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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how much should we spend on teens this christmas

40 replies

whatisforteamum · 12/12/2015 09:54

In the past we ve been very short of money and the dcs have had small presents or perhaps deals on cheap mobile phones and have been happy enough.This yr dd 18 started work and ive been doing fulltime so rather than buy something disappointing i would like a ball park figure from you wise mumsnetters.
Our income last year was@ 2k a month.i was thinking cinema or gym subscription any suggestions ds is 16 dd 18 .

OP posts:
Moonriver1 · 12/12/2015 09:56

But others' views mean nothing.

There isn't a rule for what to spend on kids depending on your income.

It's up to you and your partner to decide what you can afford and what you think is appropriate.

WeirdCatLadyIsFeelingFestive · 12/12/2015 09:58

You spend as much or as little as you can comfortably afford.

I don't understand why people constantly ask how much others are spending.meach family is unique and what is cheap for some will be expensive for others.

Spend 50p, £50 or £50,000 jeez Hmm

WeirdCatLadyIsFeelingFestive · 12/12/2015 09:59

Each, not meach obv.

SummerNights1986 · 12/12/2015 10:05

It's just not possible for others to give you a ballpark figure. An income of £2k is meaningless as information on it's own, without knowing what your outgoings are, how much in savings and so on.

Like others said, spend what you can afford or what you and dh decide between you.

There are lot's of people on mn that I Hmm at spending on both ends of the spectrum because opinions differ so much on Xmas spending.

missmargot · 12/12/2015 10:09

Spend what you can afford and on something they will appreciate. You shouldn't feel you have to spend a minimum amount or be influenced by what other people spend.

Cloppysow · 12/12/2015 10:28

I'm getting my two teens new mobiles on contract so the expense will be spread throughout next year rather than an outlay at christmas.

They're getting various other presents to the sum of around £100 each. Hope that helps.

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 12/12/2015 10:34

DD total £150 ... shes 13 ... these are things she wants asked for and a few surprises.
We have a bigger income.
Friend at work earns far less than you and has spent £700 on gifts for one child.
Its balancing what they need, with things they want, and some suprises.
I find wrapping up the nice food for their stocking like quality street, box of mistrals etc stops them being eaten in the weeks before!!

Cabrinha · 12/12/2015 10:35

You say buy something "disappointing". If I thought they'd be disappointed, they'd get lump of coal. If I thought they'd be appreciative of any effort I made, they'd get more.

ssd · 12/12/2015 10:46

surely you know op that asking this question to a load of strangers is like asking how long is a piece of string?

dont understand why you even posted it.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 12/12/2015 10:51

thank you.I always make my own financial descisions and dont believe in spoiling dcs however i dont want to be too "mean" as i work with all young people who dont have dcs.I think our ds has got some wealthy friends who will always get more.Luckily dd is always grateful for things from primark or anywhere the same as i would be.I think you are right its ds s ungratefulness that is the problem as dh and i dont usually get presents,Thank you cloppysow that is helpful :)

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 12/12/2015 10:52

I've spent about £150 on each of my dc's. Can't afford any more. (Can't really afford that!) My dc's know we haven't got much money and so don't ask for ridiculously expensive things. In fact Dd (10) wrote out a huge list to cover Christmas and her birthday and said I could take some of her savings to pay! Grin

cardibach · 12/12/2015 10:58

My income is similar to yours. I have 1DD. I couldn't afford a gym membership. I probably spend around £100-£150 in total, but as others have said, it really depends on your outgoings as well as what you think is appropriate and what your DCs want/need.

Aftershock15 · 12/12/2015 11:06

I don't even try to spend the same on each child. We buy them what they want/we think they will like/we think is a sensible amount to buy.

Ds1 will get a new bike plus some other bits he wants
Ds2 hasn't really asked for anything so not sure
Ds3 has asked for a few books and will get a PlayStation game

Next year it might be ds2 wanting the big thing. Luckily they never add up the costs of each other's gifts.

bunnie1975 · 12/12/2015 11:21

16 yr old DD has a Xbox one, some games, stocking things and £150 cash.
12 yr old DD has had about £300 spent on her.
4 yr old DS has had about £200 spent on him.

Depends on your family and what you want to do.

Babyroobs · 12/12/2015 11:28

I have 3 teenage ds's and will apend around £200 on each.They had around £400 each spent on them last Christmas but that was an exception as they had Xboxes/ playstations. I hate so much materialism so they will just be getting a few PS games, some clothes that they need and chocolates etc. They don't receive presents from any extended family though just some money from my dd. Just spend what you can afford. i think gym membership is a great idea.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 12/12/2015 11:34

I meant to say gym membership is a month for month thing.Ds is a great gamer and the fact he went for a trial gym session i was pleased to see him do something out of the house :).wE have done joint laptop or xbox in the past however now it is less clear what to get,I have said no to £500 mobile as i have £25 one and feel that is something to work and for ds to save for.

OP posts:
TheWitTank · 12/12/2015 11:34

There really isn't an answer for this question -you spend what you can comfortably budget for. For example, my friends are very rich -each child (adult age) got a new Mercedes a few years back. For them, this is an in-budget present. It isn't a huge amount of money for them, whereas for me it would obviously be totally out of reach! Buy what you think they would love and what you can afford. Have a wonderful Christmas Xmas Smile

Lucylou333 · 12/12/2015 12:19

I am also on about 2 grand a month but 1700 outgoings (before food!) so it's a very individual thing. I have spent about 200 on DD for main presents and stocking which is full of essential bits( deodorant, knickers, socks, toiletries and some pjs). This year however her boyfriend of 5 months and his family have spent 1000 on her Shock. Feel pretty shitty about it as I certainly can't spend that on him and I can't decide if it's sweet and generous or OTT and mad!

Just spend what you can afford and what she'd like.

chickenstylepieces · 12/12/2015 12:22

I agree with some that xmas isn't about how much money you spend, but actually i think a gym or sports club membership is a really good idea. Its keeps them active and healthy.

SanityClause · 12/12/2015 12:35

We work out what our DC want or need, and then see if we can afford that.

Some years we spend more than others. This year, DS doesn't really want or need anything that's a "main" present, so we're getting something a bit smaller, (but still lovely) as we know that in future years he is likely to want or need much more expensive things.

DD2 asked for something a bit more expensive a few months ago, so I suggested that if she wanted it, it would have to be a Christmas present, which she was happy with. This will mean we spend more on her than DS this year.

So, it all evens out in the end.

SanityClause · 12/12/2015 12:38

Bloody hell, Lucylou! That's a bit much! What if they break up just after Christmas? Shock

tametempo · 12/12/2015 12:55

lucylou I can't help but ask, what have they bought her?!

Lucylou333 · 12/12/2015 17:15

Right they have brought her-
A Michael Cors watch
Pandora earrings, necklace and 2 rings
4 different perfumes
Urban decay palettes
Some personalised Nike trainers
Wildfox pjs
Barbour coat
And "a few other bits".

Bit much but DD is pretty happy not sure how pleased he'll be with his Confused.

DontOpenDeadInside · 12/12/2015 17:18

£153.24 Wink

dementedma · 12/12/2015 17:23

4 different perfumes???

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