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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think £150 is a LOT of money?

81 replies

SacreLao · 04/11/2011 15:55

Right a Christmas thread.

I spend £150 each on my children (aged 7 and 9 years old) for Christmas, this to me is a lot of money, it has been slowly raised as they get older and things cost more.

My daughter (9 years old) is getting a netbook this year as she now does a lot of school work that involves using the internet.

I managed to pick one up second hand for £100 and was chatting to a friend saying I am now going to get her lots of small cheap presents to make it look a bit more in her pile of presents as so much of the budget has gone on one present.

She thought £150 was not enough for a 9 year old and that my daughter would not be happy with only having a few presents due to the expensive netbook whereas my 7 year old son will have a lot more presents as his are all cheaper (lego, action figures etc.)

AIBU to think that

a) £150 is a lot of money for a child and they don't need anymore than that?

b) A 9 year old is old enough to understand that some presents cost more money so they are bound to have less in volume?

OP posts:
ViviPru · 04/11/2011 17:09

I can't believe anyone would go about voicing such an opinion. I'm pretty confident none of my friends would.

The only thing you need to feel bad about OP is having such an insensitive friend.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 04/11/2011 17:10

Oh no Pag they wouldn't.

And if they did I really wouldn't care Grin

nicknamenotinuse · 04/11/2011 17:34

I went shopping today and can't believe the amount of shit in the shops for Christmas. What a lot of over rated shit, packaged up to the hilt. I have bought one nice 'wanted' present for each of my nieces and nephews and for my own children I have a budget which I have stuck too. That's it, no more. Done. Everyone happy.

Original poster
SacreLao · 04/11/2011 17:35

Diamond No-one forces you to read and reply to the thread!

Thank you everyone :)

OP posts:
AnotherEmptyNest · 04/11/2011 17:37

£150 for one child!!! Mine are lucky if they get £40!

jackiejones · 04/11/2011 17:41

Wow £150 per child. We spend £100 on each (well last year more on ( year old DD's because she wanted a netbook, but she got nothing else from santa Wink)

RumourOfAHurricane · 04/11/2011 17:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

grumpykat · 04/11/2011 17:44

I want to know what Merlin's talking about!
Big meh to the money issue.

happy2bhomely · 04/11/2011 17:55

Over the years we have spent between £50 and £400 on each child, depending on our situation at the time. I can honestly say that the kids have never been anything other than excited, and have never said anything other than thank you. They really don't seem to notice when we have a simple Christmas or when we have an extravagant one! All they care about is the special stuffing, putting up the tree and hot chocolate on Christmas eve. I hope that never changes.

I would never, ever comment on how much someone else was spending.

Original poster
SacreLao · 04/11/2011 18:34

shiney I do apologise, the threatening polite PM insisting on responses was meant for someone else.

I also insist you change your name and write it back to front!

I shorten people's names using the LAST word of their name, if you want to be named Shiney then you need to rename yourself Diamondcrazyonshine.

Or else [scary face]

OP posts:
RumourOfAHurricane · 04/11/2011 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GetOrfMo1Land · 04/11/2011 18:42

I don't give a flying fat fuck what people spend either - I certainly don't talk to dullards people about this in real life. £10, £100, £1000 - who cares? I spend what I like and certainly don't feel the need to justify it.

I am with pag and her Dr Johnson paraphrase - tired of mumsnet and tired of the same awld threads.

activate · 04/11/2011 18:42

you got a 8 year od a netbook because of school work

rubbish!

you are into conspicious consumption as though it gives your love a value

if your wish to spend a lot on yoru kids do - but stealth boasting is ridiculous

GetOrfMo1Land · 04/11/2011 18:44

It's like the other thread on active convos 'I am very surprised how many people are on interest only mortgages'

Who the bloody hell discusses their mortgage with their mates? What kind of fucked up dinner party was that?

Original poster
SacreLao · 04/11/2011 18:46

activate

She is 9 years old and she HONESTLY does use a computer so much for school work!

It shocked me also and has only started in September since she went into Year 5.

OP posts:
GetOrfMo1Land · 04/11/2011 18:46

There was another thread like this a couple of weeks ago where some mumsnetters berated another one for spending something like £1000 per child (think it was for a mac book and something else). MNers wanted her to explain her profligacy. Odd.

FabbyChic · 04/11/2011 19:44

Children should have the same amount of presents to open irrespective of costs. If your son gets 10 your daughter should have 10 to.

And personally I am of the mind that all children in junior school needs their own computer, they are a necessity in order to complete school work.

I'd never buy second hand though as it comes with no guarantees, they are out of date nowadays as soon as you have bought them.

When they get to secondary school they have to have Word compatible with their school in order to transfer documents from one system to another.

SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots · 04/11/2011 19:53

You're brave, OP, renaming Shiney.

Becaroooo · 04/11/2011 20:16

Good job ds2 (3) cant count then! Smile

OtterBjitch · 04/11/2011 20:32

Am I the only one who loves these threads then? I am endlessly fascinated by both the competitive poverty ones, and the outrageous boasting threads.

Makes not a jot of difference to the way I do things in my home, with my family. Because I know that my way is the best way

And I can't wait for the "MIL gave me a new iron for Xmas. Is she trying to say something?" threads on December 27th.

skybluepearl · 04/11/2011 22:11

A 7 and 9 year old can understand that gifts cost differnt amounts - so wouldn't worry about the number of gifts.

150 is a HUGE amount of money. Both the grandparnets and I spend 25 each on each child - and all my kids are very happy

really what values is she setting her kid up with? such expensive gifts

zest01 · 04/11/2011 22:43

Who the feck cares. I know our budget is less than many of my friends just from hearing about what thay are buying but if their kids are happy on xmas day and mine are who cares really. We have a big family which does mean less per child BUT it also means other siblings presents to share and always someone to play with your new stuff with you. Swings and roundabouts really - buy what you want for yours and let friend do the same.

Greenshadow · 04/11/2011 22:50

Would very rarely spend £150 on one child.

Have been exceptions, especially as they get older, such as Driving lessons when they turn 17.

Doesn't bother is if DC get gifts of totally different values - it evens out over the years.

marriedinwhite · 04/11/2011 23:29

DD 13 has asked for a Kindle and will get one. DS 17 has asked for doc martens and will get them. Don't think either are near £150.00. They have also been told they can have a stocking or £30 in cash each this year (am hoping they go for the cash). I usually also wrap up essentials to bung under the tree, ie: pens, pencils, socks, pants, nightie, etc. In addition they will get a £50 present each from both grannie's and a few bits for a tenner from god parents, etc. Complicated here because DS's birthday is also on Xmas day and we try to keep that separate.

I think mine get more than enough and have never asked for anything silly. The year ds wanted his own laptop it was Xmas, plus birthday, plus grandparents' money and some and that was all he got - except for his stocking.

FunkyChicken · 05/11/2011 01:14

Sounds like your friend's DD is a very spoilt little girl (IMO). Getting so much at 11? Why? Confused