Page 12 | To ask how much you spend on your children for Christmas?

nanbread · 15/12/2020 00:52

We usually spend about £70-80 each, but I've just totted it up and this year it's probably more like three times that. About £230 each.

That amount feels insane to me!

I wasn't really watching what I was spending this year whereas usually I buy a lot second hand etc, but I felt like I wanted to spoil them a bit given it's been such a crap year in general. We've also bought clothes and stationery for the first time as part of their presents which has bumped it up.

We aren't doing any paid for Christmas activities or meals out so have made a bit of a saving on that, plus no school clubs or swimming lessons since Feb which has saved us a few hundred.

SoundWithoutAName · 15/12/2020 00:55

I have spent a little more on my 3dc. Though my youngest are 5 months and 20 months. Their presents were fairly inexpensive, I spent the most on DD who is 6 yo.

nanbread · 15/12/2020 01:04

Reading this thread I'm actually going to space mine out a bit as I think they might get overwhelmed.

They have two large gifts plus a book each from us, plus small bits which can mostly go in a stocking.

But I'm going to put new clothes straight into their drawers, and give them some small gifts in advance.

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 15/12/2020 08:04

@converseandjeans I'm not sure it's luck, it's just different choices. I come from a very working class background and lots of my school friends chose to have children young and to have 2 or 3, most do work or have partners that support the family but money can be tight. I chose to wait until my mid thirties once I was established in a career and so was DH and we made the choice to only have one child. All of these things were conscious, so I don't think it's lucky other than we haven't been affected by any major disasters, eg a friend whose husband suffered an industrial accident at work etc.

Lovemusic33 · 15/12/2020 08:14

@nanbread

Reading this thread I'm actually going to space mine out a bit as I think they might get overwhelmed.

They have two large gifts plus a book each from us, plus small bits which can mostly go in a stocking.

But I'm going to put new clothes straight into their drawers, and give them some small gifts in advance.

We space things out, though my dc are older now so piles are much smaller, we have stockings when we wake up and then tree presents after breakfast, save a few from family for after lunch. Wrapping clothes for small children is a waste of time unless it’s something they asked for like dressing up clothes or a pretty dress. I would rather they have one amazing item that gets a reaction (wow item) rather than them opening 30 presents and getting no reaction because they are fed up or overwhelmed by opening so many.

Just wanted to add that every one does Christmas differently, there’s no right or wrong way, wether it’s 3 presents or 30 presents. I hate how people are made to feel guilty because they haven’t s bought much or because they have bought loads, Christmas is meant to be enjoyed, there should be no guilt. I hate how people have to keep stating how some people can’t afford presents, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t buy my dc 20 presents, if I have worked hard and saved all year why shouldn’t I spend £300 on each of my dc? If I can only afford £50 per child then why should I feel guilty that my child has less than 10 gifts to open?

I have great memories of Christmas as a child, hardly any of them involve presents, most involve being around family, sitting at the table and being allowed a glass of wine, grandad falling asleep with his cracker hat on and playing board games with my brother.

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 15/12/2020 09:57

As others have said everyone does things differently. I have never spent that amount of money on a child at Christmas but equally I would never wrap-up or count pyjamas, bedding or any clothing other than dressing up stuff so it's impossible to share like with like.

OnlytheStrawberrySweets · 15/12/2020 10:00

6 year old around £150 but £50 of that is from my elderly grandfather who can't get to the shops anymore so he sends me the money for her and I wrap some gifts up and say they're from him.

ArosAdraDrosDolig · 15/12/2020 10:04

@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!

I used to budget £50 plus a stocking. I only got them one present though and a stocking. That is still what I do. I have tended to spend more as they get older though. Now have teens. One year ds got an Xbox.

When he was 3 he got a box of craft stuff and was thrilled.

Yanbu if you can afford it, you’re not getting into debt and if you’re not going without other things. It’s not necessary and I wouldn’t choose to do it but it’s up to you what you spend your money on.

Are you paying your mum rent? If not then she does have good reason to be cross!

HitthatroadJack · 15/12/2020 10:12

She'll have more fun with the boxes than the toys.

I never understand why people pretend it's a universal truth.

It was never true for any of my kids, even from 1-2 they were playing with whatever toy they got. I have a video of my eldest at 18 months playing with his toy cars on Christmas Day.

The only one who played with wrapping and boxes is the cat.

