Is 400 enough for two dc?

[Lipperfromchipper]

Just a Christmas question, dc are 6 and 4,
I have spent about 320 so far and was thinking if I spent another 80 between them on stocking fillers that would be plenty?? But I’m getting cold feet about that!!? How much have you spent on two dc of similar ages??

I find it crass to talk about how much you spend on stuff to be honest - but I do think it shows a lack of empathy to post on a forum where there are regularly threads from families reliant on food banks and worrying about paying rent.

Spend what you like OP - but the thing is you will anyway wont you - so I'm not sure if the point of this thread was boastfulness (in which case try harder £200 is nothing to the really expert 'rich' posters) or to get a reaction but it seems a bit tasteless.

I really dont understand these type of posts.spend what you can afford/want. Some people will spend 40, some will spend 400 some will spend 4000. Doesn't change anyone else's circumstances or finances.

but then they grow up and go to school and make LISTS
Maybe they need to know that they don't get everything on the list.
I give my DCs a list and say choose ONE of the things.

You are spoiling them and the lists will continue to grow. Stop pandering to their lists FFS and spend a sensible amount. Stop showing them they on;y have to ask and they will get. Stop trying to keep up with their school mates.

Christmas is a religious time of year for people who are that way inclined. It's not about spending huge amounts on gifts. Commercialism of Christmas has gone too far.

Why spend so much though? The magic of Christmas is the festive atmosphere and being with family.

@myself2020
Dd6 asked for a DS as her cousin had one and she loved it, crayola washimals and the snow cone maker she saw an ads for. Lego is an obsession with my dc so they are always looking in the shop and catalogues at them.

DS asked for a specific Lego set and a remote control digger (in his words “ one I can control”) and loves monster trucks, saw an ad for transformers and was AMAZED by it so asked for one.

The funny thing is these ads were seen in a hotel one morning a while back....we don’t have regular tv!! 🤣😬

I don’t think it’s excessive. £200 each doesn’t tot up to a huge mountain of presents especially with things like a ds in the mix
I’ve spent £250 each on mine (12 and 9) and a joint family gift of a new pc but I see that as functional.

Before anyone says I’m not from any particular social economic group, grew up poor, upper side of average now. Home owner etc. I just prefer to buy quality and things the kids will use than choose based on low budgets given we can afford to fund the items we buy. Mine only get gifts from 2 others (grand parents and aunt) too.

@user1480880826 because I guess I was unsure and as I said wanted to gauge It. I was thinking that I might cave and end up spending more to be honest.

Depends too if you’re from a large family. I have a friend who spends way less than me at xmas, but she has a big close knit family so her DCs get a big pile anyway. I only have a dsis and dm on my side and just a dm on my DHs side, so my DCs don’t get much from other family members.

As long as you can afford it who cares!
I'll spend probably 150 on my older two, each, at the most. Probably 50 for my youngest as he really doesn't need or want anything. They are 2, 5 and 8. We are comfortable enough and we can afford
it without saving before hand so it works out fine.

@JinglingHellsBells
Their lists really were not that long...I have seen longer!! 4-5 items is not that much. Santa brings one main gift in our house and we get the rest.

Mine are the same age and I’d say that’s not far off what we’ll spend. However we do try to limit the mania by getting just one large present that will be enjoyed for a good few years (2/3 of the budget usually right there) and just a few smaller things like a book, a board game, or an educational or enriching toy like lego/art supplies/telescope/instrument/etc. Stocking fillers come from the bargain shop, maybe 20 total per stocking. We go for things like food, cute new knickers, a toothbrush, a flashlight, etc over loads of plastic junk.

We have a lot of family who buy a lot of gifts for them, so the struggle for us is definitely more about helping family to edit gifts and go for 1 or two genuinely useful things over mounds of tat that will be in a charity shop in 8 months.

Why are you asking other people how much you should spend? Surely it depends on how much you can afford and how much you want to spend!

Mine is just one and doesn’t understand Christmas yet so it’ll be money in his savings account this year.

Regardless of how long the lists are, you still don’t have to buy everything on there. What if there list was only one item but it was a pony, would you still buy it because it’s a short list?

The point is, you’re teaching your kids that they get whatever they ask for regardless of what it cost.

@Darkstar4855 why not? Plenty of ppl ask these types of questions all the time on MN? Surely that is part of the bloody point of an anonymous Internet forum!?? to enquire about things, ask questions and get responses (whether we like them or not)

£200 each child in this house, I don’t believe for a second those of you who say your only spending £30 to £40!! How old is the child and what do you get for £30-£40?

These threads makes me sad. That people think they need to spend a certain amount?
£400 is a lot and they are only young but what makes no sense to me is the line of thinking.
I want to buy DC a good bike for either Christmas or his birthday, so for that I will be spending quite a bit as it is a big present.
But for the other occasion I will get a few bits.
Then next birthday DC won’t need a bike so it will be less money.

But this nonsense of having to spend a certain amount...

Sad.

@user1480880826 no because Santa does not bring animals (in my house) if there is something on the list I am not keen on ( last year it was a LOL house) then it simply doesn’t happen...so no I don’t just get whatever is on the list!! Just so happens this year I did though....

I've spent different amounts each year depending on what I could afford at the time. Mine are 16 and 13 and have been happy with their presents every year.

There's some mad posts on here but this is my favourite:
"Are you serious? My children are the same age. I might spend £30 on them each. We are above average income household and they are privately educated"

I've spent about £80 on my two year old if you count christmas PJs which won't be wrapped (they will be wearing those through December to get my moneys worth!) but some of the smaller bits e.g. Pens and pencils will go into a busy bag as we are expecting DC2 in January and I'm hoping it will distract them while I feed the baby. We've gone for craft and educational stuff (like counting and colour books) but am fully aware in a few years time it will be DSs etc which are obviously £££. Spend whatever you are comfortable with OP. I wouldn't compare yourselves to others as long as you feel it's alright, your children are happy (bearing in mind this might mean NOT needing to spend £££) and you can actually afford it in the long run.

I hate hate hate these posts. Carefully chosen gifts for a child are fine whether they cost £20 or £200.

What is NOT fine is buying more just because it doesn’t sound enough or look enough. That is frankly foolish and a waste.

Wow. Boast much.

@Yesmate no not a boast at all

it’s €200 per child I hardly say that is “filthy”

No it isn’t, in fact it’s below average, from what I can recall the average cost was between £299 to £500, however that’s an average.

Personally I wouldn’t have posted this on AIBU, you’ll always get the “One chicken can make 20 meals” comments.

Personally I spend what A, we can afford, B, what there most wanted gift is, and C if it’s value for money, regardless of cost.

*their

That’s your story and you are sticking to it. You crack on and enjoy worrying about whether strangers on the internet are impressed by your Christmas. These threads are hideous. Every fucking year.