How much do you spend on birthday presents for your child?

[Myal]

I have a 3 year old daughter and have yet to spend more than £50 on a present for her whether that's birthday or little bits.
Most of her things like cot, toys etc have been second hand and clothes are from Primark or supermarkets.
Purely because I know she'll outgrow them soon or because she does receive a lot from family and I don't want to set a trend.

My husbands ex on the other hand has spent a lot on her son (my SS) and birthdays and christmases tend to be very expensive for us all.

But, it's her daughters birthday this week who's just turning 5 and shes spent an eye watering £300 on a switch for her?!
I mean come on, is this the actual norm for families now?

[Keepyourginup]

You sound sensbile. Unless it a major one off present (bike, big outdoor toy etc) then there is no need to spend a lot on a 3 year old (or any younger child). They don't know the value of money and their pleasure comes from opening presents. £300 for a 5 year old is crazy. We've had some 'expensive' years - climbing frame one year but it still gets used 5 years later. While they were young didn't spend much. Now they are older, if they ask for something expensive, they know that is the 'main' present and will only get a few little bits (socks, chocolates etc) to go with it.

[crumpetsandcoffee]

I spend around £100 on birthdays and between £250/£350 on Xmas, depending on what they want. I have friends who spend more and some who spend less though. Once they start getting bigger things become more expensive! Although I would have left a £300 gift until Xmas

[ScissorsBike]

Around £150 on birthday presents, same at Christmas.

[VashtaNerada]

Depends on income I suppose. I couldn’t afford to buy a Switch for my DC but tbh if I had the money I probably would! £50 sounds about right to me although mine are older and a bit more demanding so that can be hard sometimes when they want the same as their peers.

[georgialondon]

We have little ones. A couple of hundred I guess. Could do just as well on £50 if need be!

[HarrysMummy17]

£50 for a 3 year old seems fine. I didn't spend much more in my 4 yr old last month, but I knew his grandparents, aunts and uncles would all spoil him so he had plenty of presents!
It gets more for the older children when they want computers, games, bikes etc

[AfterSchoolWorry]

Usually about €200+ Has to be a 'big ticket item'.

And then party.

Always sigh of relief when it's over.

[WeeM]

3 is a good age because you can buy them anything and they are happy just ripping off the paper . I probably end up spending more than I set out to, maybe £150 but some of that Is usually some new clothes that she needs anyway. £50 sounds absolutely fine for a 3 year old.

[asteri76]

I have most probably spent in excess of £300 on my soon to be 5 year old ds.. This is mainly down to guilt as he won't be having a birthday party.

[Ronnie27]

I tend to get them what they want so the cost varies. It’s definitely more expensive now they’re older and want the £ tech.

We bought a Switch for ds’ birthday this year which cost more than we usually spend but he had wanted one for a while and tbh he hardly ever asks for anything so it’s nice to indulge him when he does take a fancy.

[NuffSaidSam]

I spend as little as possible whilst still getting them what they want and/or what I think they'd like/need. I will get stuff second hand where possible (for the environmental reasons as well as financial).

So, it depends massively on what the present is for that birthday/Christmas.

I think £50 is absolutely fine for a 3 year old though. I also think it's ok to get a Switch (although 5 seems a little young).

I would avoid getting into the I must spend X amount mindset if possible.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

My DS's are 10 and 14 and we spend about £250 for birthdays and £350 for Christmas each child

[mam0918]

everyone is different at the end of the day we all choose our own way and someone wont like it

My kids get £50 worth of presesnts for birthday + a party every year (approx. £100) and we go on a holiday on their birthday too (which is something we can all enjoy together)

at xmas my kids get a max of £150 worth of gifts but I buy all year round in sales and Im not ashamed to buy second hand so they get a LOT of stuff

I do the room full of presents because too me as a child there was nothing as magical as walking into a whole room of gifts and we dont wrap things we have them out ready to play with as its visual and practical (I remember it sucked as a kid waiting for stuff to be built or set up lol)

people always try and shame the 'too many gifts' mums on thread at xmas and I always here the 'but some children have nothing so your being selfish' but half of them spend more than us just to buy one item + many buy their kids expensive things for birthdays and/or throughout the year + many comment they have big families which give gifts too (which not everyone is lucky enough to have)

its just we are all different with different family 'cultures' and our own unique priorities

[UnderTheBus]

I think many families do spend a lot. I remember threads on here at Christmas time with people spending hundreds of pounds per child. If they can afford it, good for them. To be honest I probably could afford it but wouldnt want to spend that sort of money.

DD is 3 and we spend around £120 on Christmas presents but only about £30 on birthday. Her birthday is fairly close to Christmas and there wasnt anything she needed. My limit for birthdays is about £50 but if there was something she really wanted/needed I would up it but certainly no more than 100.

[ScarfLadysBag]

I think it's just personal preference and circumstances. I probably spent £150 on DD's first birthday but she's PFB (and will be an only) and I enjoy spending my disposable income on her and I can afford it. I don't really think about the cost of stuff (within reason), more the value of it. I spend a lot of money on her clothes as I buy from smaller organic clothing retailers, but again it's just personal preference and I can afford to do so.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I spend about £200 on DS who is almost 7 but I didn't when he was younger. It's a personal thing. He's an only child so I can afford it.

[PennyArrowBar]

Spend what you want/like/can afford. I save/buy and put away year round for my DS. What someone else does or doesn't spend has no bearing on you.