How much do you spend on your DC

[whattodo2019]

How much do you spend on their stocking?
How much on presents?

£40 is fine. I did it last year only gone up this year as we got (2nd hand bikes) and elder 2 needed 2nd hand phones. X

About £150 (he is 6). This doesn't include bikes and scooters which I buy as he grows into them - he looks on these as transport rather than toys, so he wouldn't be excited to get them as gifts.

I have never known a 6yr old not to get excited about a bike or scooter whether it was essential or a gift. Blimey my 7yr old gets excited when she gets a magazine!

@SpunBodgeSquarepants

I wish I hadn't opened this thread. I feel sick now. I can only spend about £40 on my son.

Please, please, don't feel bad. I spend similar on my kids and I don't think they'll be miserable on Christmas mornings. And they do not get dozens of presents from family and friends, just one present from each pair of grandparents worth around 20 pounds.

My little girl will be 20 months at Christmas and she is getting from us:

1. IKEA Duktig bed for dolls 13 pounds

1. Two children's books bought on sale for 8 pounds (she loves books and they're beautifully illustrated and I know she is going to love them)

1. A lovely Christmas box (the one I have for years) full of doll's clothes bought on sale for 8 pounds. She got a lovely old doll from her granny in excellent condition, but clothes are a wreck, so now doll is going to have a makeover

1. Some lovely wooden toys from Lidl for around 10 pounds

My 6 year old is getting

1. Scotland Yard board game bought in charity shop for 2.50

1. A collection of three children's books by Oliver Jeffers bought on sale for 15 pounds

1. Andersen's Snow Queen bought in charity shop for a pound

1. Two Ravensburger puzzles from charity shop for 6 pounds in mint condition (and I was lucky to find puzzles he likes)

1. And (yes, yes, yes, I know I'll be criticized for this - Nerf Fortnite gun bought for half price - 20 pounds - two months ago. That is the only thing he asked from Santa and I had to get him that.

So, please on't be sad. Your little one is going to be happy with things you buy him.

kavalkada your list made me smile. Mine are older now, but I used to start trawling charity shops from Sept onwards for these types of gifts.

It's about what you know will delight that child, that year.

The two that stick out in my mind was a toy piano for ds when he was 4 (I remember him screaming 'I love this!' as he took the paper off and taking it out in the street to show our neighbour), and the doll's pram that I got for dd when she was 7. It didn't leave her side for two weeks, it came on the bus, tube, to museums, friend's houses etc. She only put it in the loft when she was 12.

About £30 quid each. Happy memories thank you!

These threads always end up making people feel bad. Spend what you can afford and are happy to spend and don't think about what other people are doing as it doesn't affect you anyway.

In my experience it gets a hell of a lot more expensive as kids get older. We have a mid-teen now and even with only 1 or 2 things on the 'wish-list' it's a very different prospect to buying for a young primary school kid.

Blimey my 7yr old gets excited when she gets a magazine!

Same here, tbh so do I I!

@SpunBodgeSquarepants don't feel bad, we spend the same on our son. We could afford to spend a bit more on him but choose not to. He's a very happy toddler who appreciates what he's got and loves giving to others. Being happy, healthy and together is what counts to us on Christmas Day. Please don't feel bad or guilty.

We spend what we can afford and when the kids were little we spent significantly less.

These threads never go well and it’s usually the ‘I earn 200 grand a year but my dc get an outfit a book and a toy from the secondhand shop and that’s more than enough’ brigade who are judgemental on those who like to spend a bit more. I spend about 350 on each dc including stockings.

we have a good income & I buy lots 2nd hand eg uniform but I don't think I'm judgemental. I genuinely don't think I could spend 1k per child every year especially when young as it's not like they would need a new computer every yr. Although I do buy stuff throughout the year so maybe that's why.

No stockings this year
3 DS's £200 each
Hopefully I'll be able to see them in person but if not, FaceTime is fine Them being safe and well is more important

4 year old (5 in January) has around £400 spent on him not including stocking. Dh does those as it’s his family tradition, I never had one growing up.
I know it’s a fair amount for his age but he has ASD and doesn’t always have the easiest time of it. His main interest is dinosaurs and the the types he covets aren’t the cheapest.
My 2 year old has around £230 spent on her and I don’t feel any need to make up the difference. Her toys come in bigger boxes so visually it looks like she has more.

DS's are 26,23 and 19

Our entire budget for Christmas (gifts for everyone and food) is £550!!! We spend about £130 on each DC (we have 2).

We do stockings. Am in Scotland. Grew up with stockings too.

I don't think anyone should feel bad about how much or little they spent on presents. I always end up spending more because I buy things like instruments, dance equipment etc.

This year dd wants a new bed for her redecorated room, which is going to be a Christmas present because it's not necessary just nice to have. She's also asked for a tap board, new boots and a pencil for her ipad, which soon adds up but is all related to her interests so I'm happy to oblige. If she just wanted toys it would be much closer to £100, than the £500 I'll spend.

When they were toddlers about £60. I thought I'd never spend hundreds.

Now they're 8 and 5 the eldest will have about £2-250 this year the youngest probably about £150-200. Plus about £30-50 each for stockings.

I imagine it will only get more expensive. We can afford it and don't get into debt for it.

JakeChambers thats what I do too. I think that's how I have got carried away this year. I've got the normal dance bits she's asked FC for. She's also just got a new bed so FC and family are buying bits for her bedroom.
Her dancing costs quite a bit throughout the year with comps and festivals so although she still believes she knows it costs us a fortunate and so asks FC to bring some bits.
There actually isn't that much "tat" this year.

I love charity shops and find loads of stocking fillers there.

Spunbodge - don't feel bad, many people spend much less on presents than some of the amounts mentioned on here, I certainly do but I don't even post on these sorts of threads because I don't want to look sanctimonious.

Many people will just avoid these threads as it can get very competitive and materialistic.

@SpunBodgeSquarepants

I wish I hadn't opened this thread. I feel sick now. I can only spend about £40 on my son.

Please don't feel bad, I'm sure your DC will love what they are able to get. Did you read the post from the lady who received charity shop gifts as a child she never noticed at the time.

We all have our limit on what we are able to spend. Abd they'll always be someone better off or worse off than you.

Mine are only small. Our stockings are quite pricey as they are the only things Santa brings.

I would say for every single stocking present and tree present, about £320 per child. They are only just turned 3 and just turned 5. I imagine costs could increase as they age but hope not.

I would like to add that I save throughout the year to do this and that they really don't get much else as we do confine presents to Christmas and birthdays.

And gosh @SpunBodgeSquarepants please don't feel bad! Children who wake up on christmas morning to a house full of warmth and love and excitement are all so lucky and will enjoy it! £40 is a plenty decent amount and they will be so excited xx

Probably about £100

However we have a very large family. DD will get at least £350 of other presents from family members, so there is no need for is to spend a lot - it would just be too much.

For the baby we have only spent about £30 as the rest will be DDs old toys wrapped up.

I spent just above £150 for the first time.
My DD will be turning 5 just after Christmas. We don't really set the budget. We just we buy things she likes. Last year I think we only spent £50 ish. When she was baby, it was £30.
She's always happy for what she gets. That's what matters most to me.