Am i tight arse mummy if i give my dd these for Christmas?

[huffpuff]

DD (5 2 weeks before xmas)

Big pressie:
New bike

Other pressies:
sticker maker
game of some sort
book of some sort

Stocking:
tape dispenser (she LOVES cellotape!)
torch
disposable camera and album
chocolate coins
glitter pens
notepad
hairbrush and grips

I normally go mad at xmas but need to budget this year - does this seem ok to you or is it a bit stingy?

PS: her birthday is just before xmas and she is getting a bunny and hutch etc and a letterbox dressing table (2nd hand!)

My three run round the house like wild banshees sometimes.

They also like playing with k'nex, and lego, etc etc.

They don't need these products.

Then again, I don't need the wine and chocolate that I consume.

It's a balance. My boys don't have anywhere near what my nephew or some of their friends have, but have more than some children.

I think everyone (apart from those on this post!) spends far too much on christmas presents. I've heard of children getting new bikes in their Christmas stocking! I think one biggish present, and little bits is right. But to be honest, I begrudge even that sometimes, as Christmas seems all about expectation rather than ....what? I've lost the Christmas plot.

I don't spend anymore than a fiver on my nieces and nephews. A family pact. I think the number of presents is obscene anyway!

(pukka bows with flourish) glad to have been of service ma'am!

the irony of it is, that dh has been known to allow the sods to bully him into buying stuff when he has had to take them out soemwher. really really annoys me.

i am now off to feed dc tesco finest lasagne because i am such a good mummy. -not.

notjustamom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you thought about agreeing with the extended family about somehow reducing the present buying??? It just seems excessive - nice meal out with some of them instead????

My little ones 2,4 & 5 like dressing up, going on holidays, kitchen/picnic play, a few bored games, colouring, dollies in a small way and playing in the garen so scooter/bikes etc.

Best buy ever was a wooden wendy house - sold the elest ones plastic one and took some money from each of their accounts towards it too. Musical instruments live in it too

pml. Mine can wrap DH round their fingers sometimes too.

Although he is at present cooking a chicken for dinner, so I can't complain too much, lol.

wow, that's a lot notjustmom!

Mine have two sets of grandparents (money off one and a couple of items each of the other) and three aunts/uncles buying for them, £5, £10 and £20ish each.

notjustamom you live in a different world to us financially!!!

Yes it's very hard him being an only one perhaps you could ask him which toys he really likes and which ones he would like to "give" to some other child who doesn't have much. Once you have far far far far less crap toys in your home then their will be more joy in recieving some new stuff.

TBH if you could cope would he like a dog - only because that could be a good companion for him. Other than that you will have to indulge him with lots of your time and lots of playdates!

but do the dogs hang out together rather than one being "his" dog IYSWIM. I agree it is you feeling guilty at not providing a sibling - stop beating yourself up, does he have cousins that you can have over to stay or friends???

But yes stop buying him so much, it's bad for the environment - lol!

does he get excited when he gets presents?

my nephew has so much and seems so disapointed with whatever we buy him and it makes my dd's very sad to see

Now im worried about how stingy i'm going to look DS will be v.nearly 2 and hes getting

peppa pig playground
a book
a jigsaw
and a selection box

his b day is new years day so haven't got enough money to get anything else

make the most of it bogie whilst they are young and hopefully when they are older they wont expect much

DD is 10

Her stocking will contain
Socks
Knickers
Paperback
Pencils/pens (not sure what exactly)
Notepad
Chocolate money
Tangerine
50p (maybe a £1 due to inflation)

I don't do stocking 'rubbish' I buy stuff she needs

Plus a present (as yet undecided - but will be less than £30ish - we have had a good year this year)

Thats perfectly fine and a generous amount for christmas.There is no point in buying huge amounts anyway,whether you can afford to or not as most of it gets ignored.
Ds stocking will be
chocolate coins
apple (he doesn't like tangerines!)
lemon/cherry raisins
magnifying glass
slime
new horrid Henry book
gruesome tales cd
annual (shoot or match maybe both if they are on offer

Main present

Fifa 08 ps2 game

Mum and my brothers will buy him some things as well and I know he will be happy

I have 3 DD's aged 8 7 and almost 3 going on 13 lol

I have bought them a pink tv dvd combi (they share a room)between them and am just planning on doing like a gift basket of bits and pieces,
ie craft/colouring stuff, hair bobbles, smellies (bath stuff you know what i mean)
a new mug with small teddy and anything else I find in poundshop lol

I told them no big toys this year cos they dont look after half of them and they got bratz dolls and 'babies' coming out their ears

I think with what you are getting your DD is plenty and by not getting loads and loads of 'big' prezzies she will appreciate what you have bought more imo

who agrees?

This is mad.
My dd is 7 this week and she is gettting nothing apart from a £6.99 compass. I've told her party guests not to bring any cards or presents.

We are not poor by any means.

We've cut down as a family this year aswell, and have said we're not spending any more than £10 on eachother!
Half the stuff children are bought these days is only because they've seen it on the telly anyway , and they've not concept of how crap it really is in real life

i think your dd will be more than pleased with what you have planned for her so try not to worry. i have been worrying a bit myself this year as to how i am going to finance christmas for 4 of them. i want to get away from all the hype and expectation of loads of presents etc..tbh i hav'nt even paid off my cc from last year. i think children get just as excited about things like making decorations, mince pies, putting out reindeer food on christmas eve,watching the films on tv whilst scoffing choccies etc! so thats what im going to concentrate on mainly this year.

That list looks brill. A large/pricey present and some smaller ones. We had one year when we actually wrapped up the tangerines and toothbrushes we gave them just so they had something to unwrap.

My sister is not giving (or receiving) anything this year for herself or her kids.They will however be making their own cards nad biscuits,pies and so on which will be given.

Youngest has finally figured out what he wants for Christmas, a new keyboard for his computer with extra gadgets. So at least I have a direction to go in now.