Older teens/young adults, do you spend less as they get older?

[Lovemusic82]

DC are 17 and 19, one at uni and when at SEN college (she’s mentally a lot younger). They haven’t really hinted at wanting anything. In past years I have been lucky enough to have saved all year and budgeted at around £1000 for everything (DC’s presents, family presents and food), this year my budget is a lot smaller but I will be cutting back on family gifts.

What do you buy your older teens? Just a couple gifts? Cash?

We always do a stocking and dc1 says that’s the best bit so i am thinking a couple gifts and a stocking?

Mine have just turned 16 and 18 respectively and we definitely spend more now than when they were younger but I’m sure that will change in the years to come, especially when they no longer living at home.

Just spend what you’re comfortable with and what works best for your family. I so wish mine were still little, especially at this time of year.

I miss them being little too, money went a lot further than it does on adult gifts. They both have everything they need so there’s nothing big they want/need, both have all the tech they need (eldest has iPad and laptop for uni), neither are that bothered about clothes or expensive shoes/trainers. Youngest has had Lego every year for as long as I can remember but doesn’t seem that interested this year. I will book to see some Christmas lights or some kind of event when dc1 is home from uni.

I seem to spend less every year as mine get older.
Dd 24 and partner have just bought a home,so I think a joint £20 B&Q voucher and a tin of m&s posh biscuits.
Oldest son in the army and working Christmas so may be I'll drive over to his base and buy him a lunch around the Christmas period. Tin of biscuits too!
Son 16 I'll do a stocking /protein powder and probably £50. May be a trip to see les mis as that's our favourite but he doesn't seem bothered when I ask.
I'm lucky mine don't ask for much.

My parents stopped buying me much when I turned 18, just buy me a £20 gift which is usually something I need or ask for.

DC1 is at uni and in a tiny space so there’s not really much I can buy her that won’t clutter up her room, I will probably fill a stocking with her favourite treats and a jelly cat teddy (she collects them) and then maybe give her cash unless she asks for anything, I’m sure that will be enough?

DC2 is harder as they are mentally a lot younger (autism, language delay) and they love opening presents, but I don’t want things cluttering up the house.

DD is 16 and I don't think I am cutting down. Amounts vary a lot, it really depends on what she is asking for and what she needs.

This year will most likely be a lower budget as she has all tech she needs. I haven't spoken to her yet but I think she is adding clothes to her list and I know she always asks for jewellery (costume/semi-precious pieces).

dh & I have been having discussions about this, I still spend the same on my younger dc (14 & 16) which is a lot more than when they were younger. Eldest dd will be 21 this Xmas, doesn’t live at home and has an amazing job earning more than dh & I, but I still find it really hard not spending as much. Last year dh was unhappy with the amount I got her and I agree I need to cut down but do find it difficult, I think I spend around 1/4-1/3 of what I do on her siblings, and will be less this year. I think she’ll get 3-4 gifts, a stocking and the obligatory sweets/chocs. I also buy for her partner but usually 1 gift and stocking/chocs.

I always thought I’d keep the same amount every year and split it a bit when they had a partner then split again once they had their own dc but it’s not worked out that way. Maybe I’ll lessen it as the years go on.

I think as teens/ young adults I would still be happy to spend more if it’s something they really want or need, ie new laptop.
If they have everything though and aren’t asking for anything in particular then just get them a few things you know they like?

For your son at home I imagine a stocking with usual things he likes, then a couple of things he likes he can unwrap.

Mine are 21 and 24
DS (24) likes cash which is fine by us .
I buy clothes ( loungewear/socks etc) for the Dec 1st Box (Yes , I know , I know but they need clothes and this is our family tradition)
DD clothes and beauty things .

Probably spend more but fewer things .

Need to avoid The Twitch

I probably spend more but get less! A bottle of aftershave, designer pants, socks and quality jumper seems to be about £300 now.

When mine were all teens there was a phase where presents got smaller (so less impressive looking) but cost more money. Like PlayStation games, for example. I'm cutting down now that they are mostly adults and working. I still do stockings filled with unusual sweets and spend around £100 on each of them on top of that. DD is only 16 so I spend more on her.
Christmas is so expensive though, I do need to keep it reeled in a bit!

Older teens/young adults, do you spend less as they get older?
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