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??

Not all kids want loads of stuff!

Who said anything about loads of stuff? Last year my son wanted a Nintendo switch, £375 with one game and charging dock. That’s all he asked for all year, it’s not a lot of stuff but it was an expensive gift.
If you can get your child what they wasn’t for less that’s great but appreciate that other kids want more expensive things and that’s ok too.

Hells bells. This is how my list goes

1. Something they want
2. Something they need.
3. Something to wear.
4. Something to read.

It’s a race to the bottom on this thread isn’t it! DD will get half an orange and a twiglet and she’ll be happy all year 😂

I got loads from Charity shops this year for £1-£3 all looks brand new.

£100 on mine, ages 7 and 3.

I will spend about £150 each on my older kids this year. Have spent more in the past but they do not need any main presents so it’s bits and clothes (they are 11 and 13 so presents are more expensive). Probably less on my almost 3 year old but will look a whole lot more!

We have a very small family so have always felt pressure at christmas as they don’t get much from others it’s down to us.

Oof this is all a bit much - not the amount but the anger.

I probably am not far off your amount - i reckon about £150 each child, give or take. I’m not sure because I haven’t added up. And that’s the thing - why have you added it all up? There will be disparity in amounts just because of their ages but it’ll all work out in the end so dont try and fill up the amounts to be equal just ‘because‘. If you’re struggling to think of things then you are done with present buying.

I have a list of stuff that I have seen that I have loved but that I think I’ll get at some other point in the year (summer hols and birthdays) rather than stuffing it into a single present giving extravaganza.

1. Something they want
2. Something they need.
3. Something to wear.
4. Something to read.

I really hate this though, I'm not sure why, it just irrationally wiinds me up.

I never understand why some people feel the need to check this sort of thing with anyone, especially random people on an Internet site

People some people don’t have friends or family to check in with so see what’s reality or not.

I have friends who are multi millionaires who buy ridiculously expensive gifts compared to some of our inner circle and also friends who are lesser well off buy gifts outside of their income.

So seeing a strangers point of view is quite on point, to see what’s normal.

Personally I will spend hopefully less but mine are in their twenties, however it is my personal situation, no need for others opinions

OP £200 Per child is reasonable and no where near ‘ridiculous’ at Christmas, along as you can afford it. Also, £40 each for stocking fillers quickly adds up with little bits and pieces. You can get a few things nowadays that equal £200 but if your children have years of enjoyment out of them, what’s the problem? I do however think £200 on lots of random things would be too much and a lot of clutter.

My niece is desperate for the lol doll camper van and I know she would spends hours playing with it, so it’s £80 well spent in my opinion.

Well I can't speak for OP but when I ask those kinds of questions I'm normally looking for reassurance.
If some people said a little more and some people said a little less, that would probably be my ideal thread.
If lots of people said they spent more I would maybe allow myself to spend that extra £50.
If a lot of people said "Woah! That's loads" I'd stop spending and perhaps put something aside for a birthday.
I know the money amount isn't the most important thing for the recipient but for me, the buyer, budgeting is a big part of the task. I want to check if I'm adulting properly in that regard.
And you can hardly ask these kinds of details in real life!
I think OP has had a hard time on here. As pp said her spend is average or a little under. The replies she's received don't reflect that at all! I wonder if people are being completely honest. I initially thought "that's a lot" but when I totted up my spend so far-it wasn't far off the OP.

The competitive low-spending on here is as the depressing as the competitive over-spending on Facebook.

So seeing a strangers point of view is quite on point, to see what’s normal.

But there is no 'normal' on things like this. In fact if I took mumsnet to be 'normal' I would think its the norm to spend less than £50 often on second hand goods as that seems to be the most common answer year after year, thread after thread.

People some people don’t have friends or family to check in with so see what’s reality or not.

I suppose I understand checking about some things but things like this, I find it harder to understand how it helps.

Growing up me and my brother used to have a sofa each piled high with presents and i presumed this was the norm. I always remember speaking to my friend who got a board game, basket ball and some hair accessories and I was so shocked so didn’t mention all my presents. My mum and dad weren’t well off and clearly saved hard to treat us to so many present buts we never got a thing all year round. I’m no where near spoilt

I'm actually confused by the posts saying people have money to burn etc?

As I said up thread, I've spent £600 on my DS. £350 for computer plus accessories. £100 on two games. Theres £450 already. That's just what things cost?

I’m
Sitting here thinking also how on earth can I buy stocking filler for teens For £40

We also put on ours... gift cards (Costa, Kaspas, Xbox points etc...) Lego of some sort, mind puzzler, a few selection of sweets, some comedy gift (last year was spicy chocolate) novelty socks, book and some sort of racing game... (last year it was wind up toy that races against each other) and don’t forget the traditional chocolate orange and real tangerine.

It’s normally on average (£70-£100) however for us the above is a traditional and long standing family tradition “stocking”

I really disagree that children who get more spent on them turn into spoilt and entitled teenagers! My DD gets £700 and has had this for every Christmas I can remember, when we left her abusive dad and ended up in a hostel she told me that she’d happily go with nothing - she didn’t go with nothing. She’s certainly not entitled.

She has no family, but me. So I do this every year. Spend what you can afford and what makes you happy :)

Mine are 4 and 6, I don't set a budget as such though, at their age they're more interested that they have a similar amount of presents, they don't understand value and would be miffed if Santa left more for one than the other.

It does quickly add up though, they love Barbie, lol dolls, Smiggle stuff none of which is cheap.

It’s average to spend that much amongst people I know OP it’s plenty. Also to those who state they only spent £30 and anything else is ridiculous then go on to say that their kids get piles of family . I would spend less too if i had family buying the kids that much. Some people don’t have others who shower their DC with gifts.

Also those who say this is insensitive to post about Xmas presents as some can’t afford it. Should we ban threads about holidays , designer clothes etc . Or the food threads that people have eaten that day as those are insensitive to people who don’t even have a slice of toast. There is nothing wrong with your post OP. Have a fab Xmas.

Totally agree @GarlicBreadItsTheFuture

Also hate the assumption that kids who get a "normal or more" amount spent on them will grow up to be spoilt brats. Not if they're raised right. They'll appreciate every single thing. Buying your kid something for a tenner doesn't guarantee they'll be gracious

*from family

I've spent £100 per teenager plus a new mobile each spread across the year that's to cover their next birthday present too. I think what you've spent is fine if you can afford it and is about what I spend most years

We're spending about £100 ish on DD for Christmas. She's just had a birthday so I try to strike a balance between not going crazy (money is tight, won't lie) and making sure they are two distinct events. I spent a little bit more on her birthday as that's her special day. We aren't exactly blessed with space either so we need to think about what extended family will get her as well

I don't think there is a set 'amount' you should spend on DC at Christmas, you spend what you can comfortably afford for some that will be more for others that will be less. Don't go into debt for it would be my only proviso. It's not worth it.

Wow some tight fucks spending less than £40 in total on their kids for Christmas. My 2 year olds main gift is £200 without everything else. I'm not saying everyone needs to spend that but I save all year especially for Christmas so my children don't go without. Bloody scrooges

@JinglingHellsBells nobody put any ideas I my head...it’s just a general wondering, like most mn posts!

@spanglydangly I never said the dc would know...and it is not a stealth boast in any way!!!!