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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

What do you get / how much do you spend on your young adult children?

13 replies

Twobigsapphires · 17/12/2023 06:29

When do you move from a big pile of presents to 1 or 2 gifts? Do you still give cash when they are earning their own money?

OP posts:

PermanentTemporary · 17/12/2023 06:42

Ds is 19. I'm now doing 2 or 3 main presents when it used to be 1, plus a stocking which is less substantial than it used to be.

I don't give money at Christmas though I have put a £10 voucher in the stocking. Thats partly because he has another relative who gives money, and partly because I give him money if he needs it atm.

whyamiawakestill · 17/12/2023 06:47

We are heading off on a trip as a family and both of mine are having that paid for plus some smaller gifts.

I'm 49 and my mum will still buy me a few items, say an expensive candle, some perfume and clothes, so I think I'll always buy them at least 3-4 gifts.

I'm still doing Santa stockings but ours are mostly shower gels, choccies and deodorants and stuff they use and we buy in a food shop, so not a great big spend.

LaSpuddle · 17/12/2023 06:57

Never did a big pile but my teenagers’ stockings are a lot more practical and not quite as stuffed as they were when they were younger. These will stop when they move out probably.

I’ve always done one or two presents plus usually a book and will probably continue with this throughout adulthood (obviously if they request cash then that’s their present)

Inyourwildestdreams · 17/12/2023 07:11

Mine stopped when I was 21. Every birthday and Christmas since then they’ve done £50 cash, socks and chocolate. Which is still very much appreciated 😊 but at the risk of sounding awful and ungrateful - I’d much rather a £5 gift with a little thought behind it.

FloweringNumbat · 17/12/2023 07:18

I don't think I will ever stop.
I've always bought them 8 to 10 presents, I'm 40 and my mum still buys me the same 8 to 10 presents.
Edited to add: My son is 18 and we have never done stockings.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 17/12/2023 07:40

There's no right answer to this - do whatever makes you happy/them happy and/or you can afford.

We also don't always save bigger items until Christmas - DC really needed a new larger item a few months back so got it then, accepting that it was essentially in part a very early Christmas gift.

Suctionplease · 17/12/2023 09:02

I think I will always do them. I love buying presents and now by DC are a bit older and know it's me buying I think they can appreciate how much thought goes into it.

EverySporkIsSacred · 17/12/2023 12:03

I usually spend about £75 on each (two adult DC) but this may be less or more depending on what we can afford.
Most years it's one large item and a few smaller bits including sweets. This year its more small items and sweets as they've both asked for (I offered first) monetary contributions towards things and that's what we've decided to do.
You never know how wildly different people's budgets are so go by what you want and can afford to do. * *

Ragwort · 17/12/2023 12:08

Never did a big pile of presents, it was one 'main' gift (approx £100) and a stocking .. the stocking gifts got more practical as he got older .. DS is 22 now and is travelling so no gifts at all this year and we have transferred £250 to him ...more than usual but want him to have a good time on his travels (& he is an only DC so don't have to budget for any more DC!).
My own DPs still give substantial cash gifts to us as adult DC ... mainly to redistribute their savings.

PartyFearsTwo · 17/12/2023 12:08

I'm giving alcohol, chocolate, decent coffee, toiletries (he loves the Boots Christmas sets),candles and incense and money. And socks.

He is in his 20s.

tadpolelove · 17/12/2023 12:14

I've always done a piles of present for mine. But now they are adults they do get less. Also ones married with a baby so she gets even less. Other two are still atm home but are both 21. Saying all that I've probs spent £250 each on them. But £250 combined with her husband and baby for the married dc.

growingonmyass · 17/12/2023 12:24

Good question - mine are in their 20's and still end up with a pile, I've still not made the transition to 1 or 2 presents! I'd like to though, it's ridiculous.

ChristmasIsComing2023 · 17/12/2023 21:08

My ds is only 2 but I don’t think I’ll ever only get him 1 or 2 Christmas presents 🤷‍♀️ My parents are getting 7 each plus a shared gift this year and dp is getting 18 plus a stocking 😅

My parents usually give me around 10 I think but they’re giving us money towards a holiday this year so I think I’m getting 3/4 which is fine and will be appreciated 🥰

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