To ask how much you plan on spending on DCs at Christmas?

[Snowflakes1122]

I ask because dc10 seems to have a lot of friends getting the iPhone 6 or 7 for Christmas. I'm talking 9/10 year old kids!

I was planning on spending £150 per child (we have 3 dcs)

What do you think is an acceptable amount to spend on your children at Christmas?

Totted up!

We don't spend on electronics but splurge on books and games, plus good quality clothes and shoes when needed. My children don't have everything they want (by any means!) but probably everything they need.)

Agree with the pp who said some spend £££ throughout the year on toys/games etc for their dc...which doesn't really make them more 'thrifty' because they only spend £50 of that in December.

New toys and games are largely given on Christmas and Birthdays here. Books are bought throughout the year but the toys and games they get at Xmas usually last the full year. On the other hand, I know plenty of people for whom taking the dc to Smyths to spend £50 on whatever they've just seen on TV is a monthly occurrence, which we've never really done.

We're skint. I'm saving up so that I'll be able to spend £90 on each child for Xmas and birthdays combined.

Bingeing on alcohol is bad, bingeing on food is bad but bingeing on presents is good. Apparently. So much so that some people have to stretch the definition of a present. So if it comes wrapped in seasonal gift wrap it's a gift, even though it's boring old knickers or socks for the year ahead, that you were going to get them anyway, because that's what decent parents do. Who are trying to kid? Why the need for a 'huge pile' bulked out with dross?

All in usually £200 each, but more like £300 on one this year as getting console.

(2 kids)

My kids get so called "dross" such as knickers and socks in their xmas gifts because they love opening gifts and appreciate absolutely anything they get. They don't expect to only have expensive gifts! My daughter loves unicorns and Harry Potter so has got some unicorn knickers and Harry Potter socks this year. But I'm glad to hear you've got all the answers on xmas and know how we should all be doing it! We have a wonderful family Christmas with our dross and my kids will be just as happy opening their Harry Potter socks as they will be opening their iPhones.

My kids get so called "dross" such as knickers and socks in their xmas gifts because they love opening gifts and appreciate absolutely anything they get.

Totally agree. My DC always politely decline one, possibly more expensive gift in favour of lots of smaller things because they love opening and the whole excitement and spirit of Christmas.

I was the same and one of my fondest Christmas memories is opening the pack of loose pens that my dad used to get us every year. We find it's often the so called "dross" that becomes part of xmas tradition!

It varies for us; we have 3 dcs 18, 5 & 3. My mum would always spend the same on each of us down to the pound, but I go more by what it looks like. The 5 & 3 year goto Micro scooters last year, which they've used every day. The bigger one was £90 & smaller was £60, but it was the same present so I didn't make up the price difference. The teenager tends to get something more expensive as he doesn't have magazines & trinkets through the year. We're not hosting this yearlier, which will savery a lot, but we won't spend any more on presents.

Sorry about the typos! Why does my phone make up non-existent words??

Dragonbait - totally agree!!

My DC, at 16.5 & almost 19, still love having a stocking (as do DH and I) and will be as thrilled with their dross filled stocking as more expensive presents this year.

DS in particular, now at uni and needing to buy his own dross, will, I am sure, be more than happy with a stocking filled with pants, socks, toothpaste, food items, stationary, toiletries etc.

But then they both appreciate all aspects of Christmas, including the thrill of opening a stocking filled with dross!!

Agree re dross. My 16 year old announced the other day that she can't wait till Christmas to get new slippers because she knows they always get pants, socks, pyjamas, a new housecoat and slippers. Yes they are essentials and they would get them anyway but I will probably spend a little more on the underwear than I usually would and there is something nice about being given something wrapped prettily rather than just in a carrier bag with a receipt. They both enjoy the big and the little things. I think if you asked them their favourite part of christmas gifting would be their stockings, and they are more likely to remember what was in it which year than which year they got an iPhone etc.

Being materially generous to children does not mean spoiling them if you bring them up with good values and understanding of the value of things - not just the price of material goods but the value of human relationships. Nor does deliberately depriving them make them better human beings, it can go the other way and make them resentful actually (seen it).

