Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How much do you spend on holiday shopping?

108 replies

An034 · 29/03/2022 19:23

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 posts:
WhatATimeToBeAlive · 30/03/2022 16:27

Not much. Summer clothes don't get worn much in the UK so last forever! I sometimes buy a new bikini/cossie or a dress but not always. The bloody toiletries cost the most - buying a new one "just in case" it runs out!

DockOTheBay · 30/03/2022 16:34

If you feel so bad about it just return some of it, presumably it hasn't been worn yet.

But surely you will need clothes for the summer here anyway, its not just holiday clothes. And £300 seems pretty cheap for clothes and accessories for a whole family.

iCouldSleepForAYear · 30/03/2022 17:18

If we go on holiday where we know we can do laundry (like visiting family overseas), we spend a little bit less before going there because we can pack lighter. But yes, the kids usually need new things. DH usually wants a few new items of clothing or shoes, to feel nice in an unfamiliar place. DSD is the same. I'm a bit more casual, but sometimes I've gained weight and don't fit into my shorts anymore (😭). Sometimes I've destroyed my sandals over a previous summer.

Places without washing facilities, like a week abroad in a hotel, we'd spend way more before going. Because we'd want 1-2 changes of clothes per day (my kids are too rowdy to do capsule wardrobes), plus a rotation of two swimmers (one to wear and one to hang dry). Decent sunblock, that we can all agree to actually use, is surprisingly expensive once you get enough for a family of five.

Camping somewhere, even with laundry facilities, still has a cost because someone's outgrown their waterproofs or hiking boots. And even the Mountain Warehouse clearance bargains add up.

Tent camping surprisingly expensive, I've found: booking the pitch was cheap, but then we wanted gear to be reasonably comfortable (got down to 3C overnight in July in Scotland the last time we went... I'm not ever going again without onesies, slipper socks and Heattech layers for all... and maybe one of those underfloor heating tent mats).

The waterproof gear and hiking kit we bought for one holiday was reused repeatedly over our autumn and winter hikes, and we bought on the big side so it would last. The summer stuff we buy for warm weather holidays gets handed down to younger siblings or worn again during the seven days of summer our part of Scotland gets. Hats and sunglasses are handy on sunny days even when it isn't as warm. The new swimmers are worn at the local pool and to the beach here.

The sunscreen is probably the only purchase where I could say we've overspent, because I tend to go bananas when buying it. Oops.

iCouldSleepForAYear · 30/03/2022 17:25

The Scottish climate is so different compared with where we usually go on holiday (which is either New England or Florida). The summers are just a lot hotter and more humid. Some of my wardrobe does the job over there, but a lot of it really is too heavy and would overheat me.

Feel no guilt, OP. If you think you've overspent and should return some things, then of course you should. But it's nice to have appropriate gear and new things for an adventure. Smile

shinynewapple22 · 30/03/2022 19:18

£300 sounds very reasonable to me and when you buy stuff early in the year you have it for the rest of the Summer. At least shopping in budget shops you know you have got value for your money.
You could save money on the wax by shaving or using veet but it wouldn't last so long .

Where are you going nice?

shinynewapple22 · 30/03/2022 19:19

Ah sorry you said £500, yes that is quite a lot if you can't afford it . Maybe leave getting your nails done - just paint them yourself .

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 31/03/2022 09:38

I think maybe like a lot of us the OP means having to buy new summer clothes because existing ones have been outgrown and as she's going on holiday they're needed. My kids have clothes that might be on the small side, or a bit mishaped / tatty from repeated washing, but could be worn in the garden / a trip to the park for example. But I wouldn't take them on holiday.
My eldest has outgrown all the new shorts I bought him last summer, we had a staycation last year, but we were away the hottest week of the year. A few of his t-shirts still fit him, but he's needed a few more as we are going abroad this year in May. I can see already that he will need new long trousers for the autumn/ winter but I won't be buying these now til then. My youngest doesn't seem to grow as quickly at the minute. Apart from a few tatty / mishaped items, the majority of his summer clothes from last year still fit. I have however, bought him to a few new t-shirts Grin I think its all relative to what you can afford / need. I could have afforded to buy brand new for both DC, but I also dont buy all expensive / designers clothes. They have a mixture. And at the same time I didn't need to.

1stTimeMama · 31/03/2022 10:23

I don't think I've ever bought things specifically for a holiday.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page