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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to wonder how much people spend on their kids at Christmas

90 replies

donkeyderby · 11/12/2010 17:29

I noticed on another thread that someone was intending to spend £200 - £250 on their kids at Christmas. I thought it was a shocking amount to spend. I can't begin to afford that sort of money.

Am I being mean and is this a normal amount to fork out?

OP posts:

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 11/12/2010 17:31

Each to their own, so long as they aren't stealing or geting into debt it's no bugger elses business tbh !

Avoidingargosthischristmas · 11/12/2010 17:32

On each child or all together?

mugggletoeandwine · 11/12/2010 17:33

Normal for me, no I can't afford it, yes I'm in debt.
I want DD to have what she wants at Christmas, and I haven't got into any more debt this year.

What others spend is up to them.
I shocked at someone I know spending £2000 in her 4 kids, when one is a baby, and one a toddler, and I'm suprised at those spending £25 when they don't have babies and can afford more but if it's what they want, their kids are happy and they enjoy Christmas then fair play.

PestoEatsSnowWarnings · 11/12/2010 17:33

I've said this before, but I'll say it again...

as little as I think I can get away with

vonnyh · 11/12/2010 17:34

What Apocalypse said.

BelligerentGhoul · 11/12/2010 17:34

We don't spend that much - probably around 80 squid each for two dds, including 'useful' stocking stuff that I would buy them anyway, like body wash, socks, pants etc.

cakeywakey · 11/12/2010 17:34

It's really noone elses businesses what other people spend on their children.

Everyone is different and some people like to make more of a fuss at Christmas, some more of birthdays and some throughout the year. Horses for courses

merrycompo · 11/12/2010 17:35

I'm sure there's a thread about how much people spend in Christmas

I think people spend a varying amount based on how much they earn
I'm not prepared to go into debt over Xmas so spend a lot less
I'd rather have enough money to survive the rest of the year

Avoidingargosthischristmas · 11/12/2010 17:35

Well I know it is no one elses business but I still like to know. I am extrememly nosy .

GruesomeShellChillingTortoise · 11/12/2010 17:38

TBH i spend far more than i should and more than i can afford to (i don't get into debt i sell lots on Ebay or go without other things).
But my DC don't have family who buy them gifts so i feel like i need to make up for that which is silly but i can't help it.

matildarosepink · 11/12/2010 17:38

My children seem to appreciate thought rather than expense. Still, they're only young ATM.

sarah293 · 11/12/2010 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

merrycompo · 11/12/2010 17:39

how much people spend at Xmas thread

waitwhat · 11/12/2010 17:39

£150 on ds1, about £50 of that is new clothes and shoes to see him through winter.

ds2 is only going to be 3 months old on the day so we've brought him a few soft toys for about £25

mugggletoeandwine · 11/12/2010 17:52

Mine appreciates thought as much as a smack in the face with a lump of coal. Not that I've tried the latter you understand .
She wants presents, and I don't blame her.
I want her to have them so she will.

I've also spent £70 on Panto tickets and Ice skating for next Saturday so I s'pose you could up that £200 spend to £300 once lunch and a few shots on the rides in George Square are added on.

I have very little.
My house is a haven of crap and saying no.

There are no music lessons or horse riding or holidays. There's not even new shoes without me having to think about it and do a metal calculation before I can say when she'll get them.

Christmas is a day with no nos (no's?)

(And before anyone says it, yes we have takeaway once a week in winter, that's my treat. X-Factor and takeaway)

waitwhat · 11/12/2010 17:55

would like to panto ticket are included in that amount as well

said · 11/12/2010 17:57

It's pretty easy to spend a lot on teens though. A new phone/camera/laptop/bike all = quite a bit. Plus the few extras you inevitably buy. Easy to not spend so much spend when you have a big family

JingleBelleDameSansMerci · 11/12/2010 17:59

I spend quite a lot on DD(3) but I can afford it. To be honest, it could be better or more wisely spent or saved but it won't be.

I had very little as a child. I can remember Christmasses where I got no presents although my brother did (I was older and so could "understand why" at 10, apparently). As a result, DD gets everything. I'm trying to rein it in but I'm not trying very hard. I'll be sorry when she wants really expensive things though!

classydiva · 11/12/2010 17:59

When my children were 10 to 16 I spent £300 each, but you have to remember that Im the only person who buys them presents, and I dont buy for anyone else.

This year as it be the last year my youngest be at home and because he is so special I've spent almost £500 on him, PS3's and games aren't cheap.

I've spent £80 on the 22 year old purely because he doesn't want or need anything and he is hard to buy for.

Imarriedafrog · 11/12/2010 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nancydrewrockinaroundxmastree · 11/12/2010 18:09

I don't know how much I spend - maybe around the £2-300 mark on each DC.

I spend that because I want them to have everything that they want (although TBH their demands are not huge at 4 & 5) - I know that isn't a popular or fashionable view these days but that is how I feel. They are young, they are great kids and Christmas is magical for them.

Of course they could manage with less, but whilst they don't have to I am happy to indulge them.

NotAnotherBrick · 11/12/2010 18:14

YANBU and actually it really pisses me off to hear people saying 'I want my children to have what they want' - what on earth are you teaching them!? Do you really want your chidlren growing up materialistic and shallow?

Even if I did have a fortune to spend, I wouldn't be spending money for the sake of it. I'd be trying to get them something they want, of course, but not everything they want, and would certainly be getting them something realistic. I don't really want my children to grow up to be greedy and materialistic.

I've spent £20 on each of my four children - that includes presents to each of them from their siblings. £20 on stocking fillers each - £40 each in total, then. Even that's a lot IMO. Made me so angry to read that DM article by that woman sobbing that she only had enough money to spend £50 or something on her child, with the impression that she was going to have the shittest Christmas ever just because she wouldn't get every single thing she wanted. The only reason her new, frugal Christmas would be shit is because she's spoiled her over the preceding years IMO.

BelligerentGhoul · 11/12/2010 18:15

We could afford to spend more but I choose not to. I don't want them to ever think they can have everything they want - I can't myself!

The only time I'd spend more is if buying a 'family present' eg: two years ago we bought a Wii for all of us and last year we went abroad for three nights just before Christmas.

NotAnotherBrick · 11/12/2010 18:15

Children shouldn't be being brought up to expect presents, but to be delighted, and grateful that they're getting anything at all!

NotAnotherBrick · 11/12/2010 18:16

And I feel even angrier when I think of how little most children get in our world and here we have our spoiled, warm, fed children who expect to get everythign they want because their parents think and emphasise that the most important thing about Christmas is the presents.

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