Expectations of young adult DCs

[buckingfrolicks]

When do you stop with the childhood fripperies if Christmas?

How old were your DCs when the stockings stopped and the financial value of gifts went down?

I've always spent a stupid amount lot on my DCs and support them abit financially through the year. Is 20 a reasonable age for them to accept that eg they get cash but not as much as before? ( both are earning now).

I think I'll be sorting out stockings today, I'm feeling sad that they don't have one

I think it depends on individual circumstances- how many DC, DGC you have, how wealthy you and they are. PIL are comfortable but retired, have 4 DC and 3DGC plus a large extended family so a lot to buy for. DC all in very well paid jobs with working spouses, also mostly in well paid jobs and don't really want for anything so there is no 'need' for lots of gifts at Xmas. We had the discussion when they retired about cutting down a bit as it really was getting ridiculous for everyone, so stockings have now stopped and just a gift or two each, rather than stockings +5-6 gifts. Adult DC now take turns to host as well, which with such a large crowd reduces the cost for the retirees.

I spend more on presents as my DC grow up. After all, young adults need so much more than little kids. Some things I manage to still fit in their stockings which, as others have said, are the same ones they used from each of their first Christmas. I suspect I will continue forever but would, of course, stop if they became 'meh' as you mention. I suspect my DC will not do this though.
Last year DD2 (17) was distraught when we had to leave a parsnip out for Rudolph because I hadn't got any carrots.

Stocking given to my 27 year old today ( I wont see him on Christmas Day)

Fave sweets
pack of tissues (tradition!)
tree ornament from home town
fake tattoo sleeve
comedy T shirt
miniature JD
book (how to argue with a cat)
lucky stone
finger puppet
solar powered minion

We do stockings for our 5 all over 40. I do one for dh too and he does one for me. We buy contributions for dgc stockings. We spend £30-£50 each on presents and have a total budget of around £1000 which I save during the year.
We are OAPs now, we used to spend more when we were working. I wouldn’t go into debt for Christmas.

To add we include partners and do big joint stockings for couples. We have 9dgc in total.

It hasn't been scaled back but it just depends on what DC(18 + 24) want, last year DD only wanted some skin stuff and money so only spent £100. This year she wanted a Fitbit and a few other bits and bobs so I've spent more. (she only wanted the cheapest Fitbit but I thought I'd spoil her) however she has moved out and the only time she now stays over is for Christmas so I like to make it really magical and go the extra mile over Christmas because I bloody miss her when she's not here. For her birthday I spend around £50.

I just enjoy spoiling her whilst shes here for Christmas before marriages and babies come along and it changes

We have never done stockings so we don't have them, however I know DD and her DP do them together so I wouldn't say theres an age limit

Everyone in our family gets a stocking- children and adults. If we go to my parents house (where there are often lots of people) my mum
Organises adult stockings- and everyone is asked to bring a contribution towards these. Parents do their kids' stockings.
Not expensive stuff- I think last year I got tissues, pen & pencil, soap, shower gel, tangerine, mini can of pop, chocolates etc.

When I was a student I got stuff like spices, stamps, phone card alongside more fun bits.

We're not going there this year so DH has strict instructions to get things for my stocking this year so the kids don't ask why I haven't got one. When they stop believing they'll be expected to help him do my stocking.

Stockings continued from parents until our early 30s when we persuaded them to cut down (we had got to stage where earning well and had spare cash). Adult ‘stockings’ (in a gift bag under the tree) had food treats (nuts/chocs), bottle of booze, underwear, socks and a magazine or two- all appreciated when money was tight.

I have dd aged 21 and ds aged 16. I’ve been trying to reduce the budget for my now 21 year old for the last couple of years but my dh wasn’t having it. In hindsight I can see his point. She wasn’t earning any significant money of her own so Christmas presents were an opportunity to buy her something she couldn’t afford herself. This year she has a better part time job whilst still at university and is on less of a budget then the 16 year old. Next year it may go down a bit again - depending on her circumstances. Even at that half of her budget has gone on winter jumpers, pjs and even a travel cup. So practical things.

My ds got a higher budget and less practical stuff. Board game etc.

They both get stockings but I can’t see myself doing that after they move out.

There’s no right way - each family surely creates their own traditions and customs?

Everyone in my house at Christmas get a one. I've just finished putting one together for my son's boyfriend who I met for the first time today.

My parents continued to give me a stocking full of little pressies until I left home at 23!
And a larger gift / money under the tree. To the approximate value of £70.

I still get a gift under the tree of about the same £, but no stocking. They always ask me what we need / want in advance, and it's usually something unexciting for the house.

My parents did me a stocking right up until I moved out of home (age 21)! We did the mince pies out for Santa, carrot for Rudolph, the lot! I guess it just never seemed like the right time to stop and we all enjoyed doing it, 10 minutes in the pound shop getting stocking fillers and 5 minutes on Christmas Eve just to keep a bit of Christmas magic never seemed too much to do, and I know they still will be doing it for my sisters (17 and 19) because we all just love Christmas 😂 my fiancé and I are do stockings for each other just because it’s nice