How much do you spend on your children at Christmas?

[HuckleberryBlackcurrant]

Just wondering what is normal these days. I would say we spend about £60 per child. We have 3 children.

Nope- we spend loads at xmas, have heating on and go on holiday every year. You do you

Probably very few. We have to be careful with energy and usually camp in the UK. We also have a lower budget for presents. It kind of goes together with low income.

Yep it's a MN law - anyone with money is a selfish bastard who should read the room.

I don't care if they do, where did I say I. Did?
I was merely saying that these people do exist.

I was merely saying that these people do exist.

To what aim?

Very true and very sensible.

I don’t really set a budget, within reason, or I haven’t so far anyway. I just go for what we can afford that he’d want.. first year that was easy (and cheap) because he was tiny so it was very boring clothes and stuff, he didn’t care! Last year I think it was about £200, decent electric quad bike plus safety gear, couple of britains tractors, stuff like that. Haven’t even started for this year 🤦🏼‍♀️

About £250 to £300 each child. I have 2 kids.

Poster A: "I wonder how many people spend a fortune at Christmas and moan about COL"

Poster B: "surely no one does that?"

Me: "I know people who do"

Aim? To point out that yes some people do. That's all. Because if someone says something doesn't happen, and you know it does, why wouldn't you say so?

Because if someone says something doesn't happen, and you know it does, why wouldn't you say so?

Only if I am trying to back up the point of the original poster, which you claim to not be doing.

I only have one DD who is 5 & I would consider that we are not too hard up as a family but some of these amounts seem crazy to me!

@Terfosaurus also you have completely watered down the point, it wasn't complaining about COL, it was literally not having money for heating and still spending a lot on Christmas. Hell I still moan about COL, surely we all do whatever our income!!!!

I am definitely not well off but I make sure both my children have at least £1000 spent on them I can’t bare the thought of school friends having more than them . I’ve seen to many tears because of spoiled children bragging to my two Dc about their presents . I often will buy them the latest gadget so that they can brag to a particular boy whos parents think their child is more spoiled than mine . I know it’s childish but it gives me so much pleasure to outdo this family I can’t control myself.

£500 each on the teenagers and £200 on the nearly 4 year old. I don’t really buy through the year the budget includes an outfit each and something they want/need/wear/read the wear is always new pjs and undies/socks

I feel very fortunate to be able to spend that much I went through some very lean years when the eldest was a baby/toddler. One memorable year I had done surveys to make some extra money and had £20 of toy shop vouchers I remember walking in there and spending ages to try and get the most i could for £20.

Same child now thinks of himself as spoiled and is grateful for that so I must be doing ok. Some of his friends get far more one had an electric bike for Xmas in year 6

@hiddle yes I was backing up their point, im not aware i said i didnt. . I wasn't judging anyone for doing so though, thats what I've denied . Why are you so keen to twist what I've said?

@Thehighestmaintenance convenient user name ;)

This is a joke, right?

WANNABETRAVELER . No I’m not 🫣🤦 I must come across as a bit crazy

In the DS birthday/Christmas present stash currently..

A day trip experience £300+
A second hand switch plus a few games and accessories £300+
A couple of Lego sets he wants £100+
Gravitrax £50
A board game £30

A single football kit is £100. Funko pops are £10-20 each. A stunt scooter £60-£100. A switch game can be £40/50. A new outfit for Christmas day £40 etc. A gaming chair is £150+

I could quite easily go in Smyth's right now and drop £300-400 on my 6yo DS.

Very easy to see how it can mount up without there being mountains of presents or loads of tat.

I haven't calculated because I've been buying as I've gone along but I think around £400 on the 6 year old (he got a Switch lite and a few games plus a new football kit and couple of other bits) and £150 or so on the 2 year old (who I love exactly as much but doesn't want for anything because we already have it all in the house!) It looks as though the younger one has much more because her presents are much bigger!

I also bought one of these for the wow big present factor:

www.hobbycraft.co.uk/colour-in-christmas-cardboard-gingerbread-house/6588271000.html

Around £140 per child (8-10). This seems very generous to me, but they don’t have any tech so have a fair bit for the money.

Santa only gives them (pays for) the stocking items here. We explain friends getting more expensive gifts ie games consoles by saying that we transfer money to Santa and he chooses and delivers presents for them within the budget.

Several hundred. Already spent £200 on the first child and £120 on the second, but nowhere near finished shopping yet.

I just bought my teenage sons presents today and it was €360, that was for a guitar, a portable amp, a cable and some strings. We will spend similar on dd.

What with social media nowadays it’s akin to child abuse if you don’t buy (Santa brings) the latest must have ,my 11 yDD has her heart set on a the latest Moncler Fulmarus but I cannot find one under £1600 so it’s a no I’ve seen Moncler flammette for £1100 in selfridges plus I have a 10% off card ☺️ so it will come in under budget. My DS7 is into his computers and wants PlayStation points again but I know his “ friend “ at school is getting an electronic bike that his mum was dying to tell me cost £1400 . My DH doesn’t want a bike has anyone got any suggestions as to something I can buy that will definitely top this other child’s I’d like to get it before the Christmas holidays so I can let it slip to his mother. I’ve decided budget goes out the window this year so please ladies come up with something brilliant for my boy he really deserves a good Christmas.

Start saving for uni? 🤷