How much to spend on each child.

[fl68]

We have 4 children two teens and and 8 and 12yr old.
I'd say we've always gone a bit overboard and I've explained this year that we will be cutting back (more the older ones), but can I just ask, how much do people generally spend per child for Xmas?

I wouldn’t get hung up on spending equal amounts per child - teens can be expensive, compared to younger dc.

We’re cutting back this year too. Fortunately there’s no big ticket tech items needed right now.

St nicks day is the feast of st nick on the 6th of december when kids put out their shoes and get chocolates etc...

12 days is the 12 days of xmas, like the song.

I spent about 200 on DD, prob more when she was younger. She's an adult now so I give her about 100 now.

My parents would spend about 300-400 each on me and my Dsis. But they could afford it.

£200 per child but we do a lot of stuff at Xmas too, lots of days and meals out

I have a 2 yr old and a six year old so their presents are still toys which I try and get as cheap as possible.

Their Xmas Eve boxs usually cost me £50 to do them both. Includes pjs, poppets, colouring in books, bath bombs, socks... That kinda jazz

Presents I don't know, I definitely try not to spend more than £100 each, I do start buying now though to spread the cost.

We have started doing something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you need for birthdays this year, this will be our first Christmas doing it though

They also get a stocking from Santa but it only has 1 toy they asked for in, wutha few other useful bits like new shoes

We save up for Xmas putting away ££ each month, but that's also for food etc
Days out.

We use that pot and buy what we can afford, one thing off a list and surprises.

But what we have in the pot is what we have.

About £650-£750 each max

When my two were younger, funds were tighter so our budget per child was £100 on the main present and £100 on their stocking/sack. Now they're older (age 22 &17) and funds are easier, the budget is nearer £1,500 per child.

They're both in full time education, we've never bought them things throughout the year, they get everything either at Christmas or their birthdays. Including clothes/shoes. When younger they'd have 2nd hand uniform for start of the school year but 1 x brand new set each in their sack at Christmas.

Whilst I started off with something to eat, drink, read, play & wear... I'd also add things like craft things to do throughout the year or bits for the Summer (beach towel, bucket & spade). Then when they finally moved out of our bedroom and had their own, they'd have accessories and bedding added in. Much of it bought in the sales throughout the year.

Now though with the ages they are and the prices of technology (mobiles/computers/cars/laptops/gaming/musical instruments/University supplies etc) yes the budget has increased somewhat but we're happy to work extra jobs to fund it.

500 quid each, some in presents and the remainder cash. I used to spend 200 each on stockings, but have reduced that to 100. They spend the cash wisely, on holidays or clothes that they need, so although it's a lot, it's stuff they need.

I've spent up to £140 per child because that's what I can afford this year., but I wouldn't have worried if I spent less. The Christmas threads have been great in helping get gifts cheaply so they have a good amount for the money. I've sold alot of my possessions to cover the costs.

We are spending £125 per child (13 and 11), that's what we can afford.

Our overall Xmas budget is £800 - about 15 family members to buy for plus tree, cards, drinks, but we're not hosting this year.

So the kids presents amount to 3/8 of the total budget - for context!

I have just added mine up and have spend spent just over 200 on DS and 400 on DD. 🙈They are only 7 and 9 so they will have no idea but I’m going to get ds a few more bits to be honest because I feel a bit bad. That should even it up then. I have attached pics just for context (I like things to look fair!)

I don't spend much at all because I can't afford it, but I also think it's easier to spend less with small children. Last year, DS was 3 and I only had a really tiny budget. It's been like that for a few years now. It can be hard not to feel a bit sad about it but I try to spin it into a fun challenge for myself- how good can I make it with a little budget.

The mumsnet bargains threads have been a lifesaver for me, I got so many good deals and DS had a full stocking and a couple of presents under the tree from us, plus other presents from family and friends. He was very happy with what he got- chocolate coins, stickers, a colouring book etc and I suppose I'm lucky that he's still at that age where he's not wanting anything pricey.