Isadora2007 · 15/12/2020 10:28

I’ve changed my mind as my grandson has a triclimb too and loves it and is getting an add on bridge thing (the archi) which was £320 but that’s been split between grandparents and grand auntie at £100 each. So now you’ve said about the other half of the family “missing” so I kind of get it now... so yanbu to spend that on your child. Enjoy Christmas!

AntsInPenzance · 15/12/2020 10:39

Your money, but £600 on a two-year old is crazy and not really environmentally friendly. That's a lot of plastic to throw away, just to replace it with more plastic.

AntsInPenzance · 15/12/2020 10:57

[quote chubbycheeks26]@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![/quote]
You could start by not buying a load of small wooden cars that retail at £10 each for a 2 year old.

You can buy wooden cars new for around £2 each or charity shops will have wooden cars for 50p-£1 each. A 2 year old doesn't know or care what brand they are or if they're new.

Original poster

chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 11:23

@AntsInPenzance Grimm's are a quality brand and second hand isn't for me.

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Original poster

chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 11:24

@AntsInPenzance I haven't bought a lot of plastic, a lot of it is wooden and books.

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RoseMartha · 15/12/2020 12:21

As an example.

At two my kids got something like
A train set or play set for about £25
Extra trains /dolls £10

Then in a stocking

Puzzle
A book
Sweets

Total about £50 per person

As other posters say it does depend on your budget but also your priorities.

I havent got a lot, but any extra that I could have spent on my dc, I would prefer to put towards a short holiday in the uk for all of us. (Not that we had one this year, for obvious reasons and I had to move home, but we did manage a few special days out).

onedream · 15/12/2020 12:47

Two kids here, 4 year old and nearly 2 year old..4 year old dreams about Lego police station set for months, we bought that for £70 for him for Xmas plus few little bits and bobs so all together we spend on him around £100..
For the 2year old I planned to buy strider bike which is around £110 new, I have found one second hand in perfect condition nearby for £25, I will be crazy to order the new one so we have picked that one for him for £25 and few other bits and bobs so all together with the bike it comes to probably around £70 for the 2 year old.

I'd say it's your money so you can spend it how you like.. it's easy to spend a lot, or to stay in budget if you set one..

user89 · 15/12/2020 13:50

@chubbycheeks26

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?

Bloody hell that is a lot of money on a 2 year old who won't appreciate or remember it. I'm with your mum

Haenow · 15/12/2020 14:20

[quote chubbycheeks26]@AntsInPenzance Grimm's are a quality brand and second hand isn't for me.[/quote]
I was totally with you, until you said this. I am very fortunate to afford new but sometimes, second hand is fantastic quality and it’s a good way to be less wasteful.

An0n0n0n · 15/12/2020 14:27

I've spent under £50 on my toddler. It's all second hand. She's got a train set which cost £25, some orchard games, puzzles, books, clothes, hot chocolate and pjs for Xmas eve.

We could afford to spend a lot more but we know she will love those things so why not get second hand x

thecatsthecats · 15/12/2020 14:39

Your money, you spend it as you please.

But it is about your enjoyment of giving, not your toddler's enjoyment in receiving.

Children that age enjoy imaginary play, role play, and benefit from continuous provision (the opportunity to revisit and repeat play with familiar items), and enhanced provision (providing new toys/stimuli to their environment). She can't play with more than one toy at once, so apart from the momentary excitement of seeing it all piled up and opening, all you've done is compress her enjoyment, not increased it.

I get it. You get satisfaction out of providing a big old dump of toys on the day children traditionally receive a big old dump of toys. You can afford to do so.

But for my money I'd be playing it different.

TeenyTinyDustinHoffman · 15/12/2020 15:59

Your money, I suppose.
Still, as PP have said, she's not going to remember it and, if she's like most 2 year olds, she might prefer the box! Definitely worth considering second hand stuff.

Original poster

chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 16:19

@ArosAdraDrosDolig I absolutely pay her rent! I have family living with family members paying a measly sum and swanning off on long haul holidays, it's an insult!

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Original poster

chubbycheeks26 · 15/12/2020 16:21

@Haenow I get secondhand stuff at other times but I just can't bring myself to do it for gifts. Perhaps I should.

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00100001 · 15/12/2020 16:23

[quote chubbycheeks26]@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![/quote]
Well, it easy, you just buy two presents for them...

00100001 · 15/12/2020 16:24

But at the end of the day, it's irrelevant how much you or others spend.

Some people spend £10, some spend £1000s. Depends on budget and attitude.

As long as you don't put yourself in debt, it makes not a jot of difference