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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How much do you spend on your children at Christmas?

285 replies

Lilybetsey · 15/12/2018 13:53

A FB thread about a woman who plans to spend £400 on each of her 5 children for Christmas got absolutely ripped to shreds.

My children are teenagers and I have spent about £300 on them, or main presents .. then I do an advent calendar each - usually things I have picked up over the year, costs about £100 each I think .

Doesn’t seen massively excessive ? What do you spend ?

OP posts:
Ninoo25 · 15/12/2018 13:56

Around £200 each

Sirzy · 15/12/2018 13:58

About £150 - £175

Igottastartthinkingbee · 15/12/2018 13:59

£125 each this year. They’re both young (6 and 4) and they have loads in my opinion. If I got them any more it would overwhelming, I can’t get my head round kids having £300 + spent on them (apart from older kids and expensive tech).

moanymoaner · 15/12/2018 13:59

I don't tend to set a limit I just go through their lists and get them what I can. We have overspent hugely this year and next year I'm definitely looking at it and not spending as much!

Mulberry72 · 15/12/2018 14:00

We have one DS12, we spend roughly £500.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 15/12/2018 14:02

Threads like this make me feel that I’m being mean with my £125!

CheeseAndBeans · 15/12/2018 14:05

About £100 each this year, tree presents and stockings. We have 2 DDs, 2 and 5.
Has been more, has been less in the past. We spend what we can afford.

Shaboohshoobah1 · 15/12/2018 14:06

About 175 each here - and you can’t get much for that! When I got it all out a few days ago I was worried it didn’t look like very much..,

BanginChoons · 15/12/2018 14:09

I don't feel Luke they need loads more stuff. If I spent hundreds on my 3 it would be just for the sake of it. I reckon I've spent around 125 each.

MrsCar · 15/12/2018 14:09

Around £400 each this year (3 DC)

There were other years when it was £50-100

We've had a difficult year and I've enjoyed all the shopping.
We are sensible with money and can afford it, so I don't care what others think.

Wheresmrlion · 15/12/2018 14:09

Probably about £200. £100 main present, 5/6 medium £10-20 presents and lots of cheap but useful bits for the stocking.

Citylivingwithdogs · 15/12/2018 14:10

I don’t have a set amount, it just depends on what DC need. This year is an expensive year as one DC is getting a flute and then will have a few more bits. Probably comes to £650.00. Other DC much younger and can buy big stuff quite cheaply, so probably spent £125.00.

Next year, if no big presents are needed will spend under £200.00.

Sirzy · 15/12/2018 14:11

Yes the rrp value of what ds is getting is much more than I actually spent! Special offers and planning in advance helps

peachypetite · 15/12/2018 14:13

God how many of these threads... do what you want for your family. Who cares if people judge.

Nenic · 15/12/2018 14:13

About £600ish. Only the one child though

perfectly1mperfect · 15/12/2018 14:14

Our children are 15 and 9 and we spend quite a lot on them at Xmas. There's no set amount, it depends on what they want. When our children were younger we used to spend less but the things they wanted cost less, now they are older the things they would like cost more.

I don't know why people feel the need to judge people for what they spend. It's also annoying when people say I couldn't imagine what I could spend X amount on my kids on. It easily adds up if they want an iPad, phone, console or even a bike for those that don't agree with all the tech stuff.

madeyemoodysmum · 15/12/2018 14:14

Prob £150-£200 including main gift small gifts and stockings. Stocking now cost less that a tenner now they are older it’s just sweets and a few tiny things

Bobbybobbins · 15/12/2018 14:15

About £150 each

icannotremember · 15/12/2018 14:16

This year, about £250 each. I've saved up. £50 limit for me and DH and we agreed with wider family small presents only. We've saved a nice food and drink budget too for once:)

Curious2468 · 15/12/2018 14:17

Roughly £350 each here. They are 8 and 11 but both autistic and have quite specific interests

Lilybetsey · 15/12/2018 14:18

My eldest is getting a phone, not a super smart one, but cost £300... I try to spend roughly the same on them all ... and as they are teenagers stuff is not cheap ... when they were younger it was more like £100 each

OP posts:
catgirl1976 · 15/12/2018 14:18

This year it will be about £180.

£120 main present
£40 two other presents
£20 ish on stocking fillers, books etc

sockunicorn · 15/12/2018 14:20

we've spent around 500 each on 2 DDs. they got bikes then a few big lego sets and make up sets. soon mounts up and they dont have huge piles. However every year is different. as long as they get good grades and are nice people we dont mind getting their entire lists plus some surprises. Its very much behaviour and effort based in our house and we have with-held "the big gift" one year for one DD and she had to wait until her birthday as she was awful (i had already bought it).

MrsTWH · 15/12/2018 14:24

Thing is, it’s not really relevant what other people spend. Everyone spends what they can personally afford/think is reasonable. I don’t judge others and don’t care if others judge me. Some years it’s a lot and in leaner years it’s less. Just enjoy the holiday! Smile

Intohellbutstayingstrong · 15/12/2018 14:27

Really dont see the point of threads like this Hmm

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