How much do you spend on your kids for christmas

[Laureli]

we have 2 / 6yr and 9yrs

starting from our next paycheck till November paycheck me and my partner are putting away 50£ each, every month - this should give us 350 for each child

My kids are little so they aren't asking for big ticket items. For example last year my son asked santa for a torch, and this was the thing he was most excited about on Christmas morning.
The kids both have end of year birthdays and I find we all get overwhelmed by gifts throughout December. So after a couple of years of going over board, last year we definitely cut back (plus CoL increase). I think last year we budgeted £100 per child but for my youngest (1yo) it ended up being less. I'd managed to find a great quality second hand toy kitchen, as the main gift, for just £25 so that saved a lot compared to buying new.
This year I'm planning on doing the same. Budgeting for £100 each but from the summer onwards I will be looking to see what I can find second hand/pre-loved. After a good clean, the kids can't tell the difference. This covers a big santa gift, stocking fillers and a couple of presents from us.

I think £150-£200. I often get good quality second hand things for stocking fillers from the local second hand toy sale or charity shops.

Clearly the OP cares, because she posted the question. I presume you realise you weren't obligated to respond?

Usually loads but I think this year will be different.

But why care what other people spend on their kids? It's not a frigging competition. You spend what you can afford and what you think is appropriate.

Some people need to get a life.

It changes every year. I have 2 DC. I buy or put money away as I have 15 neices and nephews 10 of them I give €20 each my god children I give €50 each the rest I buy them presents. I have the money put away and have finished my neices and nephews.

I've started to buy stuff for my Ds 12
Gaming chair was €177 paid €87
Gaming headset and controller was €60 paid €40
He loves to collect pins so bought 3 from AliExpress €4
Got him a mouse for his laptop to have as a spare was €18 paid €5
He's mad into coding so going to get him a year subscription from codekings it's €125
For stockings I just do sweets will get him a wash set too. That's him done really.

My DD is mad for a Nintendo switch, I was very lucky and got given a brand new one. Just bought accessories to go with it and games. Also got her a gaming chair second hand €15. Have also bought her a few other bits to open. I love Christmas 🎄

We usually spend probably a maximum of £65 on our eldest children and less (£30-40?) on the younger ones.

Fortunate to have family who also buy them something, but I've tried to keep things fairly simple as we live in a small house and I find the expectations increase the more they get!

We definitely buy as much second hand as we can and usually the main gift new but not always. Also from a green perspective I don't like buying something for the sake of it, prefer something that I've had time to think through about whether they will like and use it.

I always think of that quote about "when you throw something away, there's no such thing as 'away'" that changed my spending habits to be honest.

Dts are a bit older now so last year it was the apple EarPods and tickets to a show they've wanted to go to for ages plus a stocking.

We could afford to spend more but don't that's more than enough. This year they want ££££ skincare stuff so will probably give them £150 and they can go shopping.

Generally it averages a few hundred quid between birthday and Christmas. I start bargain hunting around June/July when Christmas themed things (books etc) are at their cheapest. And then camelcamelcamel things I spot that I think he'll enjoy. PJ's and Christmas eve box stuff, Santa visit are booked as early as possible to spread the cost.

About £100 each (aged 5 and 3). This includes a present from us, present from sibling, a book and stocking fillers.

Thank you for clarifying! I’d never heard of them before. So essentially it’s a kind of interactive advent calendar idea for the run up to Christmas? I think that’s a lovely idea to help build the excitement.

Around £500 each, can be less and can be more depending on what they get. Eldest is in his last year of primary so he had a computer this year, ready for secondary... I didn't tally his up, I couldn't bring myself too... ignorance is bliss as they say. All I know and they matters is they were happy with what they did get.

£100ish on the toddler, bit more on the 5YO. Don’t really stick to a budget but I don’t want to throw too much at them at once knowing it will overwhelm and won’t all get played with.

DD will be nearly 2 and budget is
Advent calendar (we have one where we fill the bags ourselves) £24.
Stocking £50.
Main presents £100.
I already have half of her main presents and just over half of her stocking presents.

We don’t budget, we try and pick things up through the year to manage costs.

They get to choose 2 things for their Santa list, 1/2 things from us and they can list back up gifts if Santa can’t get them their first choice. We always get them everything on their Santa list (2items) as long as it’s realistic. They have always been told Santa tries to get everyone what they want but sometimes he can’t and has to get them something different. There is also the parent and Santa meeting we have where Santa checks we are happy for him to give them what they ask for, example mum and dad told Santa he is not allowed to get them an iPhone!

We also don’t spend the same on each child. We keep quantity’s as close as possible.

I should add, they always get way more than they ask for, we limit what they ask for so we can always get their main wants.

About £200-£400 each. Depending on needs/wants. Youngest wanted iPad once. Couldn't just get her that so had to buy other things too

Toddlers probably £100
4-9 £200
10+ too much

Going by last Christmas... Youngest age 3 had approx £250ish spent this included new trainers and a set of clothes.

Oldest is 14 and had £750ish. A lot but he looks after clothes, trainers etc and now he tends to stay in one size for a while his clothing lasts well.

Both also get new pj's, advent calendar etc beginning of December and both get to choose two trips out in December.

Usually I save all year but this year start saving end of July due to our holiday abroad.

Probably about 100-150 per child. Last year I tried to shop based sorta on quantity ie. No more than 10 presents which helped me focus on what I spending more mindfully as well and avoid getting last minute panic buys x

£100 - although they do get additional gifts throughout the year (eg: for good school report, holiday spending money etc). We have a fairly big extended family so they are certainly not short of gifts at Christmas.

I don't set a budget per child anymore. I have multiple children and by Christmas they will range from 3 to 14, so if so tried a £100 limit I'd get lots for my toddler, but not much at all for my teen. So I keep to the same number of gifts, but spend differently.

It varies depending on what's needed. Last year me and my ex went halves on £800 worth of ipad, pen and keyboard for 10yo DD. Then I probably added another £200 on other items.
This year she's having a phone, (older iPhone) so will be much less.
I don't have an upper or lower limit. Just what feels appropriate at the time.

Too much! Every year I say I’ll try and cut back but end up spending a similar amount. It’s difficult as they get older and items get more expensive.
younger one will benefit from a bigger bike this year and the eldest could do with a new laptop

I always confused how people define xmas some people count everything, some only count xmas day but:

approx budget:

£5 St. Nick day (usually a xmas jumper bought in the sale)
£12 Xmas eve box (PJs, book, hot chocolate, toothbrush, snack)
£50 gifts from us under the tree
£10 gifts from Santa
£50 gifts delivered by Santa Sleigh Delivery Service
£10 stocking (sweets and a few novelties)
£5 12 days (usually just a tin of biscuits)

so I guess about £140 all in but St. Nick, Xmas eve and 12 days are separate events to me. That's per child so x3 (£420 over all).

I'm not including pantomime or meals out and stuff like that as I think those are completely separate things not gifts.