will be eleven in March 2016. That to me is ample.

I always buy reconditioned xboxes etc. from ebay or amazon there is no discernible difference IMHO also laptops reconditioned etc.

It is essential to spend within your means or you are encouraging the children to live a long life of overspending and debt once they leave home.