To spend less than £50 per child at Christmas?

[hibbledobble]

I read the thread where people were talking about spending as much as £1000 per child, and the average was in the 100s.

I can afford to spend a lot, but I don't see the need or the benefit in buying a lot. I plan on getting one large and one small present per child and maybe some chocolate. Things they will play with and cherish.

I don't buy into the consumerist culture surrounding Christmas, and I don't want to raise spoilt children.

Aibu?

Ham I shop on line with Tesco the whole year and my clubcard points pay for my food shop every year. I haven’t paid for a Christmas shop in three years. It helps that there’s only three of us and I don’t drink, I maybe get one nice bottle of wine to have a glass with my Christmas dinner but that’s it.

Hot buttered that was my ex colleague. She pre ordered the PS4 when it first came out so her dc had it as soon as it was released. Then when my ds wanted it and was getting it for a combined birthday and Christmas present from us and the rest of the family she kept going on about what a huge Christmas present it was and how her children would never have so much spent on them for Christmas

DP and I have a bit of a debate every year because my budget has always depended on what they want (and my circumstances at the time) whereas in his family they spend exactly the same on everyone every year ‘to make it fair’. I don’t think the children care what something costs as long as they get something they want. I probably wouldn’t go to the extreme of buying one a yo-yo and the other a bike but then again the yo-yo receiver would probably get a bike another year so it would probably work itself out in the end...

Msgame I've probably got some actually and sainsbury ones as I use their petrol every week and scan the card but haven't used any yet, away to have a look

Thank you avoidingDM. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too.

I would love it if this thread now turned into one where we all specify which lovely gifts we are getting for our kids and ohhing and ahhing with delight over each other’s choices 😁

I'm getting the Nintendo Switch for 2 of my boys to share (if I can afford it next week while it's still on offer that is!). I've psyched them out though by telling them that I can't possibly afford it and to forget about it

*U2^ I'm sorry its just not been a good day here, I'm run down and nursing a dying pet and completely over reacted I apologise. There are just so many things about being a parent that we are made to feel bad about or make ourselves feel guilty over. This one is mine, we don't have extended family who will buy and I remember christmases growing up full of family and gifts and love and I tend to feel a lot of guilt about not supplying that.
It's mostly self torture as we all want to give our kids everything.

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time

I guess my comments were insensitive thinking about it, but I didn't intend it to be and I should have worded it better.

Your children will have a great Christmas. There is so much fun to be had that doesn't involve presents and what you have got them sounds great.

brickfantasy.myshopify.com

I saw a link to this site on another thread. No idea what it's like but the person posting was very pleased.

Ooh where is it on offer please? Hotbuttered

MrsGame thank-you. Lego train and Fortrex for DS. Yes I know I should cut back and just get one or other but...

Kindness I'm similar budget does depend on what they want rather than setting a set x amount. I think as kids get older a set x amount does make more sense but not for little ones.

Smyths are doing an offer with a selected game, I think it's 300.

Great, will take a look. Thanks 😊. I’m wondering if the price will go down on Black Friday too. Actually Smyths are offering the Death Star cheaper too but then I won’t get my Lego points that would probably pay for another set!

It's tricky isn't it. How not to be "worthy" and "withholding" during a time of giving and celebration on the one hand.

And on the other, how to not be completely excessive to the extent that it depletes your (financial and giving) resources and indeed depletes the opportunity to enjoy what is given (too many toys, too much unwrapping, it becomes a burden).

I.e by giving too much, you can actually take away.

Complex.

My Lego obsessed older Ds1 is 17 and off to uni next year. He got the VW Beetle and free London bus from the Lego site last year and they threw in another little pack which i popped in with one of my great nephews Christmases. I do like the lego shop and its often cheaper than elsewhere.

I wouldn't expect much discount on the Switch for Black Friday, it's in high demand anyway so there's no reason for them to discount it. I'm more worried that it will go out of stock again!

He hasn't asked for anything thus year but I'm thinking he may like the Beatles yellow submarine as he likes the Beatles. Might give the fake site a whirl since it's not a main gift.

I think you're right. I will take a look at Smyths.

MrsGameandWatching

My little boy has been expressing his desire for the Lego City ‘city square’. It’s been really expensive in all the places I’ve looked at £150 ish but the other week it was on offer in John Lewis at £80! He’s been drooling over that one for ages! He’ll be over the moon! He’s also getting a box set of 25 Lego books which show you how to make different things from the Lego you already have!

I suffered one of those Christmases. Gifts given out between courses of dinner shock "stops the children getting over excited" hmm it was depressing "the children" really meant my 3 year old "Eat up your dinner and you can open another present".

Your poor child, what a grim thing to do!

There is a page on Facebook that tells you all the places that different Lego is on sale at so you don’t miss the cheapest price for things!

Oh that sounds good juddy. Do you know what it’s called please?

Those books sound great too. We’ve got more Lego than I can comprehend. Would be great to have some other ideas.

And I thought girls were expensive, pleased mine don't want lego or games consoles. I bought a wii once and they used it twice.

@MsGameandWatching

It’s Lego Bargains UK

@MsGameandWatching

The books are called ‘My Lego World Collection’ and I got them from the book people website!

The oldest is getting a huge lego set that he has dreamt of for years. He says he "knows" he won't ever get it. I'm going to take his breath away this year

Maybe Im just feeling extra emotional but that has made me well up! Bet you cant wait to see his wee face!

I have a 15 year old DS who is also lego obsessed. Hes been wanting The Simpsons House for years now although at the moment its the Saturn V Rocket hes asking for, . Simpsons House is £190, Saturn on Amazon for £165, only £109.99 in Lego shop but out of stock. Decisions decisions....