How many presents do you buy for your DCs

[MrsWembley]

I'm trying to educate DP in the ways of normal people.

It's DD's birthday coming up and he's worried about how much we have got/are getting. I think that we give too much for birthdays (and Christmas, for that matter) but he's a bloody nightmare and doesn't stop during the year, so it's always a struggle trying to find things they don't have.

I think one main present and maybe a couple of little things are enough. Let's just say, he doesn't.

I'm with you, OP. But I guess there's no 'right' or 'wrong' here - just different opinions.

But there has to be a right and a wrong!!

And I have to be RIGHT!!!!!

It's up to you.

There is no right way or wrong way...or 'normal people way'

One main and 2 little ones. You're right!

Oh and I would buy more than one large present and a couple of little ones.

It hasn't damaged my children

We get a big present for birthday and lots of little presents at Christmas. I'll also wrap a book and a couple of little things on a birthday but it's usually the chance to get a bigger present as there's only one person to buy for!

My dd just turned 3 and she has two presents both at £25 each. That's it.

I would probably set a budget and stick to it. If that means one present or 5 presents do be it as long as it is within the budget

I budget about £50 for birthdays, could be one big thing or several little things depending on what I think they'd like / they ask for.

Totally depends. There is usually something major she wants, so if we are buying that, we will then only get a couple of smaller things to go with it. But if one of the gp's are buying the big gift, then she'll get lots of smaller presents.

There's no right and wrong here. You and dh have to find a happy medium

I've never set a budget ,get what you think or know they want if you can afford it .

It's pretty arbitrary.

DD is 9 this month and is getting a small (but proper IYSWIM not a toy) sewing machine (£25 on sale, the most expensive thing), an astronomer Lottie doll, a few books on costume/myths, a coin album and a Camp Half Blood t-shirt. DS chose her a small Lego set and I've chosen a card game from my GM (who gave me some money and asked me to choose something - the rest of the money is going on sports clubs as usual).

That's the most she's ever got, but I just couldn't narrow it down and TBH I don't want to! She is into so much my amazing little nerd :o :o and I'd find it really difficult to just choose one thing. I can't wait to see her face when she opens them, especially the t-shirt. If I had the money I would quite happily buy more.

It'll be different when she's older and is desperate for some gadget (she has said she'd like her own tablet or iPod but she understands that's not going to happen for a good few years yet) or if she wants expensive clothes or something but she's not into anything like that at the moment so while she's happy with lots of smaller things (ok the sewing machine isn't small) I'm happy with it.

Interesting question. I've just bought DS (5) 3 presents totalling about £50 including postage. He is also having a pool party for 10 friends which will cost about £100. Which is a lot imo. However no party last year and gps will hopefully contribute. I normally try and budget £40 per DC and same again for party which we normally do at home.

Our dc are nearly 4 and nearly 2 and we buy whatever we think they would like. We also take them to the toy shop about once a fortnight and buy them what they want (they have never asked for anything over 40 quid but any more than that i would probably refuse - dh not so much). I suppose at xmas we spend about 150 on each and birthdays a bit less. And about 50 a fortnight on presents and magazines and things. I do think we spoil them tho. I am trying to cut down but i need things to bribe incentivise ds1 with!

Im same as you op on bdays etc, but im like your husband throughout the year .

Derek you are so funny. I love your posts.

DS is an only and spoiled rotten. He gets about £150-£200 worth of stuff birthday (summer) and Christmas from us and his massive collection of relatives.

He doesn't seem to have been claimed by the devil or morphed into a sociopath.

My Dcs are adults now but I still buy them loads for birthday and Christmas. It has done them no harm.

Many small presents - toys, clothes, books, dvds + a party
All 3 of mine are winter born, so birthdays and Xmas are in close proximity. We don't do "big" presents for an occasion for that reason. Like gadgets or bikes - we will buy them when we need and when we can.

We spend about £50 on birthdays and about the same at Christmas - usually one bigger pressie and then lots of bits like books/DVDs/PJs etc.. we buy for lots of other people and so the kids always get lots of pressies. Seems like they have plenty! Depends on your budget though. We usually spend about £100 on a party of some sort. Put birthday money towards bigger items such as bike/scooter etc.

My DC have no grandparents and very few family near us, so we buy a present from me and DH, one from their sibling, one from the dog and one from the cats! They make a list and we pick from that, with some weeding of rubbish or duplicates.

I have to admit I like my DCs to have a bit of a pile to unwrap, but I don't go overboard money wise. I tend to buy bits to make the pile look good, books (which I buy all the time anyway), colouring stuff, favourite sweets etc. We're blowing the budget to get ds2 an iPod touch this year, but only because one of our iPads is dying and will need replacing, ds1 has chosen to spend a big chunk of his budget on an activity party as he says there isn't much he wants. He's older though (9) and understands the value of money better.

I agree with you OP and my Dp would agree with your DH. We only really buy stuff at birthday and Christmas so I think we do end up getting more than if we had regular trips to the toy shop.
Ds had just turned 9 and got a big Star Wars Lego via Tesco club card, another part paid by Gp, Star Wars DVD, t-shirt, a few books. Spent less than the years where he gets a new bike (on his 3rd) .But I don't count that as a toy so he still got toys that year as well. But he has toys from Christmas that have been hardly touched.

Less when they are too small to know what presents are increasing over the years then decreasing in number but growing in expense by the look of it in my family! Just enjoy it! If you can afford to splash out don't feel guilty. This said we don't buy very much compared to some but our rough budget is around £200 per child's birthday we have 3, Christmas is cheaper as we have 3…

When mine were younger they used to get as many presents as their age, so 5 when 5, 6 when 6 etc. They loved that and it added an extra buzz to their birthday excitement. My youngest DD is 16 this year and she will get 16 presents, although being that precise hasn't happened for a few years.
I've always spent more on birthdays, because I never have enough money at Christmas to go mad would if I could though.

When I wrote Christmas is cheaper I must have been suffering heat stroke haha I mean each child gets less for christmas than on their birthday :)