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??

300-350 maximum for all presents including main presents obviously, although mine are older and gadgets are expensive. When they were younger it was about 80-100 each as I would buy them a wooden dolls house or a little bike. I would not set a precedent that you can't afford to keep up every year, otherwise you cause disappointment in the future. Better to set a budget you can stick to every year.

Surprise gifts that bring joy, thoughtful gifts and ones that are silly can cost very little but can be a huge hit on christmas day. Some christmas chocolate, surprise snow (fake) and lots of cuddles and a happy jolly day will provide better memories than expensive toys.

As will a big box!!

What do people who spend £50 buy ?

Quite honestly my 9 year old will get about £250/300 worth and 1 year old about £100.

The 1 year old has a tractor toy (£25)
A mini keyboard/piano thing (£15)
1 new outfit (£15)
Building blocks (£10)
And a big wooden activity cube toy (£40)

Will also get selection box and stocking fillers, maybe another gift if we come across anything.

9 year old will get more than that but will include some tech so automatically pushes the amount higher.

Mind you I do agree that many people buy bikes as between times presents - we always got good second hand ones when they needed the next size up (younger siblings always get hand me down bikes, but our older two were the same height for a decade until the older one hit puberty so that only worked for dc3). We only spent big money on brand new bikes once they were tall enough for adult bikes which will serve them for years.

Yes we spend on holidays and to some extent extra curricular activities and school trips rather than splash out massively on big piles at Christmas.

@Passthecherrycoke

If a child “needs” a scooter and a parent can not afford it, they’ll probably use the plethora of second hand selling sites or charity shoes. I recognise I am privileged and can afford a new bike or scooter but money can be tight and I’ve happily purchased second hand stuff. Some people on MN really don’t know how many people live.

What does it matter what you spend on them?

There are people who can't afford 400p!

Seriously how shallow.

If you decide you have spent too much take the gifts or put them away for a birthday.

If you have that much to spend - save it for the teenage years. It’s much more hurty as they get older, and little ones love the whole experience of FC, the paper, ‘he’s been!’ Rather than what’s in them. One press each they both love and just a FEW silly things more for the unwrapping (hopefully not too eco-crappy).

@Danni91
If people only have £50 it’ll be things the child needs or that cost less than £50. Or getting things second hand. If it’s all they have it’s all they have.

I haven’t spent that much on my two of the same ages, and they have good quality bikes (albeit second hand). In a normal year, it’d Probably be less than £300 between them, including Christmas jumpers etc

It's not the amount you spend, it's the appropriateness of the presents for the recipient.

You sound a bit thoughtless OP.

My 3 DS (23, 17 & 11) get £100 in cash and £50 on a little Xmas bag (boxers, socks smellies etc). They all prefer to go buy what they want themselves and all are past believing in santa.
£200 per child to me is pretty acceptable if it's affordable for you.

I’ve spent 580 on my daughters first birthday it does include her party and everything though. I definitely went over board on toys and she won’t even know what’s happening.

I think depending on circumstances 200 each is okay, everything costs so much more now. X

Danni91 for a 1 year old just one of those surely, if people are spending less. Blindingly obvious. A 1 year old usually finds more than 2 presents overwhelming/ is only interested in one toy or only interested in the box. Most subsequent children already have all dc1s toys so have more than they can play with already.

I have a £150.00 limit on each of mine. They’re 6 and 4.

I don’t don’t spend the full budget for the sake of it, but as I don’t tend to buy big ticket items the rest of year it’s their only opportunity other than birthday to get anything.

I’m wondering how other get away with only spending £30 on a 6 year old though? Mines LOL stuff is £10.

DD is getting an echo dot for Christmas. They are reduced to £22 at the moment. So that's her present from us. Why would we spend more if we don't need to? I have got her some stocking fillers (£48) but don't intend to spend anything more really.

This is what I got

Dd6-
Nintendo DS with game
Crayola washimals
Crayola led tracing set
Lego set (small set)
Snow cone machine

Ds4-
Remote control digger
Lego set (medium set)
Lego baseboards
A big T. rex that roars (loves dinosaurs)
Construction Transformer
A small Monster truck

For the two of them to share
Crayola bumper art pack

Sounds fairly average to me? We only have 1 and she has summer bday. When she was younger and into toys and such she only used to get at her bday and Xmas so probably used to spend £3-400 on her for each. Now she is a teen and has every garden there is to ha r it’s actually really hard. This Xmas will be the cheapest one yet as she nor we can think of anything particularly to buy!

