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Original poster

To ask how much you spend on DC at Christmas?

225 replies

Iggleshmiggle · 03/12/2022 18:51

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.

OP posts:
pointsettia1 · 04/12/2022 17:30

Our two in their early teens get nice stockings with some hair and bath products, treats, fruit etc, then one present each from us: I bought the eldest a handbag for about £70 and will probably spend that or less on the youngest.

I asked the eldest if she wanted anything in particular but she couldn't think of anything and said she doesn't really want any more 'stuff' for the sake of it.

As someone else said upthread we spend on food, drink, having guests and the atmosphere than presents, plus they also get presents from GPs etc.

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 17:50

It's not ridiculous at all, if that's what you're happy to spend and aren't going into debt to do it. We happen to be spending roughly that each on our teen DDs, too. We're also taking them to Salzburg for 3 nights to enjoy the Christmas markets, and I'm taking them for a spa day at Ragdale Hall on the 28th. I don't see any of this as ridiculous at all, thanks.

Perhaps follow the rest of the conversation I had with that poster before jumping in and taking umbrage about your spa day and Christmas market visit Hmm. Presumably those are older teens, with spa days, too.

But to recap, if I must, that poster's budget for their children was approx 1300 each. That turned out to be electricals and expensive clothing, both of which I wouldn't buy as Christmas gifts but would be purchased throughout the year as needed.

Justthisonce12 · 04/12/2022 17:53

It really does depend what they want. I won’t spend just for the sake of it, one child has had £500 because she specified two items that she was keen on, another one’s probably going to get around the 300 400 mark because again there’s something pretty special that she’s got her eye on and she needs other things. She’s at uni so shoes, bras, a coat.

One of my others can’t think what she wants for love nor money, so she will literally get an IOU until she does think of something.

Little one wants something for about £800 so I’ll split that with his dad.

peaceandove · 04/12/2022 18:02

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 17:50

It's not ridiculous at all, if that's what you're happy to spend and aren't going into debt to do it. We happen to be spending roughly that each on our teen DDs, too. We're also taking them to Salzburg for 3 nights to enjoy the Christmas markets, and I'm taking them for a spa day at Ragdale Hall on the 28th. I don't see any of this as ridiculous at all, thanks.

Perhaps follow the rest of the conversation I had with that poster before jumping in and taking umbrage about your spa day and Christmas market visit Hmm. Presumably those are older teens, with spa days, too.

But to recap, if I must, that poster's budget for their children was approx 1300 each. That turned out to be electricals and expensive clothing, both of which I wouldn't buy as Christmas gifts but would be purchased throughout the year as needed.

I had read your previous post. You don't get to say it's ridiculous if someone wants to include expensive clothes and gadgets in their £1200 budget for presents.

Floralnomad · 04/12/2022 18:02

Well it’s more ridiculous @munnytrin to buy your child an iPhone in the middle of the year just because they fancy it , and nobody actually needs an iPhone .

peaceandove · 04/12/2022 18:06

Floralnomad · 04/12/2022 18:02

Well it’s more ridiculous @munnytrin to buy your child an iPhone in the middle of the year just because they fancy it , and nobody actually needs an iPhone .

We'll, quite.

When our DDs started using a mobile we provided them with decent android phones (DH is a computer scientist by qualification so he hates anything Apple). When they clamoured for fancy iPhones we refused to pay for them so they had to save up for them instead.

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:07

Floralnomad · 04/12/2022 18:02

Well it’s more ridiculous @munnytrin to buy your child an iPhone in the middle of the year just because they fancy it , and nobody actually needs an iPhone .

I didn't specify what brand of phone...

But if a phone or laptop breaks mid year, or whenever, then they will be replaced. Hopefully that's self explanatory as to why they are needed nowadays. But schoolwork and communication, to be brief.

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:09

I didn't specify a brand of phone @peaceandove That was a pp.

That's the second time you've jumped in without reading properly Smile

peaceandove · 04/12/2022 18:19

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:09

I didn't specify a brand of phone @peaceandove That was a pp.

That's the second time you've jumped in without reading properly Smile

Oh dear. How pedantic and nit picking. I bet you go down a storm at parties.

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:24

munnytrin
I didn't specify a brand of phone @peaceandove That was a pp.

