Xmas vs bday spending

[NoRoomInBed]

Do you spend more on Christmas or birthdays?

My 3 kids all have birthdays leading up to Christmas. I prefer to spend the money on birthdays.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

I spend about the same on main presents. But at Christmas there are more extras such as stockings, chocolate and 'not really presents'.

('Not really presents' are things they will like/appreciate but which would just be replaced or provided if it was any other time of year.)

[Afwan]

I agree OP, because birthdays are special to that person on that day, Christmas gifts in this house are a token (and I have a DM with a bday less than a week before Christmas who gets her 'special' present on her birthday).

I learned as a child never to get DM a joint bday/Christmas present!

[WhatWouldJKRDo]

Christmas. Birthdays are one gift, Christmas is gifts and a stocking

[mam0918]

2 different beasts really:

Xmas is all about gifts, a room full of presents (bargain hunt all year so not too expensive)

Birthdays are less about gifts (only get a few) and more about celebrating with a party for friends and family experiance somewhere

Birthdays so far usually end up costing more (during primary school age parties are expensive and experiances are usually expensive when you add travel etc...) even though they get 5x more presents at xmas

[Splendidseptember]

Interesting! Usually Xmas... But in your situation perhaps I would go more for bday?

Usually Xmas gets far more because it sets them up for the year ahead... With new stuff.... I like that wow factors of presents under the tree...

[ILovesPeanuts]

More at Christmas here

[Isadora2007]

If I had winter birthday kids I’d celebrate half birthdays tbh as I disliked having a winter birthday Myself.
In the op situation I’d perhaps have more birthday celebrations so party/activity that would cost money but less in the way of presents. Maybe one/two larger main gift/s then more presents at Xmas.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Birthdays are about the person. We usually end up spending slightly more.
Christmas is about family. We aren't stretched for money, but can't afford to throw it around for the sake of it. And there are a lot more people to but for.

[mam0918]

@mam0918

2 different beasts really:

Xmas is all about gifts, a room full of presents (bargain hunt all year so not too expensive)

Birthdays are less about gifts (only get a few) and more about celebrating with a party for friends and family experiance somewhere

Birthdays so far usually end up costing more (during primary school age parties are expensive and experiances are usually expensive when you add travel etc...) even though they get 5x more presents at xmas

forgot to mention my children's birthday are both winter, one within a week of xmas too

my birthday growing up wasn't winter/xmas but was another yearly holiday but I always remember the parties not the presents (if I got presents they where always 'themed' and never felt like a birthday thing and no one ever considered my likes, just a generic holiday item) but I remember almost all xmas mornings coming down to a huge pile of gifts which where much more thoughtful and fun

[SimpleComforts]

I spend differently according to what they want/need. One year DS wanted a rugby ball, so that's what he got, another time it was a computer.

I also don't worry to much about things being equal, over time, things even out. Sometimes one needs a new bike and another doesn't really want anything. I'm not going to buy things just to make up the value .

If you're having to think about where to spend the money, you're probably spending too much though. Gifts shouldn't be causing you hardship.

[CodenameVillanelle]

Always more for birthday. I know the stocking adds up but I usually spend about £50 on a main Christmas present whereas the main birthday present is usually a fair bit more! (Xbox, bicycle, phone etc)
There is always a pile of Christmas presents from all sorts of people so there is no need to spend as much IMO

[Jackparlabane]

Much more on Christmas, usually.
Birthdays tend to be something the kid wants, then a party or a trip somewhere. Christmas has big presents, a few.small things and stockings, but also presents for the household, trip to panto, etc.

Coming up to teenagerdom so that may change things, if they get more materialistic - can't get stuff.on sale for Xmas.

[ememem84]

We do more on birthdays whereas Christmas is about everyone.

[Bikingbear]

Christmas tends to be big thing plus extras.
Birthday tend to be one gift. Usually more spent on Christmas than birthday.

I know this year I want to get both kids scooters for Christmas. But I also want to get one a camera which will be more expensive than the scooter.

He's not going to give a hoot what way round he gets them but to me the family shared joy will be better if they both get new scooters on the same day.

[Mother2princess]

I have children’s birthdays starting early January

I usually actually favour Christmas
For them having said that I probably spend the same on there birthdays as I would Christmas depending on if anything is needed I don’t buy for the sake of it on birthdays because Of the sheer amount of toys as I have 4 children