It makes a difference to know what he spent it on.
See, I don't think it does, which is why I didn't say. And I know what this place is like! If you give too much detail, people will pick it apart, miss any nuance and disagree with how you see it - see dissection of the word "delighted" and certain people's determination to twist what I said and my intentions, for example!
But, for the curious, here it is.
DS spent £60 on starter kits for his main hobby obsession, but not for himself, for his friends. It's a nerdy game (not on computer, and "nerd" is a compliment in this household before you jump on me for that!) And the £10ish on food and drink.
And I know why he did it because I know him. It's not because he's trying to buy friends or feels pressured to. It's because he's bloody obsessed with this game, couldn't resist spending his money on it and wants his friends to be into it too.
So, if they do get into it, it will be money well spent as it goes, as he'd be delighted if he has some friends locally to play this game with. If they don't, well then it was a waste of money. But this will play out over a long term, he won't know for a while if they get into it or if the kits go to waste.
But the point is, when he got home, he was sad that his money was gone and wanted me to replace it. So it's irrelevant whether it ends up good in the end (and I hope it does) - what matters is that he felt regret and came to me asking me to fix it, by reimbursing him.
And I said no. And he's unhappy he has no Christmas money left.
Also, to those asking why I didn't supervise him more closely - he got a wallet for Christmas and he put his Christmas money in it.
I noticed last week he put it in his pocket before school, and asked him how much was in it. He said all his Christmas money, and he'd been doing that every day! I asked him to think about how much money he actually needs for school and sent him upstairs to put the rest of it in a safe place. (Which ended up being dumped on his desk, need to work on that!).
I had to explain to him that we don't walk around with all our money, it was a new concept to him. He's a very bright child but on the spectrum so he sometimes does need help thinking stuff through.
Anyway, last weekend, he went to his friends' house for a sleep over, and his other mate too. They went into town from there, so I didn't see him before he left, so no chance to check if he had the money he needed or whatever.
That he had that money on him, means he must have put it back in his wallet and taken it with him. I had no idea! And I don't check my DC's pockets before leaving the house, do you? Obviously I'll be wise to this now.