How much do you spend on dc's at Christmas?

[justalittlelemondrizzle]

I spend about £70 - £100 each. They're 8 & 10. But from what I've seen at Christmas time -on facebook- eek other parents spend hundreds.

We don't set a budget, I just buy what I want as does DH. Usually one very expensive item then the rest on games, toys etc. Clothes, books, trainers etc don't get bought for Christmas as I don't see them as presents but needs.

I've learnt never to state amounts, on MN anything more than an oxfam goat and satsuma is classed as greedy as past threads show.

I have 2 step children too who are the type to ask what their ‘budget’ is for Christmas, then spend the months leading up to Christmas planning what they’d like. Bloody ridiculous and I put a stop to that when I met DH.

I thought that was fairly normal once they get to a certain age?!

I've learnt never to state amounts, on MN anything more than an oxfam goat and satsuma is classed as greedy as past threads show.

Greedy and entitled I'm actually surprised at how modest most peoples budget is considering that most MN's seem to think £10k on an annual holiday is not a big budget. Not that it matters, obviously.

About 40. He's one. He got loads for his birthday and doesn't need more.

I'm actually surprised at how modest most peoples budget is considering that most MN's seem to think £10k on an annual holiday is not a big budget.

Maybe that's where the money for the 10K holiday comes from

I can’t actually think of £500 worth of stuff my dc would want. Where do you put it all? We already have PS4, Wii, iPad, Xbox so what does £500 but other than a pile of expensive crap?

Perhaps they're buying the stuff you already have?

london not in my house it isn't. I would consider that rude.

I have a 12 AND 9 year old they tell me what they would like and get told that that's expensive or ok well see what "farther Christmas" brings.

They wouldn't dream of asking hiw much they could ask for because they don't think if items in money

Different way of doing things I suppose. Although telling your child something is expensive is sort of putting a budget in place, no? I really don't like the "let's see what FC brings" as I would hate to have a disappointed child who really wanted something but wasn't getting it. Mine have been told what their budget is from about aged 10. That is for their main present and then I buy them a few extras on top.

I spend around £3-400 on each one. I have two. However I start in September and I buy weekly along with one online shop to order the bits and pieces they'd like.

A child asking though how much they can have is completely different imo it's like they wouldn't appriciate some thing lesser.and aiming for the big stuff.

They only get told well see what fc brings if it's doable.
I tell them it's to expensive so not to get their hope ups.

london I'm sorry my post come off rude. Your right we all do things differently.

The people saying they can't see how people spend that much and then follow with 'we already have a PlayStation, iPad, etc etc' can you not see that for a lot of families that would be xmas presents? How have you acquired these things? We spend £250ish on our 2 children but don't have many other people buying for them and those that do it's something small.

I don’t think it matters how much you spend or how big the present pile is, for me what matters is getting DS something that he really really wants, will appreciate and will get some kind of prolonged benefit/use out of (ie not chucked in a corner and never touched again after February).

I really don’t understand people who buy piles and piles and piles of tat just to make a great big present pile

We usually spend around £1,000 but this year will be more as there is one big thing DS has asked for, but he is literally getting 5 other “smaller” things and he doesn’t get bought anything of any significance during the year.

But people shouldn’t compare themselves to others because £1,000 to me could be like £100 to someone else so don’t ever beat yourself up..... it really isn’t about the cost or number of presents.

Thesmallthings you didn't come across as rude at all. Horses for courses

Everyone is different with different circumstances we spend a lot of money but have learnt life is short and don’t know what’s round the corner, I don’t think comparing ever helps

I could spend £1000 on each child (not intended to brag, it’s just fact) but I choose not to. I think 5-6 presents is plenty for my nearly 4 and 2 year olds! Otherwise it would just be an unwrapping frenzy.

As long as a parent can afford it, does it matter what is spent?

I tend to buy things throughout the year and put them away until Christmas when I then sort through them and divide between Christmas and our daughter's birthday (in January) . Our DD does not get big presents bought for her at any other time of the year so I am more than happy to treat her on both of these occasions.

We probably spend around £300-£600 (she is 5) for her birthday and Christmas presents combined, but that doesn't then include a Christmas day dress and pyjamas, the cost of Christmas experiences in the lead up to Christmas day (this year we are having tea with Santa, going to a couple of carol concerts and visiting the pantomime) or the cost of her birthday party. This year she has asked for a scooter. I prefer to buy quality items so have bought a Micro Sprite for around £100 - I could have bought a cheapy scooter, but don't think it would be as good quality or last as long. We've bought her a big box of classic lego, a few board games, a bag pack of Bunchems, books and a Potters wheel (she never has a massive present pile), but the spend accumulates.

It does all add up, but I'm happy to spend it. I fully appreciate some parents spend loads more and some loads lesd - live and let live I say!

Meh. To me Christmas is about going a bit ott and treating the dc. Obviously if money is tight that’s a different matter but personally I don’t think people should feel bad about splashing out.

There isn't a budget as such, depends on what they are getting.I get stocking fillers through the year. When they were younger 3/4/5 maybe spent about £75/100 each. As they have got older the gifts have got more expensive. This year's list is a playstation 4 for my youngest and my eldest who is 12 would like an ipad, although to give her credit she said it doesn't matter which model or even if it's new just so she can use the art app.bless her:) Never post facebook pics of their presents..it's awful and it does make people feel like they haven't got enough

So sad kids thinking stuff equals love.

Very true randomer

Where has anyone said stuff equals love?

Says who randomer?

*randomer
*
That old argument really gets on my tits. Children can be loved and also be on the receiving end of gifts too. It’s really not one or the other.

I don’t set a budget. I look for stuff I think she will like and she’ll do a Santa list where she will get a couple of things from. It will cost what it will cost but it makes no difference as whether it’s a five quid gift or a fifty quid one, if it’s something she likes she won’t care how much it costs.

pagwatch said it best, it’s all relative. Frankly, I can’t see the point of asking what folk spend, even less point in complaining about folk doing exactly that on FB yet encouraging it here.🙄