Is £300 a lot to spend on a 12 year old?

[CuriousMama]

Ds2's friend is getting a scooter for Christmas, custom made and his mum said it'll be at least £300. She told him that's all he's getting.

DS1 when asked what he wants says he's not bothered. I've thought of something that's in the £50 bracket and he said it's a good idea. I'm just gobsmacked at how much people spend on their dcs? I know it's all relative to how much you have but this lad's mum is always saying their skint?

DS1 doesn't want much either thank goodness.

Is this a usual amount people spend? Maybe I'm a tight arse?

[Tobagostreet]

Everybody is different and has different ideas of what they think is the 'norm' for Christmas (and birthday) spending.

Neither of you are wrong.

[BeaWheesht]

Yea it's a lot to me.

However, he's not my kid, I'm not buying it so I don't care.

Why do people spend so much time thinking about what other people are buying?!

[suebfg]

We spend about £100 on DS but. As you say, everyone has different ideas. Don't know why but the people I know who spend more on their kids, aren't well off at all. Maybe they compensate for other things, like not going on holidays for example.

[ShatnersBassoon]

It depends if the child has an expensive interest or hobby I suppose, and what you see as value for money.

I was once bought a very expensive musical instrument as a Christmas present. I would have chosen something cheaper (clothes and make-up, probably!) if the decision had been mine, but that was what my parents wanted to buy me, so that was that. I didn't always get presents that cost that much.

The best policy when it comes to Christmas expenditure is to mind your own business. There are no prizes for the most extravagant or most thrifty present buyers.

[CuriousMama]

Yes there's a point about holidays they don't have one. We didn't this year either except for a little camping trip.

Good luck to them tbh and as you say it's his hobby. I was just shocked as £300 is such a lot to me. I just hope some skank doesn't steal the scooter because he leaves the one he has lying around outside. A few kids have had theirs stolen. I tell ds2 to watch his but you can't do any more than that.

I think I am a bit tight tbh. Ds2 doesn't have an android phone. DS1 only has my old Nokia but he's happy with it. He said he'll save up if he fancies an Android and ds2 isn't bothered.

[LynetteScavo]

It is a lot, but DS was really into scooters last year, and if he's been an only child, I would have considered such a scooter.

The 2 boys up the road were bought £200+ scooters buy their dad, just because he wanted to.

I won't be spending £300 each on my DC.

[MikeLitorisBites]

Ds wanted a £300 scooter but hebisnt getting one. Only because he also wants something else expensive that would get used more.

If he was really into scootering (is that a word?) Then i may have considered it.


Just get your dc something you know they will like, irrrelevant of the price.

I know someone who bought their 7yo ds a lemon zester and a garlic press for christmas, because thats what he wanted.

[olibeansmummy]

It is a lot, but it's up to them. Is he an only child? Ds is and we're happy to spend that, but we had 2 children it'd be £600 etc and it would be a different story...

[LadyLetch]

Yes, it is a lot of money for one present - but if you have the money, and it is a passion then I can easily see why. Other parents buy their children an ipad or laptop for Christmas. I know a lot of parents round here buy their children laptops when they start secondary school (at Christmas) and there's no difference in cost. Equally, other parents might spend that on a flute or other musical instrument for their child...

Further, I can see that £300 spent on clothes won't go too far either! So yes, it is a lot - but I can also see that a lot of parents would happily spend this.