To ask you how much you spend...

[TheSunIsFar]

At Christmas - on your kids.

I'm talking relatively speaking.

My DH and I have about £400 a month disposable income between us after all bills and food etc and we've probably spent about £400 on presents for one child this year.

My in laws think this is excessive but other than Birthday and Christmas there isn't many new toys in the year so this is an ideal time to provide with new age appropriate fun toys and we always donate older toys (that still work) to charity.

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

Spend what you are comfortable/afford to spend. To me it is excessive but I buy DD bits through the year so maybe it evens out.
We are spending £60 and DD is 2 and it’s something she’ll play with all the time for many years. I spent similar last year

[LilyRose16]

We will spend about £100 on DD including some new Christmas clothes. I still think this is too much considering she will get plenty from grandparents etc. If you spend a lot it just sets expectations every year that you have to then keep up with.

[WinchestersInATardis]

It depends on how much money you've got spare and what the presents are. If you've got the money and it covers a much-wanted device for an older child, then you can hit that much easily.
I'm spending about £50 on DS, but only because I can't really afford more. I would if I could!

[MycatsaPirate]

Dp and I have two DD's each ages 22, 19, 14 and 12. We spend between £100 and £200 on each of them depending on what they want/need/ask for.

We haven't spend much this year at all. None of them have asked for much and DP and I don't really need much either.

Some years we have spent considerably more (laptops, phones, bikes etc) but it really does depend on their ages, their needs, your financial position.

[Neverender]

Only £50 but then she's just turned one and doesn't need much. Tickets booked for the Teletubbies live show. DH is really looking forward to it...

[swingofthings]

It depends on so many factors including their age, how much they get from other people, what you actually buy.

My kids are turning 15 and 18 in the new year. Looking back, I spend way too much when they were little. They were always delighted and grateful, but most toys got forgotten about after a few months. Added to this the fact that they got many more present from the family, I could have spent less and still achieve the same intention.

As they got older, I opted for one or two larger presents, with the rest being things that would normally have been bought throughout the year such as basic clothing, pyjamas, books, beauty products.

Last birthday, DD got some vouchers for driving lessons. She's now passed, but her big present for Christmas and birthday was a old car (from a relative who replaced it for a new car) and the insurance (from me). That cost a fortune so she will only get a few small presents to open under the tree.

I really don't think there is right or wrong but to make sure not to get into debts, and not to over-indulge for the sake of it.

[LagunaBubbles]

No idea, havent added it up yet but probably about £400- £500 on DS2 whos 15 and DS3 whos 9, DS1 is 24 and has bought a house with his girlfriend so getting them vouchers for stuff for that. We dont spend a lot on them all year round and birthdays are just 1 or 2 presents, maximum about £30, love this time of year!

[cheminotte]

It varies a lot from one year to the next. One year ds1 may get a bike, which as we buy quality lightweight (eg Islabikes) is easily £300. But that will be passed on to his younger brother and get used for at least 3 or 4 years before being resold or passed on.
We were discussing this at work and two colleagues both said £150 per child. One had toddlers, the other had teenagers. Seems an awful lot for a toddler to me.
Ds1 is getting a phone this year and some Lego. I won't be trying to match the expenditure on ds2 as that would be bonkers.

[wendz86]

I have a similar disposable income after food , bills etc and in total including all stocking presents, normal presents etc prob around £75-100 per child. I would spend more if there was something specific they wanted but they get loads from other people.

[Afreshstartplease]

I was aiming for 250 per child

In reality, one has under 200 (hes only 1) four year old has 250 and 8 and 9 year olds have 350-400

This was an accident

I got carried away

[knogBlinder]

Our daily income is around 3 * that and I think you're spending an absurd amount.

[LagunaBubbles]

So far DS3 has a Playstation 4 and games, think that was about £200 as it was second hand plus Onke Overdrive hes been after for ages, that was extra as its £150 and DH found it second hand only used 3 times for £65. Plus probably another £150 in toys, chocolates etc.

DS2 we got the Simpsons House Lego set which was £190, a second hand laptop for £80 and again about another £150 in games, chocolates, underwear etc.

[LagunaBubbles]

Our daily income is around 3 that and I think you're spending an absurd amount*

Here we go, this thread will soon have people on it like the last one.

[TittyGolightly]

There is a Christmas board. YABU.

[deptfordgirl]

It sounds excessive to me as well but if you're comfortable with that and your children appreciate it then go for it.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

Probably around £75 on all of us, dogs included.

[Tobebythesea]

That sounds a lot but if you have the money and want to, do it. We are spending £80 on our 2 year old.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

It's too much, look at what you're planning to buy and then think whether the DCs will still enjoy on in a month or two or whether it will be just another plastic bit that gathers dust somewhere.

[LagunaBubbles]

It's too much, look at what you're planning to buy and then think whether the DCs will still enjoy on in a month or two or whether it will be just another plastic bit that gathers dust somewhere

People can spend what they like on their own children at Christmas. You might not be judging but so many people inevitable on these threads do.

[Polyyolp]

It has increased as they got older.

1st Christmas (5mths) - nothing? (plenty of gifts from other people)
2nd - 8th - probably in the £75-£150 range
Then the games, gadgets and computer era started...so it was more.

Only have one DC and a high disposable income.

Main present this year is £260 (last year I think it was £400). I will spend another £140 on requested clothes (that I would've bought anyway if Christmas wasn't approaching) and then another £50 on bits and bobs. DC is 13 this year - I would say this and last two years we have spend approx. £450 on them. Next year, if there is no expensive electrical gadget requested then it will probably be more like £250.

Last year, from other people, they got - £100 from my brother, £20 from DH's sister, a gift with approx. value £40 from PIL (only have one set of grandparents now), and then 3 x £10 from other relatives. We've moved away from exchanging Christmas with most people now and just do birthdays.

They did initially request a laptop in the £500+ range and we said this was too much (even though we could easily afford this) as they have no need for a powerful laptop (or even a laptop) and already have a desktop.

[knogBlinder]

@LagunaBubbles

I have no idea which previous thread you're talking about but the OP specifically mentioned income and the amount others spend on their children "relatively speaking".

What was wrong with my reply?

[LagunaBubbles]

Theres been 2 threads I know of surrounding this in the last 3 weeks. It was the word "absurd".

[Bettyspants]

Completely depends on your income , priorities and how you view Christmas. I'd say that's ridiculous amount of money but having totted up the amount I've spent on silly little stocking fillers i can see it happening very easily!!

[Johnnycomelately1]

About 200 per child but some of what they get they would have got anyway- ds: cricket bat and trousers, dd: Astro boots, hockey stick and pads. Both: rash vest, underwear etc.

[LagunaBubbles]

Why is it "absurd" if the OP can afford it?