But the most important thing is that noone should ever feel bad for not having much money to spend on non essentials - the most important thing is for your kids to know they are loved, to have food in their bellies, to have someone to rely on and as I said, to know the value of human relationships. If you provide that over Christmas, and all year round, you are doing bloody brilliantly.

DD will get about £400 on her from myself and DP but I pay for it.

She will get more spent on her by her dad and her step mum. He doesn't live full time in the UK so goes over board. These gifts after xmas gets brought to ours (thanks for that).

DSC get the same as DD from us but DP pays for that.

I aim to spend about 50 on each (2 dc 12 and 10) but will go up as far as 70. Ive already booked tickets for after hours thing at Harry Potter Studio Tours (£50 each but went halves with mum) and will give them spending money there. Which means they won't be getting a lot come Christmas day as they'll have had it already. Luckily for them we have a big family who buy for them so they will still have loads to open.

But the most important thing is that noone should ever feel bad for not having much money to spend on non essentials - the most important thing is for your kids to know they are loved, to have food in their bellies, to have someone to rely on and as I said, to know the value of human relationships. If you provide that over Christmas, and all year round, you are doing bloody brilliantly.

Totally agree RJ (waves to all those from the Christmas bargain threads)

I love Christmas and put a lot of effort into getting thoughtful and well priced gifts. However my DC are only 6 and 2 and as Pps have said it's easy to buy second hand or bargain toys you know they will like. Older kids have a lot more specific criteria, it is often harder to find good quality and fit for purpose second hand stuff, and their options for 'main presents' tend to be more expensive.

I say each to their own, spend what you want, just don't wreck yourself financially for the rest of the year. Kids will appreciate whatever you do and there will always be those with more and those with less.

Exactly, Christmas presents are not essentials, and yes its people's own money to spend how they please, some of the spending here is far too much, there tends to be a notion that amount equates to love, which is so not true. We are spending £80 per child, they are 9 and almost 5 years, but that's all they picked out from the catalogue and Amazon. We will be going to Christmas at Cadbury world, and Santa at the local farm: as well as baking, decorating, park, all those other things that also count for so much.

Some on here will be on an extremlely tight budget, and will get a couple of presents from the bargain shops. Its the quality of the relationships you build with your kids, not the amount spent that matters.

I don't understand?
£100 each ??!!
I spend more like £600!!!
I find everything just adds up and up!
But no way I could do it cheaper ??!

"It's the quality of the relationship ....not the amount spent that matters " "some of the spending here is far too much"

"It's people's own money to spend as they like""some of the spending here is too much"

People are trying to reassure others with lower budgets, whilst attacking those with higher budgets.

I don't understand?

It's relatively simple.

£100 each ??!!

Or less.

I spend more like £600!!!

I'm not sure what to say to that. Hope they appreciate it when you/they can't afford university?

I find everything just adds up and up!

It will if you keep buying stuff.

But no way I could do it cheaper ??!

I bet you could. (Because millions do!)

You can't buy love. Remember that.

Luckily for them we have a big family who buy for them so they will still have loads to open.

My family buy them one or 2 things between them (and put some money in their savings) and DH's enormous family usually manage to scrabble together a colouring book or something cheap to give them usually in March.

Xmas isn't important to us, so this works for us.

Spice not really, my jaw dropped at some of the spending, but yes its people's money to do with as they please. I have not attacked a particular person, this is a public forum with different opinions.

In recent years spending has become crazy for a number of reasons, its reassuring that you don't have to blow the bank.

sophree Do you have any idea of how much of the population lives?

DC do not need vast quantities of money spent on them at Christmas. It is perfectly possible to provide a lovely Christmas for your children without pots of money.

I agree Green the amount of borrowing and debt has increased as a lot of people feel pressure to provide that 'magical' Christmas.

Yes Aeroflotgirl - Not least by all the people on MN boasting saying how much they are spending each year and even listing all the items they have bought. What's happened to one big(ish) present and a stocking? Now its many presents and a stocking.