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?

I remember what I got for Christmas and birthdays and it's a big factor in why I put a huge amount of thought into what I get my DCs - my mum never did. But I've also accepted that she didn't see gifts in the same way I do (I've read on MN about the different 'love languages').

It's important to me to find things they really love and will use throughout the year (I don't like tat really and the DCs aren't fussed either). I do end up spending a fair bit (although some is money from my parents and grandma as they don't like choosing presents but are very generous) as I keep ideas all year round of things I think they will love and I just enjoy getting them and seeing them played with, not just the excitement on Christmas morning - some of the things don't necessarily have the wow factor but will still be enjoyed and appreciated long term.

I totally agree one day a year won't necessarily spoil a child. You could just as easily have a modest Christmas but then buy them a new toy every week, even if it's from Poundland or a charity shop the constant new stuff could spoil them. Or they could get very little new stuff ever but still be spoilt just by getting their own way all the time or not being taught to consider the feelings of others. I don't think the amount of money spent at Christmas is a big deal really.

Haha Juddy, I wasn’t allowed a Mr Frosty either. My mum said the syrups would rot my teeth!

I do remember a lot of my presents. I remember being so happy one year when I got the Sylvanian Family house.

Ooh Girls World in the early 80s. It was so disappointing when I tried to use it. Trying to put make up on a plastic face with a 'crayon' for a lipstick! One year I got a transparent umbrella, my heart's desire! Loved it!

No I wasn't allowed Mr Frosty. I'm glad as I saw it on a recent TV show about old toys. It looked rubbish!

Just remembered Ballet Sindy. I got the blonde version and my sister got the brunette. We could never afford the house and furniture.

I got a Mr Frosty. I’m fact I have a new, unboxed one in my cupboard that I bought for ds a few years ago and he never showed any interest

I remember my best presents were:-

Super Girls World with the hair you could pull out to make longer and the eyes that changed colour when you tipped her to the side. Oh I loved her.

Pink and pretty Barbie.

Little play dough sets where you had a plastic model kitchen and you’d make little cakes and jellies and other food in little moulds to stock your kitchen with.

Fashion plate designer set.

Sindy and all her furniture and a travel case.

Astro wars computer game.

MsGameandWatching

Ha! My son has asked for a Mr Frosty this year! Father Christmas must have relaxed his rules on messy pressies because he’s bringing one!

I don't know why anyone gets her up over what anyone else is spending? On the other thread it's all "I spend £50, I don't want a pile of tat" but depending on the age of the child £50 means different things. I could spend £1k on each of mine and not have a mound of presents or a single item of tat. I'm quite intrigued by those who buy main present, stocking and extras under £100. I was in Smyths yesterday and toys are so expensive!

I don't know why anyone gets her up over what anyone else is spending?

I don't think many people are "het up" over what other's are spending. They are countering the insinuation by OP and a few others on this thread that if they are spending more than £50 they are "buying in to consumerism," raising spoilt children, using up the earth's resources etc etc.

That's what I mean room. Why do people seem bothered when others are spending more than £50 and imply it is a one way ticket to parental doom?

I spend 30 quid on average and my kids is ok with this
I always ask what she wants and am happy to exceed the limit
But she seems fine
Each to their own I suppose

I remember almost everything I got for Christmas actually (well not stocking fillers, but the bigger gifts).

My parents weren't well off. We got very little in the way of toys through the year. But they saved and bargain hunted to get us presents we'd love at Christmas and every one of those was chosen with love and care.

And I'll always remember that.

I wonder if this generation will have their own mr frosty? That they will always remember not getting? Or is it different now because there are now so very many different 'must have' toys each year and therefore it's sort of diluted and they are forgotten after Christmas when the new adverts start? There is so much more advertising bombarding us now. No relevance to the thread really I'm just waffling 😳

I remember most of what I got for Christmas, we were allowed roughly £30 for out main present and would then get pj's, colouring books and new slippers. One year I was allowed a bike as my main gift (was the only new bike I ever received as I always had hand me downs), I remember getting a cheap car race track (wasn't allowed the top brand). We didn't get a fortune spent on us but didn't miss out either and I felt quite spoilt. The highlight of Christmas for me was visiting relatives and eating quality street 😂

I lie Christmas and I spend lots of the season, outfits, social events, theatre trips etc. I spend a few hundred on Christmas Day, much less than some.

I’m spending £150 per child and none of it is tat and they’re not spoilt.
You stick to your superior parenting beliefs. Ha!!

I’m spending £150 per child and none of it is tat and they’re not spoilt.

I'd love to say I'm buying no tat. Unfortunately dd2 asked for a unicorn headband, a genie outfit and a couldron

I spend loads on presents at Christmas because I feel like it. There are no wrongs or rights here. Do what is right for your and what makes you happy. People should not have to justify what they do and don't spend on gifts.

Oh my gosh Increasingly, I love that. I can’t wait for DD to be old enough to make such requests!

Well as a parent of a 15 and 10 year old I try and spend approx same on them both. But Xmas has always been magical in our house and I grew up with loads of presents so do the same.. For the 15 year old I've spent that 50 pounds on one levi sweatshirt that she's been after for 6 months! Good luck with the 50 pounds when they are older and in adult sizes etc lol

Luckily only 1 teen dd.She gets the same as I had,one main presie and bits and pieces and astocking.She wants a denim jacket this year £19 pounds.She is snobby about brands in as much as it must not be branded.
This is our first Christmas for just us two so some money will go on a real tree and nice treat food for boxing day,some dvds and the heating cranked up.Perfect!

Who bloody cares, I’ll spend about 200 quid each on our 6, I’ve saved hard all year, they get little spent on them throughout the year and my youngest two have no grandparents or extended family to buy them Christmas or birthday gifts anyway.

My lot are not spoilt they are grateful for everything they get