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?

You could spend 30$ and you would have made your kid the happiest in the world. Really.

Depends on your financial situation? We have a toddler, we haven't spent £300 on gifts in the course of his whole life, (we've plenty of toys and resources, crafty stuff but mostly second hand and some Poundland/supermarket) but that's because it just isn't possible for us. If that's your budget, I don't see why not.

It all depends if you can afford it, op.

So far I’ve spent £6 on my 2 year old for Christmas. I got a toy kitchen in clearance in tk max for £6. I bought a walking singing dog on a leash for about a fiver but the company sent the wrong one (sang a different song to the one in the website description). When I emailed them they fully refunded me but let me keep the dog anyway. So the dog was free!
I’ll probably buy about 4 books and some wooden toy food as well. I’m expecting to spend under £50 in total .

@whensmynexthol1day

That's a lot for a 3 year old. Particularly if you have family that will give gifts also. Kids get overwhelmed by the number of gifts in my experience and it stops being enjoyable unwrapping presents after 5 or 6 gifts. I think it's nice to keep a bit saved to buy them the odd thing during the year as and when they need it- their tastes change a lot during the year!

I was about to say exactly this. I'm limiting gifts to 6 this year based on the absolute joy of the first few being opened which then turned into her being overwhelmed and jaded.

It depends on what the money is to cover. Presents, stocking, days out. Christmas box. It can add up. It's better to over-budget if you can afford it. You don't have to spend it all.

As other have said, I think it’s a bit silly to spend that much on lots of things.

Your child will be overwhelmed and your house will become full of tat and clutter.

It would be different if you were spending £250 on a really good bike and £50 on a couple of other presents and a stocking. But that’s just my view!!

I use charity shops to get books for my 3 year old - they often look brand new.
Will probably spend £100 on mine

I have no problem about buying DD good condition secondhand books for Christmas, and nor does she. There's a big toy sale in our area in November, and I would pick up a jigsaw and some books most years. Nowadays I get a list of books/authors from her around now and go to the Oxfam bookshop to see what I can get. She's always had lots of books, but almost the only ones that have been new have been bought as presents by other people.

I’d spend that much on a big thing such as a bike or climbing frame but otherwise it seems like a lot.

DS will be 8 at Christmas. He’s getting a penknife and a magazine subscription as his presents. We’ll probably spend around £150 including his stocking.

We just buy one "big" present from us (e.g a bike, or a large lego set) & a stocking (chocolate money, pants & socks, a torch, an orange, a book, some craft bits).

But then we have family members - 4 aunts/uncles who will spend around £10-20 each and grandparents who will spend £50, so there's plenty under the tree.

However, I tend to buy books through the year and give them as things like star chart rewards or a couple before we go on holiday.

I spend about £300 for both bday and Xmas on 5 year old

Don't make a rod for your future back! What they come to expect...

If a few quality presents is what they become used to, then better for everyone than the photos of rooms where you can't move for wrapped gifts.

Better for you, for her, for the earth.

I say this as someone who did the opposite and is trying to dial it back without disappointment on 2 faces!

@Morgan12

£300 seems fine to me. I'll be spending that on my three year old too. His big thing is the Paw Patrol tower which is £80.

Wish I could say the same for my nine year old!

Same. That is exactly what my three year old wants, too. And no doubt i'll end up spending close to £300 by the time i get him another toy or two, some jammies, a xmas day outfit, some books, an advent calendar....

I will say though, we have no family, and only one of my friends will likely buy him a small something. I don't mind slightly over-indulging him one day a year.