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Christmas

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Original poster

If you were to give your kids money for Christmas, how much?

41 replies

BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:04

8 is youngest. 15 is oldest.

They don't need anything.

So going to do bits in stockings, new pj's, some group presents such as games for consoles

And £x?? Each??

OP posts:
Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:05

PS. They have asked for money. Its not me being lazy.
Though I'm glad as I really haven't a clue what to get them anyway.

OP posts:
OhamIreally · 30/09/2019 22:07

£100 each. Or get more actual presents for the 8 year old and £150 for the 15 year old.

Pootin · 30/09/2019 22:14

Difficult to say without knowing your budget/finances we did 500 for one teen last year and the equivalent spend on computer for the other teen. smaller ones had less spent but way more stuff

cccameron · 30/09/2019 22:15

Was just about to type the same as OhamIreally Grin
I think 8 is still really little as far as Xmas excitement goes and I'd be inclined to find them a few more presents they'd like to open. I'd probably give £150-200 to the 15 yr old

Ithinkwerealonenowtiffany · 30/09/2019 22:17

My 15 & 17 yr olds are having £200 each and bits to open.
Youngest is 11 and getting some cash,clothes and a PS4 game

gamerchick · 30/09/2019 22:18

I give 100 each if they want money.

converseandjeans · 30/09/2019 22:20

Probably £50 note each plus few bits to open. It's all we can afford. Buy for quite a few other people. So they get lots of gifts to open. I have no idea where people find the cash to gift £500 per child. They would be very happy with that amount & would add it to savings. They get decent amounts for bdays from family.

MovinOnUp · 30/09/2019 22:22

Does your 8yo not believe in Santa anymore? (or did you not do Santa in the first place?)
Just asking as I have an 8yo and I'm not sure he isn't just playing along for my sake :)

Anyway,To answer the question, I think £100 each is more than enough, Especially with the extras you are doing.

Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:24

8 year old is on the verge of not believing, I guess that's the result of having older siblings.

They will have wrap ups in their stockings, PJs to open and some smaller gifts but the big gifts won't be there.

They'll also have gifts from extended family so will have things to open.

OP posts:
Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:26

I think you're right about DS actually thinking about it.

He's mentioned a few toys and things so he will probably have more presents than cash. Or I may just do all presents for him.

OP posts:
Sittingonthefence83 · 30/09/2019 22:29

£50 each is more than enough I think, but then I don't think I'm as well off as most other Mumsnetters!

Pinkyyy · 30/09/2019 22:32

I don't believe in giving cash as a present.

june2007 · 30/09/2019 22:33

This will depend on, your income? What you expect them to spend it on? How much you would normally spend on your child? I wouldn't give money to my own children though so very hard to say.

Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:35

Well it's what they've asked for.

I'm not going to buy them gifts they have no interest in when they have asked to have money 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Pinkyyy · 30/09/2019 22:37

If there's nothing they want then they don't get anything. You don't want to buy them pointless crap so you'd rather give them money to spend on pointless crap?

Buy tickets for a concert/experience.

chipsandgin · 30/09/2019 22:40

Oh blimey - mine are similar ages & my 16 year old tells me that the £30 we’ve spent/given them for Christmas is very minor compared to his friends - looks like he’s right according to this thread!!

We’ve probably spent the same again on them on little presents to open & have big families who give similar so they end up with £200ish each overall plus the little gifts.

There’s no way we could afford to give/spend £150 each, let alone £500 each, that’s more than my take home salary for the month! It’s entirely dependent on your income I imagine...

CharlieWork · 30/09/2019 22:42

Cash is the gift of autonomy. It's a great gift.

Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:44

I think presents for the little one and maybe 150 plus small wrap ups for older ones.

500 is way too much for our income

OP posts:
Original poster
BloodSugar · 30/09/2019 22:45

I think so too Charlie.

It means they have the money there if they see something they like in the sales or want to go out with their mates for a special trip out. I think it makes them feel a bit more independent and grown up.

OP posts:
cccameron · 30/09/2019 22:54

Yes money is a great present for older teenagers. Money for clothes shopping, hanging out with friends etc.
I dont think I'd do it for the 8 yr old though. Dd is 8 and I love seeing the look on her face as she opens all her presents. Cash just wouldn't do it for her. Realise all kids are different though.

notso · 30/09/2019 23:12

I'd be a bit gutted if my 8 or 7 year old asked for cash for Christmas, not sure whether they still believe or not they're still talking about presents from Father Christmas. Elder two are 19 and 15 so far never asked for money either.

I'd give money towards something specific but not a few hundred quid to blow on hanging round with mates, DS1 would probably spend it all on Dr Pepper and Subways. They get pocket money for that.

Serin · 30/09/2019 23:36

When we did a fostering course the leaders said that each family gets given £150 for xmas gifts per child. Carers choose whether to buy gifts with it or give cash.

MutedUser · 01/10/2019 00:25

I would do £500 each I wouldn’t give the older one more.

Ebonyandivory2 · 01/10/2019 00:42

£500 each?! I’m all for being generous but that seems a little much. I think £100 is reasonable

MutedUser · 01/10/2019 02:02

Yes £500 each it’s what I budget for presents so if they weren’t getting presents I would give them the money I would have spent. It seems like a lot cause it is a lot but if the teenagers wanted a new phone or an iPad etc it really doesn’t go far .