What does everyone spend on kids

[Flower2025]

Hey, just out of curiosity what does everyone spend on their children at Christmas and what type of things do you tend to get?

Probably about £150 each all in for almost 6 and almost 3 year olds incuding advent and stockings? Littlest would be much cheaper but I got her a yoto mini on prime day so need some story cards from black friday. She's going to love it!

I buy year round to find the bargains. Ds actually is getting a giant rc monster truck I've had for 2 years now from santa because something urgent came up in recent years and I don't like to overdo it!

Totally depends on what she wants/ needs, no real budget. This year I already have a good condition Barbie camper van I bought in a charity shop for £4.50, a dressing gown and teddy from a Disney store sale think that was about £15 for both, and some duplo that was £17. I’ll probably buy a couple of Barbies as she doesn’t have any yet, a couple of tonies, some bath stuff from lush as she loves that, some books, pjs, maybe a trunki but I’ve seen those second hand for £14. Should end up £100-150ish in total.

Last year we got her a bed, a tonie box with starter pack, and some extra bits, was over £600.

I’ve spent about £600 on my 5 year old and £300 on my 1 year old. They both have micro scooters for their main present.

1 year old has had less spent on them as they don’t need much, they have all the toys we saved from my eldest and it’s not long been their birthday so they got new toys for their birthday. Also they don’t understand what’s happening.

Next year they will get an equal amount of presents but I probably won’t spend the same amount on each (I will do when they are older and understand about money).

Usually about £400 each but sometimes more if they are getting a ‘big’ present. DS got a new bike last year and DD got a laptop. They don’t get loads throughout the year and we don’t go into debt so don’t mind spending.

Same with us - our dc get presents from family and friends too so we don't need to overdo it. I'd say it ends up around 50 pounds.

Around £150 each to cover calendar, stocking and tree gifts usually.
DD2 needs a new bike this year however, so that will be £200 just for that (second hand Frog bike). We will sell on her current one shortly before Xmas though, so the new one should be fairly cost-neutral.

I've spent over £600 on my 4 year old this year. Didn't realise how much I'd spent until I'd added it all up he has around 22/23 presents including a bike.

Depends what they want/need. Last year the 2 older ones had iPads so it was an expensive year, this year they don’t want anything expensive so it’ll be a lot cheaper for them, but more expensive for my youngest who is getting a new Micro Scooter.

We won't spend over £100 on DS who is 7- have got the main thing he asked for and will buy some smaller bits, more than enough to have the excitement of Christmas. We do tend to just buy bikes and stuff like that throughout the year if he needs something though.

Approx £400 each but depends on what they need. Last year the eldest needed a laptop for her studies for that tripled the amount spent

If I told you I have 4 kids and spend £5k each but I am a multimillionaire . Or £50 quid or less but times are hard .
It doesn't really matter what people spend , everyone's situation is different .
I'd say spend what you like , hopefully getting them some lovely presents , but don't spend more than you can afford without having to pay off credit cards for the next 6 months . Happy Christmas !

It depends on what they would like or need. I like to treat them, but I really don't agree with buying piles of "stuff" just to make their piles looks bigger. They have generous wider family too, there is always a decent volume of stuff! I am lucky enough not to have a firm budget, but this works both ways, I don't feel the need to spend more just to get up to budget either!

Last year, teen, included a phone so more than average - maybe £350? 6yr old - maybe £150-200. I remember losing my nerve last minute and buying an extra Lego set, which was silly really (but appreciated!).This is not including Lego advent calendars and any family Christmas trips and treats.

This year it will be less I think because there is no "big" thing that either of them need or will want. And I'm mindful that they are so lucky anyway.

Usually it's £150 to £200 with the odd more expensive year when my ds wants a games console. It was less when they were younger though.

This year it needs to be a budget one due to a holiday coming up. It'll be £100 cash for ds15(he will put it towards a more expensive item) and dd10(first year of not believing) is having his old Xbox one, plus £40 spent on her. They are both happy with that though, as they have a holiday juat before Christmas. We are low income, so have to budget for everything.

DD is 12, it used to be about £125-150 when she was younger, but it’s crept up to a couple of hundred in recent years. I’m actually trying to reduce it this year as she has so much stuff - I’m trying not to buy lots of little bits like I normally do as she never uses it all!

DD1 (15) and DD2(3) £200 each, not including stocking fillers.

DS1 (10 months) about £50 as his birthday is February

Probably about £800 - 15 year old. I've spent £1200 previously and about 300 when she was little.

This year it's been about £250 each. I have saved all year to cover the cost. Mine are 13 and 26. Eldest prefers quality over quantity so she won't have as much to open as the youngest but they've had the same amount spent on them.

Wow @TheFormidableMrsC - you still spend £250 on a 26yo?

My mum just bought me token gifts after about 18 - I’d have been mortified if she’d splashed out that much on me as an adult.

I think lots still spend that much. My dad gave us all £300 for Christmas until we were 30.

I’m 39 and my dad still spends around that much on me. I don’t find it mortifying, he spends his money how he wants to spend his money! He’d be pissed off if I tried to dictate to him what he should spend his money.

4 children ranging in age from 24-4

24 year old - £300

14 year old - £300

6 year old £200

4 year old £200

4 x 1 st Dec boxes - £50 each new pjs, Xmas jumper each and bits

4 x stockings £75 each older 2 £50 each younger 2

it definitely gets more expensive, as they get older

Does he buy you multiple gifts or just one that costs £300?

I find the idea of people buying their adult offspring a stack of presents totally bizarre and materialistic. Christmas is for kids imo.

My DM does the same for me…she puts together a box of goodies like nice shampoos, body washes, candles, make up, pjs, and lovely bits and pieces that see me through the year, j absolutely love it. Christmas is not just for kids, it’s the season of giving for everyone.

Sometimes it’s a voucher for a really nice restaurant for me and DH, or vouchers for an airline so we can go away somewhere together. Last year he bought me a bike as I’d mentioned I wanted to go on bike rides with the kids. One year he bought me a really nice leather laptop bag for work. Never a pile of presents. However if it was, it would be because that’s what he wanted to buy, not because I had asked for a pile of gifts! He does what he wants with his own money.

Does she spend £250 though?

My mum couldn’t afford that in a million years, but even if she could, I’d be embarrassed to accept it.

You can show you care for someone with a small, thoughtful gift. I am actually shocked that adults expect this from their parents.