To ask how much you spend on DC at Christmas?

[Iggleshmiggle]

My DC are 5 and 2 and, my DD has a huge list which adds up to about £400, just wondering how much you spent, although I’m guessing it varies depending on what they want.

£300-400 but these threads always turn into a competition of who can spend the least.

Well it varies most on your income and what you can afford - so no one's figures will make any difference. These threads are pointless, someone will say £1000 and get flamed for spending too much. Someone will feel shit because they can't afford anywhere near.
It would be much better if these were banned tbh.

We’re fairly comfortable financially but spend circa £150 per child since they were about 8 until now 16 & 14. If they want anything more expensive then they save up to contribute.

We have spent just over £200.

Agreed. It's just another way of making people feel bad about themselves. OP: spend whatever you want, but remember it really is the thought that counts. We used to spend very little when they were younger, as we thought it taught that exact lesson. Now they're older, they get a bit more. But that is just us.

Yes, I wasn’t posting this to make people feel bad, I feel like my daughter is asking for a bit too much but obviously she thinks Santa brings it.

Around £200 for older child (includes one big £100 present)
£30 for younger child and will get older sibling’s baby toys wrapped and of course have presents from grandparents

we are comfortable and could spend more but don’t see the point. They will both have plenty. Older child will also get a new bedroom in January with new furniture etc

Probably that sort of money for both of them.

About 400-500 per child I’d say

I don't have a budget as such.. this year my son has asked for mainly Pokémon figures, I've spent about £100 on him in total. My daughter has asked for an iPad, so I've spent £300 on her. They'll get a stocking from Santa around £30 and numerous gifts from family. I'm not going to force myself to spend an extra £200+ on unwanted stuff for my son for the sake of it.
There will come a time when my son wants a new console for example and my daughter wants something less expensive. It all evens out.. I don't want to spend for the sake of spending and my children understand this.

They've both got what they have asked for and they'll both be ecstatic Christmas morning!

Personally I would never get the full list, there is also something to be said about not having everything you want. I don’t encourage list writing and DC1 (8) doesn’t have one.

Budget depends on...

• how many kids you have
• your disposable income
• who else buys for your kids
• their age
• what they want

Theres no right answer. Its not worth getting into debt over.

You know, you don’t have to get everything on their list? Especially when they’re so little they’ll be thrilled with just a few things. Save your money for when they’re older and only want a laptop or Oculus or some other ££££

Just over £100. He's 14 months.

We have a 1 year old and almost 3 year old and currently spend 100 each for birthdays and Christmas. They both have winter birthdays so get a lot of stuff within a few weeks and youngest obviously already has use of the eldest old toys.

we could afford more but I think when so young it’s too much and they get other things from grandparents etc. i also hate environmental and financial waste! This year I’ve bought all their stuff on Vinted. They’ve got more for the budget and I don’t feel as bad as it’s second hand. 3 year old got a 150 doll house for 40 quid for example…

Hard when your eldest knows about Santa etc though. Maybe say Santa can only bring x number presents per child which ones do you really want the most and the others can ask for birthday?! I’m not experienced with older children yet though!

I don't think it matters how much is spent if you can afford it. I don't think kids should get everything on their list though.

When they were younger about £200 each but now they are late teens much more

There's a Christmas topic btw.

Your problem is saying everything comes from Santa. Here, Father Christmas brings one small gift and a stocking.

At the age of 5 and 2 you can get away with spending less! I’d spend more on the 5 Yr old purely because their toys cost more.

The best gifts you can give a child are board games and actually play with them. They don’t need to cost anything - games like “Give us a Clue” (write the film whatever on a piece of paper, fold up and put in empty box, take one out and there you go). You don’t even need to buy anything. Get off your phone, off the beer and spend time making memories. Before they want iPhones and turn in to recluses.
Let them choose a Christmas film and pay attention, watch it with them.
Make traditions- go for a Christmas Day walk.

£1,000 of Plastic shit gets thrown away and forgotten in a heart beat.

To be honest I don't have a set amount as it depends what DC would like that year. I am of the opinion that DC get bits throughout the year such as a toy for being really good, sometimes if they just fancy something (I'm talking £2/3 so nothing expensive) or it's a bargain so don't get much at all, probs never anymore than £30/40/50 but only 3 years old ust now.

I never give essentials like pants/socks as part of their Xmas either as get when needed and also have a large family who are so generous with gifts that it would just be ridiculous for me to spend for the sake of it.

I am however considering getting a yearly pass to our zoo this year instead of presents as our house is filled with stuff already and it would be pointless adding to it just because.

I agree with PPs that it really depends, but 100% there's no need to buy everything on the list. Our dc (5) asks for various things throughout the year, which gives us ideas, but ultimately we decide amount based on having one large gift (around £100 max, thus far, apart from the bike last Christmas) and then smaller items that they're most likely to enjoy longer term (vs. seeing a toy in a shop one day and wanting it in that moment, and promptly forgetting all about it). Definitely not everything on the list.

Around £250 each. Santa is just the delivery driver here, they have always been aware that we pay for everything. It helps with the varying gotfts between their friends.

About £200 each on Santa gifts and then £50 each on stockings. I love a bargain, so shop using discounts and I always have a lot of free Amazon gift cards from my credit card points so it always looks more.

We gift big ticket items like a bike or iPad from us. New bike was around £300-350 I think, but I think it’s a need really, rather than the other Santa toys, which are fun. It would have been a birthday present, but DC1 wasn’t quite the right height at that stage.

My children don’t really get gifts from anyone but us. My dad kindly gives them some money.
I think I spend around £200 on each child, give or take.

We have spent just shy of £1000, my parents about £1500… but there are specific circumstances, that isn’t the usual amount.