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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas budget

124 replies

Beachbreak2411 · 30/11/2021 17:05

I have £500 saved and probably £150 spare from this months pay check. I’m a skint single mum and saving the above has been hard. Am I completely unreasonable spending the £500 on my daughter and splitting the rest in my parents, brother and my boyfriend?

OP posts:
Dyerun · 30/11/2021 17:09

Not unreasonable to spend any way you want. How old is your daughter?

snowmanshoes · 30/11/2021 17:24

Not at all - you can get lots of lovely things for that!!! How old is your daughter? - not that it matters lol

Nonicknamesforcatapillars · 30/11/2021 17:29

It’s your money, so spend it how you like.

If your daughter is small though she may be overwhelmed with too much stuff. You could always save some for days out etc when the weathers warmer or a trip to the panto?

If she’s a teenager then £500 could easily be swallowed up.

Comedycook · 30/11/2021 17:32

That's more than enough imo....in fact I think that's loads. £500 on your DD is a lot...how old is she? Personally, I'd probably spend £30 each on the adults and £150 on your DD...then keep the rest in the bank!

Cornishclio · 30/11/2021 17:33

You can spend it however you want. It depends how old your daughter is though as £500 would buy her loads if very small and if you are skint some of that money could be used to buy your Christmas food or whatever but if older then obviously the things she would like are probably going to be more. I would have thought that your other family members would be fine with £30-£40 spent on them each.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 30/11/2021 17:36

Skint single mother- then cut the adults ffs, and spend less than half of your daughter- how old is she? £500 is a huge amount on one child,regardless of how much someone has spare.

Original poster
Beachbreak2411 · 30/11/2021 17:53

My dd is 10. She doesn’t have a father involved so i do feel I need to make it up.. and only one set of gps. I’m v lucky and go to my parents for Christmas Day so don’t need to buy food.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 30/11/2021 17:55

@Beachbreak2411

My dd is 10. She doesn’t have a father involved so i do feel I need to make it up.. and only one set of gps. I’m v lucky and go to my parents for Christmas Day so don’t need to buy food.
Only 10!

She could get a fantastic amount of stuff on far less than £500! I'm astounded you'd consider spending so much. You don't sound very skint to me!

InvincibleInvisibility · 30/11/2021 17:56

For a 10 year old (I have one) Id spend 250 max and save the 250 for the next birthday.

Then carry on saving like you have to have a cushion.

Igmum · 30/11/2021 17:59

In our family we don't exchange adult presents. It's a massive relief. I know the urge to splurge on your kids when you are a single mum and you know the dad won't send anything but I think you both will have much more fun splashing out £100 or so on your DD's present then spending the rest on treats for both of you throughout the year. Bet she would love a theatre trip, a day out somewhere, a spa with mum. Also hang onto some for an emergency fund. Well done for saving and hope you have a wonderful Christmas 🎅

Lovemusic33 · 30/11/2021 18:01

I think £500 is a lot for a ten year old unless she needs a big ticket item like a ipad/lap top.

I’m a single parent with 2 teens and spend roughly £200 on each which is plenty.

If you spent £200-£250 on dd you could buy yourself a little something 😉
Only buy for close relatives (parents, nieces, nephews), so you could easily do Christmas with £500-£600 and have some left over.

WisestIsShe · 30/11/2021 18:02

I think you've saved it so you splurge it on whatever you want. As pp have said though if it was me I'd spend £250 on DD and keep £250 in the rainy day fund.

Comedycook · 30/11/2021 18:04

Sorry my comment sounded a bit mean but I just can't fathom spending £500 on a child's Christmas presents

JessicaPipsqueak · 30/11/2021 18:18

@Comedycook you really can't fathom that different people spend different amounts at Christmas? I spend an awful lot more than £500, not that that's particularly relevant to this discussion.

OP, I think you've got the split about right. You describe yourself as skint though, so I'd probably look to spend £25 on each of the adults and then maybe £350 on your daughter.

This leaves you with over £200 to go into savings - making next Christmas even easier for you

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 30/11/2021 18:21

£350 on a 10yr old??!!! On what?! Seriously people need a reality check, I have a husband, far from skint and no way in hell would I spend £350 on a 10yr old!

Original poster
Beachbreak2411 · 30/11/2021 18:25

Thank you (most) for being kind. My dd goes to school with extremely wealthy families and my brothers are extremely wealthy and spend a huge amount on their kids (£1000) and a big amount on her.

OP posts:
gogohm · 30/11/2021 18:26

It's your money but that's a lot to spend on her, I would keep sons back for next year

Comedycook · 30/11/2021 18:32

[quote JessicaPipsqueak]@Comedycook you really can't fathom that different people spend different amounts at Christmas? I spend an awful lot more than £500, not that that's particularly relevant to this discussion.

OP, I think you've got the split about right. You describe yourself as skint though, so I'd probably look to spend £25 on each of the adults and then maybe £350 on your daughter.

This leaves you with over £200 to go into savings - making next Christmas even easier for you [/quote]
The ops definition of skint and mine must be worlds apart. I spend about £100-150 on my DC's presents and I think that's quite generous....£500 if you're struggling is quite ridiculous

spitneybrears · 30/11/2021 18:33

As someone who always felt indulged as a child, and tries to indulge my children, I think £500 on a 10 year old is unnecessary. I'd have thought you could give her a fabulous pile for more like £300? Leave £200 for yourself/your family, and don't use the £150! Obviously you've saved hard and it's totally your choice but it just seems it could go further.

GreenLunchBox · 30/11/2021 18:37

I'm not skint and don't have to save up for Christmas, but definitely won't be spending £500 on one child.

Helpstopthepain · 30/11/2021 18:41

What does your dd want for Christmas?

I think you could do the lot for less. Even if you have £50 left stick it in a savings account for next year.

Stop trying to keep up with your siblings, I bet they would be sad if they knew.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 30/11/2021 18:41

Don’t get skint trying to keep up with people op on one day

Helpstopthepain · 30/11/2021 18:43

@Beachbreak2411

Thank you (most) for being kind. My dd goes to school with extremely wealthy families and my brothers are extremely wealthy and spend a huge amount on their kids (£1000) and a big amount on her.
Ds is being spoilt this year but it still comes in at under £300. I thought I was being extravagant! We are a two parent family and ok for money. Maybe I’m being mean?
user1493494961 · 30/11/2021 18:46

£500 is a ridiculous amount to spend if you're scrimping to make ends meet.

bluesky45 · 30/11/2021 18:56

Suggest no adult presents to save there. Don't spend £500 on a 10 year old, that's loads! My kids get £100 of presents each. Since you say you don't have many other people buying for her, maybe spend a little more but probably no more than £200 should be sufficient. Then save the rest! So that you are more comfortable next year since you say this year has been a struggle to save for Christmas

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