How old are your dc's and what have they asked for for christmas??

[Marne]

Just thought if we all say what our dc's have asked for we can make a list for people who are struggling to know what to buy?

DD1 7 - Not sure what to get her yet but has asked for a fish tank and lego Ninja's.

DD2 5- wants Moshling zoo ds game and leappad.

She does get more than one small present .

This year she will get three books, new pyjamas and a stocking which will have books, small card game, toiletries and chocolates. I often try and make her something as well .

She is not a child without things , in fact I think she has too much stuff. She has lots of nice clothes, a wii, a hifi in her room, a tv, musical instruments and a lovely bedroom.

We spend a lot on DCs, but not on each other or family. (We do an adult secret Santa between us all, so we buy one present rather than a dozen, as we all can afford different amounts). My Mum has claimed she will be more restrained this year. That will be interesting, as it's her that started the trend of FC bringing loads of stuff!

I spend a lot of time on the build up too; it's a lovely time of year and this year will be particularly poignant as DD has leukaemia and has spent months in and out of hospital. I think that's why I've probably spent a bit more than I normally would - I'm just so relieved to have her still.

I'n not suggesting you deprive her . It would be unusual for a child only to get a present from her mum and step dad is all. And I wondered how it worked. It all sounds rather lovely.

It does sound lovely twinkly.

We're having our first Christmas together in our home and I want to make it very intimate. I want to start lots of non-present based traditions. I'm definitely going to have an elf and some mischief; I think DS(2) will love that.

This is the first year that the DS's have knowingly asked for stuff iyswim.

DS1 (7.5) has asked for a scalextric (how much that seed was planted by his father I am unsure, DH loves em and as soon as DS1 was born was planning model railways and scalextric sets)
A Scooby Doo Haunted House, a skate board, Fifa 12 for the Wii
DS2 (5.5) has asked for a Zoo Ranger (?), a stretch Scooby Doo and a DS.

I have been collecting lego, Meccano and books for stocking fillers.

The only definites are the Scalextric and DS (DS2 gets v jealous of DS1's and it will be great for long journeys/holidays). I do rue the one morning I was running late for work and missed that they were watching CITV, hence the other stuff Scooby Doo crap is £40 odd and looks rubbish.

Mine get one present from us and a stocking. But also presents from grandparents and aunts and uncles. It is a manageable heap, and I like it.

I am about the amount of stuff some kids are getting!

Yes I think it does depend on how much you received as a child; I used to get LOADS as I was an only child. Now I have a DS I do the same. I will go overboard; I intend to spend around £450 on him and I'm sure as he grows it will be more. He is 1 atm.

But horses for courses; we have the money so it's ok. But if we didn't, presents would be the first thing to go in favour of nice food. And I only have 1 child; who will remain an only. So I have more money to work with from the off, and a lot of it will be things he needs; clothes, shoes, and other things, books and toys over his age range to last the year.

The trick is in finding out what your DC want early (or hypnotising them) and then getting bargains.
We've found a half price Scalextric set and a half price DS.

We don't spend more than £100 each on them, just buy carefully.

If they still have stuff they want then that will be from Grandparents/relatives. We only buy for children in our family now (save DH's and mine's parents) so it is all doable.

Oh and I realise this won't work when they get older!

Thank you sunnyday123 I will check it out

I cannot imagine spending £450 on a toddler . Not because it would be wrong but just because I can't think what I would buy. Surely you have to try to spend that much.

ds is 4, he's asked for a two wheeled scooter as his mini micro is a bit knackered. Actually it just needs a new back wheel, so I'm going to fix it and give it to dd and we'll probably buy him a new scooter which will be from Father Christmas. My mum and dad are going to get him a bike as he's outgrown his little baby one he's had for a couple of years. I'm quite tempted to buy him a skateboard too as they do teeny ones for about £8.

DD will be almost 2 (birthday is New Years Eve) so we're going to get her a bed for her doll. We're also going to get her some books.

I tend not to go OTT with the kids, they'll have stockings, one present from dh and I and one from Father Christmas. They'll get so much from the rest of the family it'll be madness to get them lots. Our little house is bursting at the seams. I'm already contemplating sorting out their toys and giving a load to the charity shop.

Not really twinkly, things cost more nowadays I'm sure of it. I spend a lot on clothes for him that he will grow into as well; 12-18 months and 18-24 months sizes. Same for toys; I was grateful when I did it last year, because they change so quickly at this age, into one thing one minute and something else the next. He had big jeans and sleep suits ready for a growth spurt and nice stuff as well, so it didn't matter if we were a bit short one month; he was sorted.

Yes headfairy I have had a chuck out in preparation for Christmas or you're swimming in plastic!

Twinkle I think last year we bought him a jumperoo (about £90 at the time), a bumbo, clothes, a few toys and a big playmat. Which all added up to a lot, but I'd have probably bought it throughout the year anyway iyswim, so it makes not a whole lot of difference if I buy it in one go.

DS1, 17: Driving lessons, coat, Xbox game.

DD, 15: Camera, coat.

DS2, 12: Ipod Touch, Dr.Who sonic screwdriver.

DH, 42: Check shirt, hat, shag, socket set.

goober

itspeanutbutterjellytime,

fair enough you have the dosh, but what can you buy a 1 year old for £450??

will he notice?!

He asked.

Will the shag happen while he is wearing the hat and the check shirt?Although I don't want to think what would be happening with the socket set....

pirate I'll spend about £120 on clothes, another £25 on shoes, a couple of Happyland playsets, a wheelybug, a nice trainset, a bedset (orange sick on his old bumper), a few bits from Hamleys... Yes quite a lot, but I don't buy a lot throughout the year. Most people probably spend that across the year; I just do it in one go. He's pretty much sorted and set to go, because as I said before some of it is deliberately over his age range but he will use it later on next year.

He has "Christmas " every other day already. He can wear whatever he likes.

DD (4.7) has asked for a huggle buddy, a kiddiminiz and a Disney Princess secret diary. Oh and some orange and green tic tacs

DSD (8 the week before Xmas) has been writing lists every day for the last month. They rarely have the same things on them twice She will probably get Design a Friend stuff, various craft kits (cool cardz, bracelet makers, harumika sets), Roald Dahl boxed set, Make up, jewellery (i.e. tat from Claire's), a jewellery box and stocking stuff

DS (2 the week before Xmas) will get a micro scooter and some "boy" dressing up stuff. He does look quite sweet in his big sisters' Tinkerbell outfits but I'm not sure its going to be long before he starts complaining .