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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:
thetaleunfolds · 14/12/2020 20:07

I planned to spend about £150 on my 2 yo but I've recently got everything out to wrap and it's gone way over. Probably closer to £300 which I think is ridiculous.

However, my plan was to spend £150 and then treat us both to a Christmas getaway. Last year we went to Disneyland, but obviously this year we aren't going anywhere. That's my excuse anyway...

I think £600 sounds like a lot, but it depends on what you've bought them. The Pikler for instance does take up a lot of the budget but isn't frivolous. And if you can afford it then why not

TikTokFinger · 14/12/2020 20:09

I don’t put a monetary limit. It depends on what she’s getting. Last year her main present was an Isla Bike so we spent around £500 in total (age 5). This year it’s probably more like £250/£300 in total.

Parkermumma07 · 14/12/2020 20:12

Between £50 - £100 on my 6 year old
£50 on my 3 year old

They get bought things through the year, I assume the spending will increase as they get older but for now I’ll enjoy them not costing too much to please

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 23:08

@Madwife123 my budget could and would stay the same unless of course a major change of circumstances take place. This is the last year I think I can get away with spoiling her without creating expectation, she's only 2 and has zero idea! If I dropped her £600 to £300 next year, she'd not notice!

OP posts:
Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 23:12

@thetaleunfolds I took my daughter to Paris last year, I mean that was more for me I just couldn't leave her behind Grin

The pikler definitely ate quite a bit of the budget but it was worth every penny!

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Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 23:13

@greeneyedlulu there are no boxes for to get into and play in!

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Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 14/12/2020 23:15

@LastChristmas20 oh 🥺

She's a credit to you!

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wellingtonsandwaffles · 14/12/2020 23:15

Just costed it up - £100 for 3yo DS all in - Santa and me and DH; we got several bits second hand but feel like it’s too much still! Especially when you think of all the stuff he’ll get from family. Personalised gifts were priciest but hopefully will be all the more loved. Just don’t want him to get overwhelmed with too many gifts!

PinGwyn · 14/12/2020 23:17

It seems like you're pretty happy with your choices OP and set in your thoughts about how much you want to spend so why are you asking others or letting your Mum dictate to you?

There was never going to be a right answer here as it's all subjective, however, it does seem as though you feel the need to justify your purchases and mention a pricey climbing frame over and over... Sounds like a thinly veiled stealth boast tbh. Strange.

Rose789 · 15/12/2020 00:05

£600 for a 2 year seems like an enormous amount to me. Surely it’ll all just be too overwhelming.
I’ve spent around £150 on dd1 and around £50 on dd2 as she will be much more exited about the boxes

converseandjeans · 15/12/2020 00:20

Used to spend about £50 at that age. I agree with the poster suggesting £300 in savings instead of on toys. £300 x 16 until she's grown up is £4800 which is good amount towards gap year, car, house deposit. You could still get loads with £300.

Maybe your Mum doesn't want a load of toys in her house? Do you pay her much rent?

dayslikethese1 · 15/12/2020 00:23

lastchristmas that's adorable that she asked for a gift for the cat Blush

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 15/12/2020 00:23

I would say YANBU spend what you can afford, but then you mentioned that bloody pig. DS has only ever seen it at the hairdresser's, my nephew was obsessed, those pigs are so rude! Also taking a toddler to Paris doesn't sound like much fun to me...
But if you're saving for you and saving for her and you're not getting into debt it is your call.

I'm not sure what we've spent on DS under £500 I think, but that's not including the father Christmas farm thing or the toddler post Christmas fireworks etc, so probably not much different all in, but we're financially comfortable, own our home, save well, put a reasonable amount a month in savings for DS so I don't worry about it too much.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:24

@PinGwyn I wanted other people's opinions, I have also stated following other people's opinions that I'm going to look at what she's got and possibly put some stuff back for next year as she will be probably be overwhelmed and that I will be more mindful in future and perhaps save the difference in other years. I wanted outside opinions, that is all. The climbing frame wasn't really THAT pricey, was just trying to point out that I haven't bought 57963 presents and not a load of tat.

OP posts:
KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 15/12/2020 00:25

@converseandjeans but what if you already save for your child, we save a lot more than that a year specifically for DS, Christmas doesn't need to be about that

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:27

@KarlKennedysDurianFruit Paris was good but difficult with a non walking toddler 😂

I don't worry about the money as such, just mum saying I'd gone over the top made me wander and I wanted to know what others spent. Money spent also included our day out at the farm, Father Christmas etc, I'm not skint so I'm happy to spend it. Just curious 😊

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Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:28

@KarlKennedysDurianFruit oh and absolutely agree Peppa and Suzy are rude little sods.

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converseandjeans · 15/12/2020 00:30

karlkennedys then you're very lucky to be able to do both. It would bankrupt us!

It's up to OP but it just seems like lots of 'stuff' and I don't think a 2yo will appreciate it!?

BingoGo · 15/12/2020 00:32

The present for our 15 month old twins was about £400. It's a combined present though, so my sibling and partner's siblings are also paying for some of it. For Christmas they will have that one present along with one from their nan.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:35

@converseandjeans I do save for her, every month, all year.

If you read the full thread (or just my posts) both of those questions are answered, I pay more than the £100 a week she asked for, I pay her £600 pm, plus entertainment packages just not Sky as I don't use it, we also alternate the food shops and both pick up bits as and when/treats for each other. It's not about money it was the pandemic and as I was staying here it felt a waste of money renting my flat. Space wise? There are few toys in her living room that go away in a cupboard and the rest go in our rooms. The house is not 'overrun' by toys and mum would have a pop about it regardless of whether I lived here or not, as she has before.

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Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:37

@converseandjeans I mean I haven't exactly listed what I've bought her? It probably is a lot but I don't buy throughout the year and it's all she get till her birthday in September.

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Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:38

I don't understand how people do it for £50!?

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PinGwyn · 15/12/2020 00:41

They buy less.
They buy second hand.
They prioritise differently whether through necessity or choice.

You spend what you can whether it's £50 or £5k.

Original poster
chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 00:42

@PinGwyn fair enough, I just can't picture it!

OP posts:
PinGwyn · 15/12/2020 00:44

Neither way is wrong either.

Plenty of children haven't got much in the way of material possessions but are spoilt with love just as there are children who have every you they could ever want but are emotionally neglected.

It means nothing really.