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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to spend 80.00 per child?

63 replies

MerryMarigold · 08/12/2017 12:45

Most people I know spend a lot, LOT more (double or triple). Many of them (eg. DC school friends) probably have a lower income than us.

This budget is a present from us (around 30.00) and probably 50.00ish on presents from Father Christmas. I know what some of their friends are getting as their parents have told me. I don't want my kids to feel 'left out' when people ask what they got for Xmas, but neither do I want to spend more than what's appropriate. We could probably afford more if we used credit cards or savings, or didn't go on holiday as much etc. etc.

WWYD?

OP posts:

Namechange90 · 09/12/2017 14:31

Does it really matter what other think.

astoundedgoat · 09/12/2017 14:39

If it's any consolation, I'm not spending anything like that much. Will probably get a good sized bundle of My Little Pony off Ebay and leave it at that, to be honest. They might like little purses, too (H&M?).

We have a small-ish flat, and MIL has sent lots of lovely fun things (including Kindles) and my Dad is getting them all the illustrated Harry Potters. That's ample, IMO.

Don't stress out about it at all - it's about them having a fun Christmas, not about how many pounds and pence you spent on them, or put on a credit card. Prioritise fun things that they will get hours of entertainment from (ideally over the Christmas holidays!) over costly things.

tiptopteepe · 09/12/2017 14:43

Thats completely fine! I have spent less than that myself. Just spend what you can afford. My son has gifts from relatives too so he wont suffer for presents. I dont think theres any point in being extravagant for the sake of it. Find a couple of things they really genuinely want, a bit of chocolate as well maybe and leave out all the rest of the crap.

goose1964 · 09/12/2017 15:40

Allowing for inflation that's only slightly less than we spent on ours. They never seemed to compare themselves with their friends . Now they are adults and can talk about their childhood Christmas the things the remember was the year their dad did so many canapés we were eating them for days, or going around the houses looking at the Christmas lights with their grandparents, I did ask if they missed having lots of presents but they all said no because everything else was what made Christmas fun

Booboobooboo84 · 09/12/2017 16:08

Seems a reasonable amount to me. If your older child is becoming brand conscious then there is no need to up the budget instead be honest with him about what the budget is and let him have more choice over what he gets. If he has an £80 budget and decides to spend £40 on a top then that’s what he decides to do

Theresnonamesleft · 09/12/2017 16:21

Spend what you can afford.
Here though, the majority comes from me. The occasional expensive items from me. No way is a fictional character getting credit.

Agree when they get older you don't have to up the budget. I have an 11-year-old and 3 much older ones. They went through a period of asking for cash/designer clothes. So I made a deal. I kept £20 each to get them some stuff to open, and they had the rest in cash. It also made them actually think it they wanted the latest designer trainers or whatever, or if generic was still good enough.

GreenTulips · 09/12/2017 16:25

I was also going to suggest cash! £40 top of my money is easily spent - £40 of their money has to be considered!!!!

Mine don't get huge gifts - they get things they need and things they want plus a few nice extras

DD favorite present one year was a pair of tights according to her reception teacher!! Wondered why I bothered

NameChanger22 · 09/12/2017 16:26

People will only judge you if you say you spent £800 per child.

DD is getting a very expensive main present this year, so the other presents are very cheap stocking fillers - cheap books, socks etc. I don't know why I feel guilty about this.

frenchfancy · 09/12/2017 16:26

I'm spending about the same. I just can't compete with the big spenders.

I think if you want to get competetive about Christmas, then compete in how much time spend with your DC. Play a game with them, take them on a bike ride, build a den. That is worth far more than £££.

Theresnonamesleft · 09/12/2017 16:37

Oh and the expensive things have been paid for over the years using cashback, vouchers for surveys etc, plus Black Fridays. This for me has made these items available.

bakingaddict · 09/12/2017 16:53

I think I've spent about £70 on my DD (6) buying toys she'll actually play with throughout the year and a bit more on my son. I don't go in for spending 100's or 1000's on presents at Christmas instead we go on big holidays and days out Those are my priorities, someone else might disagree and think it's essential to spend £1000's. As long as your kids are happy and well adjusted don't worry about other people

gunsandbanjos · 09/12/2017 16:54

I’ve given my 3rd year (Scottish schooling system) January birthday daughter a £100 limit.

She’s 13, nearly 14 for those not in Scotland...

Turnocks34 · 09/12/2017 17:43

Different as mine are younger but I've spend £150 between two, although I have probably split that £120 on my 4 year old (Father Christmas is bringing him a bike) and £30 on my one and a half year old x

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