That's the second time you've jumped in without reading properly 

Oh dear. How pedantic and nit picking. I bet you go down a storm at parties.

Do grow up. It's hardly pedantry to correct where you've misquoted me, twice now, because you haven't bothered to read my posts properly.

NegroniLover · 04/12/2022 18:35

We spend a lot on dd but we can afford it & she doesn't get much from wider family. She's 17 & got a new iPhone in Nov as her other phone broke. She knows this was a large expense & she has said its her Xmas present. We've let her think we're going along with that.
In reality I see phones as a necessity & yes we could have gotten her a cheaper make but it was our choice at that stage not to.

We could not let her wake up on Christmas morning & have nothing to open because she got a phone in November.

We've bought airpods Pro (her old ones are literally worn out) & a necklace she really wanted before the phone broke & had to be replaced. And some perfume.

She will also have a stocking with cosmetics, sweets, pj's etc. I think she'll be v happy.

We love Christmas & always go big on presents. I've spent about 800 on dh.

We cab afford it & don't get into debt for it

peaceandove · 04/12/2022 18:38

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:24

munnytrin
I didn't specify a brand of phone @peaceandove That was a pp.

That's the second time you've jumped in without reading properly 

Oh dear. How pedantic and nit picking. I bet you go down a storm at parties.

Do grow up. It's hardly pedantry to correct where you've misquoted me, twice now, because you haven't bothered to read my posts properly.

You know, your responses are getting increasingly dour and joyless.

Newusername3kidss · 04/12/2022 18:41

We are very comfortable but I wouldn’t spend £400 on a 5 year old! Our children have max 5 things they can ask for on Christmas list. Even at 5 they understand the price of stuff as can see it in the Smyths catalogue! Also Santa gets small gifts - big ones are from mummy and daddy

QueenBeex · 04/12/2022 18:42

Always plan on £100 per child, £150 at the very maximum.

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:45

You know, your responses are getting increasingly dour and joyless.

I do apologise the irony

Peace and love, peaceanddove Wink

Vanderpump · 04/12/2022 18:45

I think it gets more expensive as they get older, DS is 18 and I think around £1500 although could be a bit more

Xenia · 04/12/2022 18:46

We have always bought iphones and lap tops as they need them in the year. Every family is different. When my twins went to university I replaced their lap tops with new ones eg and that was not a Christmas present but that was also around the time of or just after their 18th birthdays so I suppose was part of that.

I give each child and grandchild £100 which is therefore 800 in total. we also get a nice tree installed/decorated and usual sort of Christmas foods (and quite often have had a skiing holiday at Christmas but not this year).

Also everyone has different incomes so of course different families spend differently and indeed some homes aren't allowed to do Christmas eg Jehovah's witnesses.

Just do what feels right for you and ignore everyone else.

What most children probably want most is everyone getting on well at home including their parents as the best present of all and a happy atmosphere not loads of presents.

bruisinghelp · 04/12/2022 18:47

I tell my 6 year old DD that Santa send us the bill after. That makes her understand that she can't have an endless list

Spend about £300 on each kid

CeriB82 · 04/12/2022 19:07

£300 per child. I save £100 a month and buy for my dad and BIL. Kids are 20/18/14.

Peedoffo · 04/12/2022 19:09

£250 but she gets stuff all year round.

Iamboredandgoingforatwix · 04/12/2022 19:12

About 350 for eldest (one off games console) and about £150-200 for other child. Normally we spend about £150-200 each, but that includes clothes and anything they might need and stocking bits.

noideabutstilltrying · 04/12/2022 19:54

I don't have a budget for the teens.

I ask if there are items they'd like to receive.

They also see how hard I have to work to afford what they ask for and that helps to manage expectations

They don't get gifts from family either

Nodancingshoes · 04/12/2022 20:04

At that age - £200 ish each. Mine are tweens/teenagers now so more - up to £500 each as everything is much more expensive. I save all year so have a lump sum to draw out in December. I couldn't do it otherwise.

peaceandove · 04/12/2022 22:10

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 18:45

You know, your responses are getting increasingly dour and joyless.

I do apologise the irony

Peace and love, peaceanddove Wink

I'm sorry for being pithy. Merry Christmas x

munnytrin · 04/12/2022 23:06

I'm sorry for being pithy.

Don't worry, you weren't Grin

Merry Christmas!

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