This year we're fortunate to be in a better position but I'm still spending cautiously- I don't think the fear of having no money ever properly goes away!

i do about £200 per child but this year ive also bought 2 switches so its more £600-£700 for 2 kids but normally 200- 300 each

It's meaningless to compare monetary values with strangers on the internet. People have completely different financial obligations and incomes.

Maybe this is more helpful - we spend roughly one month's worth of disposable income on Christmas presents for everyone. The kids get the lion's share of that. DH and I buy each other a couple of bits and for grandparents we usually do sentimental type gifts. There are lots of nieces and nephews who each get a tenner and a selection box.

A limit is the highest amount you are prepared to spend. If you budget say £200 but buy everything the person in question wants and/or needs for £150 that’s spending for the sake of it.

A limit is keeping yourself from overspending even if there are more things you want to buy but would leave finances tight or feel inappropriate even if you can afford it.

Tabitha Tittlemouse

🤦🏻‍♀️ Sorry that should read if you buy everything the person wants/needs for £150 but then continue spending just to reach the £200 limit that’s spending for the sake of it.

DD is 20 now and doesn’t live at home so I have only spent £75 on her. It would certainly have been more when she was younger except her first and maybe her 2nd Christmas as she was only 3.5 weeks for Christmas 1 and just turned one for Christmas 2.

Some people seem to spend what to me feels like a ludicrous amount of money, sometimes even on nursery and primary school age kids but I view money in perhaps a different way having lived hand to mouth at times. Even if I became very wealthy I think experience colours your world view.

Peoples budgets will vary considerably and yours will be based on your finances, priorities, values, kids ages, space to store it….

It is hard to judge I think because everyone has different budgets and values.

For us, we only buy DS (3) presents on his birthday or for Christmas. Originally, we put a rough price of about £150 but we have spent about £200. We could afford it though and haven’t had to put anything on store credit/credit cards etc.

All in, I think around £250 each. 2 kids. That's 15 gifts, a new Teddy on Christmas eve, and a stocking of 17 or 18 little bits.

I have 3 DC, spend about £400 each.

About £450 per DC this year, which seems a lot as I don’t feel they have that much. Teenagers, so small but expensive items.
My advice to my younger self would be to spend smaller amounts when they are little as it’s easy to make cheaper items look exciting. Save the money for when they are teens!
i don’t really remember much of what I received as a kid but I remember the excitement and happy atmosphere in the house. Small family traditions make Christmas.

When the kids were little I spent £100 - £150 ish.

now they are teens and want 3xpensive items (combined with prices of everything going up) that wouldn't even buy the main present (laptop, bike, iPad, air pods etc) however in a few years I'll go back down to a more reasonable amount once they've left home or are working!

Usually we spend £100ish on stocking, 1 Santa gift and 1-2 gifts off me and DH. Per child. This year we have bought one big ticket item to share off me and DH, which is a surprise so they still have their usual stockings and Santa gifts because, as far as they are concerned, that has absolutely nothing to do with mum and dad! So spend per child this year is approx £230. More than double our normal spend!!

I never understand the 'teenagers cost more' argument.

I spend the same on my baby as my teen, neither is a lot (£150 budget for all the xmas gifts through december) and its less then I spent when my oldest was young and I was learning to budget... hes not hard done by though at all, he has far more than he could ever need.

Like all the awkward adult buying posts people get harder to buy for as the get older because they already have everything they need... my DS has smart phone, games consoles, all the games he wants, smart watch, gaming PC and all accessories, hes done all the experiance days like driving lessons, helicopter fligh, monster truck ride etc... I just dont understand what he would want/need that would cost 'loads'.

Most those things where second hand bargains too (but great condition, people replace phones so quickly now) or bought in great sales so still not that expensive but hes completely on par with his friends (has more than some of them).