AIBU to ask how much you buy DC for Christmas?

[littlemisssunshine81]

Every year DH says that I ‘go over the top’ and apparently last year he had to ‘rein me in’.....I really don’t agree and as it’s me who does all the Christmas shopping I just want to sense check whether or not he has a point. Now DC are 4 and 2 and I’m thinking of one main present each (by big present I’m talking eg Paw Patrol Patroller) and 5 or 6 other things eg jigsaw, PJs & slippers, couple of action heros, book and some Lego. Really doesn’t sound like a lot to me! Will also do stockings with a few little bits, chocolate coins etc. TIA!

I think you're spot on with this. Christmas can be magical without tonnes of gifts. It does get more expensive as they get older so had a bit of a present list for grandparents etc who wanted to get a present but were clueless what to buy.

these threads are pointless - some people spend lots on birthdays, some people spend lots on Christmas. There is no 'normal'.

I've always spent between 4-500 at Christmas on my son - one major purchase such as top of the range tv, yearly membership to his golf club plus clothes, smellies and sweets.

For his birthday maybe a jumper or a voucher for £50 max

I always look forward to the threads on how little some posters try to spend on their children - I've never come across parents like that - Christmas is a very special time of year in my family and I absolutely go all out to spend on my son x

MY 3 dc will have £60 each on presents and £20 on stockings. I did go overboard one year and my youngest DD ended up in tears at opening all the presents and thinking she did not get the few things she had asked for. However, we do go to Disneyland so they still get a lot.

Every year I say to OH I'm cutting down next year and every year I end up spending more. DD1 and DD2 I've spent about £400 each on and still have a few things left to get. DS1 £300 and DS2 £200 , I don't spend equal amounts as they all want different things but put the difference in their saving accounts, we don't spoil them during the year so Christmas I do go all out, we do have a Christmas pot though to cover all food, drink and presents.

Is anyone else slightly horrified by the idea of a playmobil prison?

There's an airport security check too. The amazon reviews are brilliant.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B0002CYTL2/ref=mw_dp_cr?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Too much.. Every Yr I say I'm cutting down and don't. Teen dsis having a PC at £500 alone. ( but we'll all use it and dp will use for some business accounting)
Then he has prob £200, under tree gifts.. Football stuff, cds, dvds, games etc.
And £40 stocking fillers.. Deodorants. Phone case etc.

Dsd prob had £200 total. Same with 8month old..
But we save all Yr for it. And don't get in debt. I buy loads of sale stuff. Ie a v tech toy I got fro £22 reduced to £5.

I was shocked when I got it all out at what I had picked up for baby. So have put half by for her birthday.
Me and dp don't buy each other.. Just the kids.
I love seeing their faces. And they're always grateful for everything.
I have learned my mistake of buying for the fun of it and shite that don't ever get played with or even opened out the packaging.!
( donated to a local charity)

Dp is worse Tho and is always like oh xxx wouldnlike this or xxx would like that get them extras..but this Yr I have said no as we made that mistake in the past.

i spend way too much. 4 kids 10 month old 200 not including outfit. 4 year old bought her silvercross pram then 400 worth of toys not got outfits and shoes yet. 9 year old boy , got him lego, ps4 and other bits amounting to 800. and 17 year old girl who is getting new louboutins and louis vuitton bag plus all the clothing and makeup ive spend near to 2500 on her.
once you start big spending they expect it. they dont have lots of gifts but they are expensive ones, but i must say we do feel pressured to "keep up with the jonses"as all her friends actually get more.
we dont go into debt for it tho.

It sounds fully reasonable but I suppose the question is if it puts you into debt. My DH is the one who likes to make it loud and big and I feel like a grinch but I think every extra twenty or thirty euro spent at christmas is money that we need for food/bills/petrol to go visiting after christmas. DH was poor as a child and his dad told me their aim was to have spent both of their wages by Christmas day so they could have a huge Christmas. He laughed that they went to charities for help in January and me and DH once had an argument over it as I said I'd never deprive the kids just because Id gone ott at Christmas. I think most kids are happy with whatever they get as long as it's wrapped and they have the christmas food fun etc.

playmobil prison

Don't be fooled by the name, it's absolutely a prison. I would've loved something like this as a child and I'm still vaguely gutted DS doesn't want any of the fantasy themed playmobil , I had fun playing with his pirate set!

I try to stick to £300 each for my five.
Obviously the teen gets more than the baby and I do include PJs and some books and clothes in that budget.