Budget for a 3 year old

[Enoughtodriveyouinsane]

For Christmas?

I’m starting to save back a little each week, what would you spend on your kids, especially at this age? On my list it’s mainly the books that add the extra cost as I do like to get her lots of books.
Is 300 a crazy amount?

If you're having to scrimp and save the £300 then it is a lot of money, if it won't barely make a dent in your savings - then no it's fine. FWIW - we didn't spend that much on either of our DDs at that age and we have a reasonable disposable income. Probably closer to £100-150.

I think thats far too much for a three year old. Especially if they are getting presents from your wider family.

I don’t set a budget so each year differs. They get a main present, another biggish present, some books, some clothes, and a stocking (for a three year old some sweets, chocolates, dvd, teddy, little figures etc..)
Main present and biggish present might be an easel and then a craft box or a bike and a Lego set or an Xbox and Lego.
It really depends. Each year is different and I don’t spend equal amounts.
My 2 year old is getting a scooter (£70) , some books (£30) a wooden picnic set (£30), a dress (£30?) and a stocking (£15) so that’s £175

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

For example... A new Isla bike Cnoc for a 3yo... £399.99 Argos brand bike for a 3yo... £65.

Both bikes. One costs five times as much. Neither excessive gift giving...

The Argos bike wouldn't be played with for long as it is too heavy.

If you take about a third of the cost of the Isla bike and look on eBay you can get a second hand bike that is light. Or for about half the cost if you choose other manufacturers/retailers e.g. Wiggle, Halfords you can a light bike that is new.

(Sorry I have 3 year old and did research to get her a light balance bike and then a pedal bike. )

£300 is loads- I don’t scrimp and consider myself lucky
Stocking for my 4 year old prob totals £30
Presents for my 4 year old prob max £60-£80

I think at that age go by number of gifts rather than budget (unless you are struggling financially, which I'm guessing you're not).

I'm getting my DS (2) a kitchen and maybe 10 things to unwrap (mixture of toys, books and practical). No idea what it will all come to but at a guess I'd say £150ish.

I'm not sure what I end up spending, but at least half of what I get will be pre-loved. The kids don't notice / mind when it's books / jigsaws / games. It means I feel like I have spoilt them and they have a sack full of gifts (like I remember seeing as a kid). I feel less guilt though as we are borrowing these things for a short while before passing on. Last year my daughter was obsessed with Paw Patrol (aged 3) this year it's something else. I am so relieved I picked up 2nd hand stuff from ebay / facebook / charity shops. There are some really great preloved groups on facebook.

@RedMarauder my point was more that similar items can cost vastly different amounts. Be it a bike from Free cycle or a luxury brand, the value to the child is the same.

(And I agree with you that second hand premium bikes are probably the best value!)

We don’t buy books for Christmas as buy then as needed as I see then as essentials but its easy to spend that much as a decent big present and a few branded items would easily amount to that.
Some spend a lot, others do the four thing of needs and some do little or just a stocking. Every one is different.

I have a 3 year old and have set aside already £250-£300. I think it's easily done, bike, helmet, lots of toys, pjs, nice treats. If you can afford it without really noticing the money gone then do it. If you have to really save for it then no I would spend a bit less if I was you. Enjoy it though, they're only this little once 😁

Totally depends what you are buying. A play house, then possibly it’s low. £300 of Amazon deals and the child will drown in it.

As other depends what your buying.
I have a 3 year old who has a birthday in Nov so I end up buying toys and splitting between the two, so I go off number of gifts as opposed to money spent.
I've spent about £250/270 for both birthday and Xmas.
There's no right or wrong op, do what you want to and enjoy it. 3 is an exciting age for Christmas.

I find you can easily spend £50 on a stocking, so £300 doesn't seem to excessive if you buy one expensive gift and then a few smaller bits. I'd probably spend that on my 2 year old.

My budget is around £75 this Christmas, as I’m getting him a bike. Normally it’s £50. I’m not very well off but have enough to be able to spend more, I just don’t want to set a dangerous precedent.

Are you very wealthy? To me £300 is a lot to spend on anyone of any age. Are you using it to get practical furniture type things or all toys? My DD will be 3 this Christmas and our planned budget is £50...

We're getting just turned 3 DS an electric ride on car, think it's about £200. But that's his only present and then he'll have a stocking. He does get overwhelmed too and family buy loads. We can obviously afford that too, we wouldn't put ourselves in debt when he still doesn't really understand what's going on (or even when he does tbf).

Perfectly reasonable if you’re not getting into debt to do so.

It all just adds up so quickly! 🤷🏻‍♀️I honestly don’t think I could do it for £50, I think I need to half the amount of books (I tend to buy a big bulk for her birthday in summer and then at Xmas)
We live abroad so all presents are from us

If you can afford it then why not 🤷🏼‍♀️
We got a bit carried away last Christmas when my daughter was nearly 2. But because we got her so much last year and a lot of big things were struggling this year so I suspect it will be a cheap year. I try to plan what I think will be used/grown into over 12 months than a budget as such. I won't buy gifts for the sake of giving something or cheap tat to bulk it up.
My DC are incredibly lucky to have a lot of family who want to buy for them too so that eases my budget!

I couldn't do it for £50 either.
If you can afford it, do it.

I think it's a lot but understand the book thing. My children wouldn't tolerate unwrapping 10+ books though so we buy them all year round!

I would personally buy books second hand if you can, for 10% of the price usually. We just gave away tens if not hundreds of books suitable for 3yo and we can't be the only ones. Put a call out on Facebook groups etc asking if anyone is looking to sell any?

At that age we got most toys etc second hand and would typically spend 60-80.

£300 is a lot. I'd only spend that much if there was something specific I wanted to get.

Yes. Or do you mean all Christmas ancillary things (food, Santa visit before, stocking etc.)?