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??

YABU for stressing about spending the “right” amount

Spend what you can afford on stuff DC really want or will love.

Whatever you spend will always be people who think what you spend is grossly excessive, and others who think you’re a total cheapskate. But they don’t matter! They’re not running your household budget.

It's a ridiculous question.

People on here come from all sorts of financial backgrounds (though yes, I suspect skewed towards the middle class/affluent). So there is no right amount.
And yes, sorry, but I think it's insensitive and tone deaf of OP and others on here to start talking about spending multiple hundreds of pounds per child as if it's the done thing.

So people can’t post how much they are spending in case it makes other people feel bad? We can’t have any sort of discussion in case we offend someone? Spend what you can afford, whether that be £50 or £500 and don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed about it.

Of course it’s enough, Just ensure some gifts are they ones on their wish lists.

Bet you wish you hadn't started this OP . Fwiw what you have spent seems absolutely fine, some lovely gifts there.

People always jump on these threads to tell us how their child gets one gift and a satsuma

Oh god yes. The Christmas thread is full of the bastards. They like to jump in with faux horror and indignation 'Wow, that is an absolutely obscene amount of presents' when actually what is described is very normal. This is usually followed by them spouting the annoying little adage of something they want, something they need, something to wear something to read, along with them proudly stating that they only spend £30 per child at Xmas. Then comes the grand finale, them sneerily stating that the poorest people spend the most at Xmas, thus immediately elevating themselves into the upper middle class because being a tight bastard at Christmas is very very very posh doncha know

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry reading this thread. I’m shocked at how much some people spend. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to afford what some are saying. It seems so wasteful. I’m dreading my kids starting school and comparing what they got with their friends

What do people who spend £50 buy ?

I have a 4 and 1 yo. 4 yo presents:-

Doll house (£30 Facebook Market place)
Disney Princess doll (£6 sale)
2 x books (£1 each NCT sale)

Stocking

Fluffy socks (£1.50)
'Frozen' chocolates (£2)
3 x bath bombs (£1 - poundshop)

One year old has a shape sorter and a book. Stocking is a flashing ball and a new pushchair toy shop about £20 altogether.

My dcs will each receive around 10 presents from family so I just don't see the point in buying them anything else (if family bought less then I'd almost certainly buy a few more bits albeit unlikely to be 10 things). I'm also not down with buying things they 'need' like vests,socks etc as they're just presents for the sake of presents to me. If my dcs need clothes/Toothbrush then I just buy them when needed. Xmas presents for me are things they want/bring joy.

No doubt in the future my dcs will want more expensive items and more items altogether so I'd rather save my money for the time being whilst they're little.

Filthy amount of money
and why flaunt it on here?
god's sake.
it is the thought, not the actual sum

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.

Too much, unless on specific items eg a bike, £150 a kid is loads at that age

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

Oh my goodness. I feel for those who have nowhere near the large amounts mentioned. Do you have any sensitivity or awareness op?

My kids are quite spoiled generally but I don't get them loads and loads at Christmas. I will probably spend £150 max each (2 and 4)

Oh god yes. The Christmas thread is full of the bastards. They like to jump in with faux horror and indignation 'Wow, that is an absolutely obscene amount of presents

Don’t forget: also killing the dolphins and the planet 🌎

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

Told you

You didn’t mention euros in op so we’ve all assumed pounds.Not sure what exchange rate is.

Filthy 😂

£30 isn’t even a pair of shoes. It’s not ridiculous to spend more than that on a bunch of Christmas presents.

I hope I dont get bashed here but I have always went above and beyond for Christmas. I spend thousands each year, have 4 kids. All adults now. Have 1 GC and one on the way. I told my kids I'm scaling back this year.
They actually fussed a bit and are grown 😁
I have spent 700 on my grandson and he is almost 4.
You are wise OP. 400 is plenty.
Dont go overboard like I did or the pressure will be on every Christmas.
It will get to where you dont even enjoy the holiday because of stress.
I had to stop myself spending even more on my grandson. I'm actually proud I did.
Merry Christmas!

Why not buy a book for £1 in a charity shop and save the other £9 for something else, give it to charity, or add it to your child's savings account. Or even buy them ten £1 books... I am not saying everything has to be second hand , maybe this example doesn't work if the recipient has a specific, recently published book they desperately want, but that's just one example of avoiding excessive consumerism.

Also I hate the idea of having a target amount that you have to reach, a maximum budget makes sense but not a minimum, I also don't think it's necessary to spend the same amount on each child, it could vary depending on what they need/are ready for that year. e.g. I could easily spend £200 on one of my kids buying him a new bike and close to £0 on the other child by gifting him things I've received for free second-hand. Literally we got given a massive amount of second-hand Lego for free this year and I have been saving it for Christmas. Receiving new toys is a treat regardless of cost, the kids don't care how much it cost us, and nor should they.

No op you obviously dont think it is filthy

I guess maybe OP wants to spend that £12,000 she’s saved on private schooling this year differently to you keepyk

in fact you want to spend more, not just anything in particularly just more money
very odd attitude

@keepyk...I can’t see how any of your information is relevant but if that is of interest to you then...
We are a higher than average earners (dh is HRT) and we are mortgage free. Though not privately educated as there is no private school in our area.

What is the purpose of your OP?

Are you looking for a pat on the back? Surely you’re not expecting anyone to say “that’s not enough - spend more!”.

So what’s the aim?

I think posts like this are insensitive. Many people don't have this much to spend and could end up feeling inadequate as a result.

You don't need a bunch of strangers to validate how much or little you spend.