To lower how much money I spend on my kids at Christmas this year?

[Jaaxe]

Will they notice if they don’t get as many presents this year? How much does everyone spend on their children at christmas? I always overspend and end up getting them things I wish I hadn’t or didn’t need so I want to set a limit and only get them a few really nice presents but they don’t understand money and I don’t want them to think Santa thought they wernt as good this year because they didn’t get as much as last year…they will be 9, 5 and 3 at Christmas time, they are each getting a bike as their main present as they all need a new one (that will be at least £100-150 each, slightly more for the 9 year old slightly less for the 3 year old) so majority of the budget will be going on those but working out what is a reasonable amount to budget to spend on other presents etc.

They probably will notice, especially the older one, but that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't economise

I’m doing the same. Mine are older though so will understand but they won’t get a lot as everything they already want is expensive. No idea what they want at this stage either.

Nobody can tell you what to budget and what other people spend is an irrelevance as it depends on your personal circumstances .

I'm massively cutting back this year. Not just for financial reasons but I'm also sick of the shit in our house that they don't play with. I'm going to find it hard because I do like them to have big magical Christmases but I think I can still achieve that with fewer gifts.

Santa only brings one gift here, plus a calendar, pens, chocolates and nuts.
Both need some new clothes and I'm thinking of keeping them back and giving them at Christmas if I can get away with it (depends how much they grow!) whereas I would normally replace as and when. They will definitely be getting less this year, I can't change that. A couple of their gifts will be joint e.g. books and a board game.

We are doing the same. The last couple of years, especially 2020 we spent lots more than we would have normally because they had missed out on so much. There will be less this year, I will arrange it so it is a bit more spread out! They are 7&5 and we do a present and stocking from father chrsitmas and they know the rest is us so we will gently remind them every now and then that they might get slighter fewer presents. I can't afford to spend the same amount again.

Can you get second hand bikes? There are so many near me that are sold in marketplace that look in excellent condition. Just a thought ..

Thanks all, I feel my 9 year old will notice the difference….she was a bit miffed when our youngest was only 2 weeks old and only got a couple of presents off Santa (managed to get away with it with her only being a newborn by saying she doesn’t play with toys yet) but I really don’t want to buy loads of rubbish tat just to look like they got loads….really want to do quality over quantity this year x

You can tell them there is a cost of living crisis and it is affecting everyone, including Father Christmas-although the nine year old at least will have worked out the truth about FC by now.

Yeah I think she has worked it out as she’s asked a few times if it’s really Santa or if it’s just us….but then she goes back to thinking If she doesn’t believe she won’t get anything haha

I explained to my DS in simple terms there won't be so much money to send to father Christmas this year! He pulled a face but he understood! We are going to plan in advance this year. I will buy less knick knack presents as they are only a few pounds here and there but add up and before we know it we could have bought a more useful and wanted £30 present.

I'll be making use of marketplace and vinted. My kids are 5 and 4, and I don't think would care the toys aren't boxed as long as they're nicely wrapped. They would probably prefer it if they're ready to play with straight away! I'm just going to try and create magic other ways too, make a gingerbread house, christmas light drive, make cookies for santa, hot chocolate christmas movie night.

I want them to feel that christmas magic glow and I don't think it's the presents that do that!

I don't think it's a bad thing to cut down for all of us for the environment etc

If it puts you under financial pressure then that's how it is.

No children but cutting back no in-laws to buy for now so money will be spent on food token present for stbx and I still want that to continue, but for those with children you can still have presents just cut back the amount if you still want a “pile” at their age it’s the pile of presents not what each costs. If older you’d explain more off course. Loads will be cutting back this year gas and electric hikes have seen to that.

@Tilda77 This is what I was thinking, I did tell our 9 year old that we send the money to Father Christmas last year as before she used to think Santa could get her whatever and however much she wanted and Santa would just bring it!

I’m trying to plan in advance more this year too, set myself a budget (though I haven’t worked that out yet) and the things I really want to get them, or they really want and try not to get loads of little things they don’t need just to bulk it out as I end up throwing the rubbish away in the end.

How much do you usually spend?
We get a main present, a smaller one from their sibling, a small one from Santa, and a few books (plus stocking). Often less than £100 each. Once they've got stuff from grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents etc there's loads (although we appreciate that not everyone has a big family, and only get presents from parents so may compensate for that).

Op, don’t do stockings and you can save quite a bit either toward the main present or save.

Op , I've never got mine new bike's, can you buy second hand bike's esp for younger two .

Children grow out of bikes fast when they are Younger and I've got some that look brand new for £30/ £40 from eBay/local Facebook site's etc.

Also again for the youngest, eBay, charity shops...car boot sales...

Freecycle even?

@Alohaoi my younger 2 wouldn’t notice if things are second hand or care either but my older one would definitely notice, not sure whether it would bother her or not

Spend what you can afford.

I have a 9 year old also and we spend more sone years than others depending on what he wants.

Some years he chooses inexpensive gifts but is just as happy.

I gave up buying him things he doesnt want and will never use just to try to spend more.

I cut down a couple of years ago after realising about 50% of the stuff they got sat unused and unopened in the playroom for the rest of the year. I donated it all to charity a few weeks back after finally getting around to having a clear out.

It's easier anyway now they're older but I just get them a couple of things they've asked for and a few surprises - it's about quality now not quantity!

Do your 9 and 5 year olds have bikes already?

How can they possibly all need new bikes - surely you can pass them down the ages? So 5yo can have 9ths for Xmas etc

They are young enough not to know that the other presents come from Poundland, Wilko or Tyger. Just get them each some sweets, craft supplies if they like them, whatever mini collectable is in fashion right now, bubbles, a bath bomb and a couple of things they need anyway like new socks, pants, hair grips, face flannel, duvet cover or PJs etc. You could also do a few family presents e.g. if you buy chocolates, wrap them up and have someone open them, same with a Christmas storybook or baubles for the tree.

I’ve never really budgeted it, I’ve always just kind of bought presents when I’ve seen them and thought they’d like it then nearer Xmas I look what I’ve bought for each and then added to each child accordingly so they all have a main present and similar amount of smaller ones.i have however found come Xmas day they’ve always got way too many and I’ve gone way over the top so that’s why I was asking how others budget/ how many presents and what their children make of this.

What I’ve found hardest since I’ve had the younger 2 is that you obviously spend more with having 3 and it gets expensive so I want to lower the amount of money spent but as my eldest was always used to getting tonnes (as she was the only child for a good few years) I’ve not wanted to disappoint or her wonder why she gets less now there is 3 of them and also not wanted to take away the magic of Christmas and seeing their faces when they see all the presents.