To spend less than £50 per child at Christmas?

[hibbledobble]

I read the thread where people were talking about spending as much as £1000 per child, and the average was in the 100s.

I can afford to spend a lot, but I don't see the need or the benefit in buying a lot. I plan on getting one large and one small present per child and maybe some chocolate. Things they will play with and cherish.

I don't buy into the consumerist culture surrounding Christmas, and I don't want to raise spoilt children.

Aibu?

[2014newme]

Yanbu I'm the same. We do a lot over Christmas we gave a big party pantomime ice skating we go on holiday every month. Presents we don't go mad in. But we're all different!

[BakewellTart01]

YANBU. You can spend whatever you feel is appropriate. People who spend 100s or 1000s ANBU either. Each to their own.

[Kochicoo]

YANBU I'm doing the same and completely agree.

[Cagliostro]

We are all different, it really doesn't matter. They won't remember the running total when they're older, they'll remember the fun times :)

[kaytee87]

Buying children presents doesn’t make them spoiled. Children copy their parents.

Do what suits your family, no one else really cares.

[choli]

YANBU. I don't get the idea of buying loads of crap so that "they'll have lots to unwrap" Do people really think that unwrapping a pile of junk gives more pleasure than a couple of really well chosen gifts?

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

What if people save hard all year and their kids do not get alot throughout the year.

For example, someone who saves with a voucher place. A bit every week so they can spoil their kids at Christmas.

What about people who love to buy their kids the latest tech? A decent laptop for their teen?

Yabu to be bothered how others spend their own money and celebrate Christmas.

[ChoccyJules]

We spend about £50 on a main gift plus stocking. Add in stuff from the grandparents, aunts, uncles etc and they still get a heap each.

[wherethefuckismygin]

You won’t spoil your kids by getting them presents at Christmas.

[fruitlovingmonkey]

YANBU for spending £50.
YABU for thinking you are doing parenting the right way while others are raising spoilt kids.
I'd give you a biscuit but you'd probably lecture me about sugar consumption.

[TangledUpInGin]

Christ on a bike!! Do people really spend that much??!!!! I will spend £120-£140 for each of my two and think that’s more than enough!! It’s not actually about the money that’s spent, it’s about what your children will appreciate. I can honestly say the best presents we got growing up were from one set of grandparents who were significantly less well off than the other set, but they put real effort into buying (and making) us things that they knew we would enjoy!

[NegansBitch]

Not at all, spend how much you want.

A few years ago all my son wanted was some scissors.... he got scissors and some cars/garage (cost about £40).... HE LOVED THE SCISSORS and spent weeks just cutting and cutting every piece of paper he could get his hands on!!! Maybe we shouldn't have wasted money on the cars and garage lol

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

I'd give you a biscuit but you'd probably lecture me about sugar consumption.

[Gatehouse77]

You spend what you can afford and what will give you and your family pleasure.

Everyone has different values (monetary and moral) and it's the way of madness to compare with such a huge demographic as MN!

We have a budget per child but it's not set in stone. Sometimes it might be more, sometimes less. Depends what they're into.

[Susiesue61]

My DD has just said that there is a lot of pleasure in unwrapping a pile of junk 😁 Mine end up with things they need, wrapped up, like sports kit and undies. They love unwrapping even though they know what it is. Each to their own!

[Mamabear4180]

YANBU

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

All this superiority is annoying.

'Ooh I made my kids a wind chime from old toilet roll innards and feathers found in the garden. It was the best gift they ever had and only cost me tuppence. Isn't anyone who spends over what I see as a correct sum a twat! Their kids will be ungrateful wretches.'

[NerrSnerr]

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable for spending £50 but I also think people spending £1000 are also not unreasonable. We’re all different, parent different and do Christmas different.

[Watsonwotsit]

Spend what you like but receiving lots of presents for Christmas doesn't make a child spoilt.

@choli why assume that a pile of presents will inevitably be tat?

[caffelatte100]

NO, I'm with you on this one OP!
We spend a shed load on our kids throughout the whole year (think sports, activities, holidays, tutoring etc), but I don't like spoilt kids so purposefully keep it low key at Xmas, it's easy to get carried away. At Christmas, they will all get a present they want, say costing around the 40 - 60 mark. If they want something more expensive they need to contribute towards it.
But I also do stockings with things they need, are useful, quirky (think white company pjs, drink containers, school bags, fun stationery, nice clothes and books). My DH still thinks it's too much so we plan to do less this year....

[CherryChasingDotMuncher]

YADNBU.

With a bit of savvy present hunting you can get loads for under £50. Lots of shops do 3 for 2, 2 for £15, the Entertainer have good reduced gifts as well.

We’ve spent more than usual on DD this year (age 4) but mainly because she has been very good with her new little brother this year and has behaved exceptionally well in general. Up til now we spent £50ish on her. DS will be 11 months, we got 2 lots of ‘2 for £15’ at Argos, so he’s got 4 toys from us, no need for any more.

[FizzyWaterAndElderflower]

YANBU - my kids have pretty much everything they need - I doubt we'll spend much more than 50 (and that'll include things that I get for my own amusement like matching Christmas PJs)

[hibbledobble]

I can afford more. I could spend a 1000 on each, but a pile of presents isn't what matters. I'm not judging people who spend a lot, but I do think it's unnecessary.

Some people were talking about getting the latest iPhone for their child. Not only is that a huge expense when a much cheaper phone could do the job, but it also makes kids a big target for robbers.

[CherryChasingDotMuncher]

Ooh I made my kids a wind chime from old toilet roll innards and feathers found in the garden. It was the best gift they ever had and only cost me tuppence. Isn't anyone who spends over what I see as a correct sum a twat! Their kids will be ungrateful wretches.'

I just gave DH a fright laughing at this

Competitive frugality re presents is almost as bad as competitive frugality re weddings. “We got married in a hole in the ground, guests ate mud and drank ditch water, and they all swear it’s the best wedding they ever went to”

[Bambamber]

YANBU

Spend as much or as little as you like, All this comparing is nonsense. Isn't it supposed to be about special time with your family rather than gifts? Don't worry yourself with what other people are doing, concentrate on your own family