Why do you spend what you do at Christmas and is the downturn affecting what you're planning to spend on Christmas?

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello all, I'm going on Radio 4's You and Yours this am to discuss Christmas spending. Would be great to hear your thoughts on what you are planning to spend this Christmas, how you got to that decision and whether you feel it's too much/ about right/too little. And also whether and how the recession is making a difference to your Christmas plans and expectations? Thanks in advance.

So far I've spent £232.59. Will probably spend another £100.

I just don't want to waste money this year. It's less about cutting down, more about being sick of just throwing money down the drain!

Strangely this year I have decided to give more to charity. Having less money because of rising costs etc has made me think about what the DCs already have compared to others - soooo much!!

I have decided to spend the usual £50 on each of our 3 DCs but they will also get a gift of donating a rabbit/chicken/water tap from the Send a Cow website which helps families in Africa to farm more effectively.

Although the youngest is only 3 I would like it to become a xmas tradition that they GIVE something as well as receiving something.

Like MorallyBankrupt said in her post, I'm fed up of throwing money down the drain on more and more plastic tut that the DCs really don't need.

Thanks everyone for the input. Think I'm on You and Yours today.