Am I spending way too much on a 3yr old and a 1yr old???

[BebeBelge]

I haven't actually bought anything yet but have put together a wishlist for dcs. It comes to £90 for dd (3.6yr) and £80 for ds (18 mo). This includes one big present from Santa (trike for ds & scooter for dd) and one big present from Mummy & Daddy, and the rest is stocking fillers - books, dvd, puzzle & soft toy each. I will also spend a little extra for wee stuff for the stockings like stickers/choc coins etc. so no more than a few more pounds each.

Have i got totally carried away?? I thought I was being restrained but DH seems a little shocked (we can afford it though). I have friends with similar aged dcs but would feel funny asking them how much they're spending. Would love some perspective on what's normal?

Thanks!

I always have a maximum budget of £100 each for bdays and Xmas, but I only spend that much if there is a big present involved (say a bike or scooter). I don't worry about spending the same amount on DS and DD, but I try to make sure they have the same number of presents.

I don't think that's too OTT. I thought you were going to say hundreds of squids!

I don't think it is, it's totally upto the person and their cicumstances i think. We've spent £80 on DS who is 2.10, it mostly consitited of lego duplo, happyland and fireman sam. His birthday is Hogmanay so we spend about the same for that too or just less :)

You can afford it, the things you are buying will be used and enjoyed so I don't see the problem.

I used to spend £100 when they were about those ages.

God knows how much it is now.

The trikes with the handles are fab, you can push them when they get tired!

I've just added up what I've spent on DS and it's about £150. I've gone totally over the top, he's only 7 mo! £50 is on a baby walker and £35 on clothes but the rest on stuff he doesn't need. I said I wasn't going to do this. Bugger.

The trike for ds is more of a ride on really - it's a scramblebug so thought it could be used inside and out. Plus it folds up and will fit in the bottom of the buggy (already tested in shop!)! Thanks for perspective everyone!

I agree with someone who mentioned the volume of gifts. I want to get my DS two items he will love and play with all the time - a metal trike, and a wooden stove. I want to get the best quality toys I can find, so they won't be cheap, but should last years and any other children we may have! I was number 7 - maybe it's easier to go all out with the first one or two, if you think other children will play with the toys later?

I have spent more than that on DS before, but I buy his Christmas and birthday presents at the same time and then divvy them up for balance (his birthday is early December). I also buy for my family in the UK - they put money into my account to cover the cost - so it gets a bit confusing as to who has spent what in the end.

DS is probably getting a trampoline this year (he'll be 4) so that's already more than you've spent on both your DC - that will be his big present and then he's getting a few smaller ones as well. (I say probably because DH is supposed to be sorting out a deck area to put it on as we don't have a flat area for it currently but he's done nothing so far and it's already November ) Actually the trampoline is a bit of a present for all of us - we're making sure we get one that can support our weight too!

In the end, so long as you can afford it comfortably and are happy with what you have given them, and it's not so much that they get "present fatigue" - then it's fine. It's your family business and no one else's.

That sounds like a nice selection of Christmas presents.

I don't think you can compare how much people spend because everyone's background and current situation will be different to your own. Some people will spend a few quid in Poundland, others will spend £££ in Hamley's - it isn't indicative of how happy the kids will be, how much fun you'll have or how spoilt they'll act.

However, as you asked, I don't think that's too much - no. That's about how much I'd normally spend on nieces/nephews, I'd spend more on my own kids.

I think the scooter and the trike are things you will be really glad they have. We got our ds a mini micro scooter for Christmas when he was almost three, he is 5 and a half now and still uses it almost every day to get to school. It was expensive but it was a good buy.

I think your list is fine, as long as you can comfortably afford it.

I think that sounds like a great choice of presses and not OTT at all. I am spending c. £150 on my DS (will be 2) for Xmas and about the same for his B'day (5 days later). I am spending pretty much nothing on DD (may get her a few clothes but she would have had those anyway) but she will only be 6mo and I will get the jumperoo out of storage! I imagine this balance will be redressed in later years!

I get completely carried away with Christmas, DH always moans at me because we agree to a £100 limit but I keep buying and hiding things that appear on Xmas eve and he had no idea about them!

I never learn though!

I think thats fine (not OTT at all), i have got too carried away with my dd's (5 and 7) and have spent too much, i have picked things up during the year that i have seen on offer, i havn't bought as much for dd1 as she's that bit older and doesn't play with much, she has asked for lego and all the bits she wants come to £120 (thats for 4 lego sets) so she's getting the lego and will be sharing a sylvanian family house with dd2, she will only have 6 or 7 things to open but they have cost a fortune. You seem to get far less for your money as they get older. Dd2 will have lots of little things which will cost less than dd1's few presents.

If you can afford it then why not? I would rather spend more on buying them 3 decent things rather than spending half the amount on plastic tat that will be broken by boxing day. We do stockings that contain tat and they do love a bit of tat but i don't spend a fortune on it. Last year the dd's had too much, they are not too bothered about opening things and get bored after opening 5 presents which is why i'm trying to limit the amount i buy this year (which i'm finding hard). Dd2 is sharing the sylvanians house with dd1, i have bought furniture for it but will just put it all in the same box, then she's getting the leap frog leappad and a few moshi monster bits (pj's, duvet cover, gift pack), have ordered a few other little bits that they will probably share.

They don't get much from family and friends and we are having our first christmas at home with out family coming over so they can take all day to open things if they like.

I love christmas so i get a little carried away.

Flubba, you're not mean. I've bought 4yo dd an alarm clock, will probably do her a stocking with small things, mostly homemade and will knit/draw/write/craft other things. I've spent about £20 on her.

DS will be 4mo and I will buy him nothing. DD has bought him something for a couple of pounds just because she wanted to.

I adore Christmas like nothing else but it doesn't translate to gift buying. Good job as we have no money.

It all comes down to, will your child appreciate it and can you afford it. Answer yes to both and you're winning.

Thanks ShowOfHands - also DCs have a silly number of aunts/uncles etc so get spoiled. It always makes me a bit at how many presents are under the tree each year.