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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how much you spend on your children for Christmas?

427 replies

chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:24

I imagine this has been done to death.

I am sick and tired of my mum telling me that I've spent too much on my 2 year old daughter, around £600. However, she's my only one and if she had siblings my budget would still be the same, just between them. I can afford it, so AIBU to spend this kind of money? Or am I being ridiculous?

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 14/12/2020 00:31

Well I do think that's a lot for a two year old but it's your money. I might spend that on my teenage son, last year he got a Northface jacket for £250 and some boots for example and my teenage daughter got an expensive camera. But this year it's more like £200 on each.
Anyway how does she know how much you spend? Just keep it to yourself in future.

thaegumathteth · 14/12/2020 00:34

Just don't tell your mum, I've never told mine!

Carouselfish · 14/12/2020 00:37

She's five. I spend no more than £120. I'm constantly trying not to get carried away or let others. There's no space left to store toys!

Enough4me · 14/12/2020 00:39

Your child, your choice.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:39

@Pipandmum I live with her (well temporarily during the pandemic as she's my support bubble so I just set up camp here 😂) so she's seen everything arrive! I don't think she knows exactly the amount I've frittered. Mum's presents are around £200 🤦‍♀️. I like to treat people at Christmas and on birthdays because generally speaking, I don't throughout the year. It wouldn't be a typical year, just this year I got her a pikler triangle and wooden peppa playhouse as her main presents and well, that was £200+ for those two alone! Add a few peppa play sets and other things it soon adds up!

@thaegumathteth just feel like she works it out 😂

OP posts:
BoJingle · 14/12/2020 00:41

I don't think you're being unreasonable, it's your money, your child, so not really any one else's business.

Out of interest, as I have a 2 yo DD. What have you got her?

I've spent about 150 on my DD. It will probably be nearer 180 when I'm finished. More than I would like because it feels like alot for a 2 year old, especially when she'll get another 200 odd in gifts from relatives. Some of what I've bought are things that she would need and be bought anyway; an outfit, pjs, winter hat and gloves, helmet etc.

Notcontent · 14/12/2020 00:41

It does sound like a lot for a 2 year old! At that age they just get overwhelmed by too much stuff. On the other hand, it’s very easy to spend that much on just one or two items for a teenager!

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:42

@Carouselfish I will be moving toys out to bring toys in! I don't usually spend this much, her Pikler Triangle was what shot it up!

OP posts:
Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:46

@BoJingle

Well, she's a peppa fan so I got her quite a few playsets including the supermarket, mobile medical centre, stage and Treehouse and then a few of the smaller ones. Some stocking fillers, peppa figures, books, bath toys, selection box and chocolate coins. Her Christmas Eve Box has the typical fillers but the dvd on it was £25 or something as I was fussy and wanted one that I couldn't get in the shops as I loved it as a child 😁. Her main presents though are a wooden peppa play house which isn't much shorter than her 😂 and a pikler triangle.

OP posts:
RoseMartha · 14/12/2020 00:47

It does seem a lot to me but if it is in your budget it is up to you how you spend it.

(My dc are teens and I spend abt £100 each. When they were toddlers abt £50 each).

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:49

@BoJingle the stuff from others will be staying at their houses as she goes often enough. I also got her some pj's etc, I just don't 'count' them, I wrap as they are peppa and I know she'll love them! I guess part of me feels guilty as she doesn't have a dad or his family around at all so I try and 'double up' so it covers her missing stuff too 😬

OP posts:
Mintjulia · 14/12/2020 00:50

It's your money, spend it how you wish.

Anyway it isn't the cost that counts. Last year DS wanted a vr headset which was very expensive but I had the money so I stretched to it. This year DS wants a free standing mic so he can do better voiceovers. It was less than £30. He will be just as thrilled and he will get just as much use.

lostandfound55 · 14/12/2020 00:50

Well if you can afford it then go for it.

However I also think that is a lot of money for a 2 year old.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:51

@RoseMartha can I ask how you did £50 each as toddlers? That wouldn't cover two presents, in some cases one. I would love to get my budget down that much!

OP posts:
BoJingle · 14/12/2020 00:51

Ah, I have a "poppa" fan too. I couldn't deal with that much peppa merch in my house though so she has one set 😂

The pikler triangle explains it. I can't say much, I bought DD a wobbel board last Xmas. Those sorts of toys soon increase the total!

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:52

@Mintjulia that's very true! Her favourite will absolutely be the pikler!

OP posts:
Whattheactual20201 · 14/12/2020 00:53

I spent a ridiculous amount in my kids Xmas 🤣 I won’t say on here as it will always cause an argument.
However it’s each to their own.
My children don’t get things during the year, they are polite, well mannered and do well at school so once a year they get treated. 🤷‍♀️

GlummyMcGlummerson · 14/12/2020 00:54

OP you will get such a wide range of responses in this thread - from "Gosh, only £600 OP? I've spent £3,000 on my zygote" and "£600!!!! You are raising a SPOILT child - my kids are 3, 6 and 9 and they get a satsuma and book each that we fished out a skip. And they love it!!"

Spend what you like - TBF £600 may only buy a handful of presents if you're going big - paw patrol toys seem to be offensively expensive!

BoJingle · 14/12/2020 00:54

Oh sorry @chubbycheeks26 I missed your second reply. I'm tight so I count them😂

See I would definitely spend more if there weren't so many relatives buying. I really try to keep it in check as otherwise we'd be drowning in toys.

I hope you and your DD have a lovely Christmas..

GlummyMcGlummerson · 14/12/2020 00:54

Oh and to answer your question I have 2 children, single mum, and I've spent about £450 between them

dhisreadingmypostsagain · 14/12/2020 00:55

My teens are about 800+ each, yep it's lots of money it's all on things they will love and use lots and I don't buy much at all during the year for them. Birthdays are pretty low key.

We've had a shocking year as have most people but I just got into a bolloks to this mood and went a bit crazy.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 00:55

@BoJingle I hate the bloody pig 😂. She just loves it so much and is so cute when she says their names and laughs at it 🥺

Yes exactly! I very nearly got her a wobble board as I've just found out about them! I had to stop though! The pikler definitely jumped the value by alot, I also got her some Grimms wooden cars which were FIFTY TWO pounds 😮

OP posts:
onetwothreeadventure · 14/12/2020 00:56

I spent a lot on my toddlers this year too. I think part of it is that we’ve been at home so much this year and I wanted things that would keep them off screens and active during the winter months. I don’t give them all their presents on Christmas morning though or they’d get overwhelmed!

caringcarer · 14/12/2020 00:56

I would not spend that much on any of my children and I could afford to. I prefer to spend money on tutors for them and a lot of 1-1 coaching in sport and music. Nobody's business but yours though.

Xmassprout · 14/12/2020 00:57

Spend what you like. Long as you can afford it what does it really matter what you spend?

It irritates me when people criticise those that spend a lot because they have a higher income. So what? If my income was higher, I would spend more too! Same as when people worry they haven't spent a lot. It really doesn't matter. You're children aren't going to be upset because you didn't spend a lot, and if they were upset, it would be a good life lesson to learn.

All the comparison stuff is bullshit.