How much do you spend on holiday shopping?

[An034]

Am I BU to feel sick at home much I’ve spent on holiday shopping? Iv’e spent the most on the kids - summer shoes, pool side shoes, swimming costumes, summer clothes, summer hats, sunglasses. They didn’t fit into their summer clothes do I’ve had to buy them stuff. I’ve had to buy swimming accessories such as swim rings.

I’ve had to buy myself some dresses too as I can’t fit into old summer clothes (put weight on recently). I feel really sick at how much I’ve spent. I’ve put some clothes to the side to return tomorrow. I shopped in primary, next , George and H and M

OP you do realise that if you’d bought stuff slowly, it would still cost the same amount of money…?? Albeit split over a longer time period, but the cost is the same!

I honestly don't know. I'd be scared to add it up lol. Although I do a lot of sale shopping!

On myself I don't usually buy that much maybe a few new things. Although my summer holiday wardrobe was looking tiered. I bought a load of new dresses and bikinis last yr in river island sale. Been on the hunt for new sandals since last yr but haven't found any I like. From recent shopping trips I've bought myself a couple of vests and a pair of denim shorts but all cheap from Primark.

For my kids I usually stock up at end of summer on any gd deals I see. Got stuff out of storage and I had more than I remembered which is gd! I had a few Joules dresses, Ted baker outfits and river island outfits for night and some Next sale stuff. I don't mind buying some Primark stuff for during the day if just over swimwear as it usually gets ruined or stained with ice lolly etc. I do need to get new sandals and will a few more nice evening outfits for them.

I do think some people go a little OTT going on holiday from the Uk.
X3 full Uv suits, inflatables, special pool shoes, special beach bag, etc etc.

We live somewhere that’s hot in summer and on the water. We don’t own any of that, and when everyone is out in summer 99% of others don’t either, then one ‘British’ family arrives with half the high street for some reason. That’s why it’s so ‘expensive’

Presumably most of this is stuff you’d have to buy anyway for summer. You’re just buying it earlier than usual because of the holiday. No big deal unless you’ve gone way OTT like the kids have 3 swimsuits each for a week or something.

I also don’t get a holiday clothes shop. Children do grow out of things but stuff like shorts are worn in the summer at home as well as on holiday just as swimming stuff is used at the local pool. I have a couple of sarongs, they are very much holiday stuff and I wouldn’t wear them round Tesco but I do wear them round the house when it’s very hot which isn’t often as in England.

The last holiday overseas incorporated a family wedding, they actually live in America it wasn’t a destination wedding. It was a big formal Chinese wedding and I was the only Aunt on my nieces side in attendance, I couldn’t let the side down, it was a three day affair with three outfits needed including a full formal evening gown. Now that clothes shopping cost a fortune.

@Duracellbunnywannabe why do your kids needs three swimsuits each?! Mine all have one that gets rinsed at the end of the day and then hung on the balcony ready for the next day.
Lots of this shopping sounds completely excessive.
I like to travel light with a cabin case each and no hold luggage so I wouldn’t be able to take half the stuff mentioned here anyway.

@3WildOnes if @Duracellbunnywannabe kids are like mine then they like to take off the damp swimsuit and hate putting it back on. I usually have two and alternate them.

@3WildOnes we all have two swimsuits, I hate putting a damp on again.

[quote 3WildOnes]@Duracellbunnywannabe why do your kids needs three swimsuits each?! Mine all have one that gets rinsed at the end of the day and then hung on the balcony ready for the next day.
Lots of this shopping sounds completely excessive.
I like to travel light with a cabin case each and no hold luggage so I wouldn’t be able to take half the stuff mentioned here anyway.[/quote]
Because they were UV suits rather than swimming costumes so they can wear them during the day to the park, walking to lunch so they can’t wear a wet one, it means less suncream which irritates their skin and less time covering small children in sun cream.

Mine have UV ones too but havent seemed to mind wearing them damp whilst they dry.

Op it does add up. I need new swimwear and few bits this year. I did laser as waxing got pricey. But I will be spending good bit too!

£50 for a wax? Jesus Christ love, how much did you have taken off!?

I'm all for a holiday wax but that sounds ridiculous.

I spent about £300 just on me. It depends if you can afford it rather than the amount of money.

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy it's not ridiculous at all, who wants to be shaving on holidays...I know I don't.

I used to think I was spending more money for a two week holiday than for ten months at home! You know what you can afford and the kids can wear their clothes all summer.

Sorry this is very snobby but I always think you can spot the people a mile off who have bought a whole new “holiday wardrobe” and it looks a bit try-hard. I can understand a few new bits if kids have outgrown stuff or you really don’t have anything suitable but i always cringe a bit when I see a family turn up in their “holiday outfits”. Harsh but true. Certain social media influencers are also pretty bad for this.

@soootiredddd this is not a new revelation though. When I was a kid in the early 90's my mum would lay all of the summer clothes on the spare bed...buy us all new summer clothes and pack those too. We always had new summer clothes. She would treat herself to a good few new pieces too.

@Okbye

The monthly/6 weekly 'full body wax' cost is exactly why I purchased a Philips Lumea! 😄👌

I was going to point out that for the price of a few waxes, you could buy a Lumea.

After few goes with mine, I didn't need to think about waxing/shaving any more.

I've got my colour coordinated capsule wardrobe down to a fine art for holidays so I spend nothing other than replacing worn out flip flops when necessary. I don't even bother bringing all my make up any more, it's too hot for a full face. I have fitted my 2 week wardrobe into a carry on luggage but I bring the bigger case because DS often ends up buying toys or gadgets so the extra space coming back is needed.

DP has also worn the same things every year so he's got even less to pack than I do.

And for DS I get a UV suit or two, 2 pairs of sandals/sliders, and maybe 5 sets T-shirts and shorts for evenings. And a hoodie for the plane. That's it really.

@3WildOnes

Mine have UV ones too but havent seemed to mind wearing them damp whilst they dry.

Same as that - The damp suit dries quickly in the heat but also keeps DS cool for a bit longer before it dries fully so he actually likes it because of that.

I dread to think what I will have spent by the time I’m done buying for our holiday!

DS15 is 6ft 2 with size 12 feet and needs a whole new holiday wardrobe as he’s grown so much since our last holiday abroad in 2019, I need all new shorts and swimwear as I’ve put so much weight on!

I just buy what we need, or want, the funds are there, but we are not big spenders, so a few bikinis, a few fresh t-shirts.

Job done.

For me nothing because I have "holiday clothes" that only get worn once or twice a year.
When DC were little I usually ended up replacing all their summer clothes as they were outgrown. Specifically for holiday just swimming trunks and sun lotion.
Most of what you bought wasn't just for holidays. The waxing - I have no idea why anyone would do that but people spend £50 on hairdresser so I guess it's similar.

Thanks for the reminder though, off to look at lilos.

Actually I might start a thread.