I have always been if the opinion but what you can afford and feel comfortable with.

why have you plucked a figure out of the air - another £80?

This

I am buying things that my children want and will get use out of.

Last year we probably spent £350 on a 2 year old because we made several large purchases of things that would last. This year he wants some bits and pieces that were either super cheap anyway or I’ve managed to get second hand and I’ve spent about £40 now on the 3 year old and that’s Christmas done. I’m fine with spending £10 or £1000 but I’m not going to spend a lot just for the hell of it.

I don’t understand setting a budget more than you’ve already spent and going out to buy extras just to bump it up. Get what you think they want/ need or will get enjoyment from. If you’ve spent below budget great, you don’t need to buy extra tat for the sake of it.

I am worried I am the only one who hasn’t started any Christmas shopping

I haven't either. I've never started it before December, that I can remember. It's worked out fine every year.

That should read gadget not garden

The key thing is, that you don't have to ask anyone else about what you spend. There is no right answer and you definitely don't need vindication from a bunch of strangers on the Internet. Have confidence in yourself - as a Mum, whatever you decide is absolutely fine and your DC will have a lovely Christmas.

The fact you're asking suggests you lack confidence and worry what others think. You can see from this thread that some will spend £25 (and some will certainly struggle to find £10) and some will spend £5k. Some are really keen to 'keep up with the JOneses' and see the amount of money spent as some kind of reflection on them or measure of their love for their children, and others honestly don't think about it like that or give a toss what others think.

Personally, I consider if my DC need a big ticket item at this particular point of the year. If they need a bike or a laptop then I will probably spend what is needed on that and they will get a couple of extra little bits. There will be presents from other family memebers too. If they don't need a big ticket item I will probably buy a couple of extra presents as well. I don't have a fixed budget and certainly don't think 'I must spend another £70' to reach a set amount. If there are some nice presents and a nice little pile (considering everything the family will give) and I have managed it for £50 I am pleased and have zero sense I need to spend more. It's particularly the case that small children have no idea of the price of stuff and you really don't need to spend lots for them to love what they have.

Whether we spend lots or little, it can be a great Christmas. I think it really helps to not talk about how much things cost in front of children, even if you are very aware of it and sensitive about spending yourself. Children hear you do it and they pick up the idea that more expensive is better and their value comes from how much people spend on them. It's not a nice characteristic in adults and certainly not in children, but even small ones will pick up those attitudes if we voice them. Teenagers are more aware of others and cost of items, but I have found that often the nicest teenagers are genuinely not that bothered about the cost of stuff and it's because of the way they were brought up when they were younger. Often they are from the most affluent families but they have never been told or shown their value is in how much is spent on them.

Spend what you like Op. Don't get into debt over Christmas - honestly, not worth it and your small children won't have a better Christmas for an extra £100 of presents but will suffer from a stressed parent next year who is financially struggling.

I have a 6 and 8 year old. I've spent around £700 on each of them.

I do it out of guilt. Their dad walked off years ago so it's just me, and my family is very small and don't really do Xmas gifts. So the only people who buy them things are me and my parents. I don't buy them much during the year; they get pocket money for that so they learn about budget etc. So it's just birthday and Xmas. I can afford it. I havn't bought any plastic tat or junk. It's all stuff they will use for good long time. I don't feel guilty. You should absolutely spend what you are happy with and not worry about what others say.

The 5-yr-old is getting a secondhand scooter from eBay, and some dressing up clothes - about £60 in total. The 1-year-old is getting a £12 bubble machine and some books. Plus about £20 each on stockings. We can afford more but can't see the point, and would rather buy secondhand than contribute to new stuff in the world. OP your kids won't know or care how much you've spent.

Mine write a list and may get one thing from it or two depending on price, we have a 50 limit per child, then we will get something between them like a game for them to share. They know we're not made of money and the smallest one is uber grateful for anything he receives anytime.

Circa £70 each here, age 3 and 5. We can afford more, but don't feel the need to spend more, that's plenty and they'll be more than happy.

DH saying we should have spent less but I'm in change of it all so I decide