Ok, how much have you spent on the kids?

[Kibble29]

And did you stay within your intended budget?

I just finished ordering the gifts for my (just turned) 3 year old and is came in at about £250. This was pretty much bang on what I intended, and this also includes the stocking and that bastard Christmas Eve box that I wish I never started.

Of course the amounts will vary wildly in the thread, I’m just curious really!

I don't want hundreds of pounds spending on me. I want to spend on my kids at Christmas

Too much, I haven't added it up but expect it is about £900 per DC, young adults. I'd thought about spending £500 ish on each but went a bit mad as usual. I have always overspent on my kids at Christmas, this year includes a new laptop (manufacturer outlet on Black Friday), one at uni, one just going.

Yes I do - single parent, I give myself the same budget as DC generally.

About 300 on gifts plus 200 each cash towards something they want (laptops/ trainers/haircuts probably). They're 17, 17 & 20.

We only spend a small amount. Ds's get £100 plus a few tiny bits. Dh and I can't even think of anything we want.

We didn't really set a budget this year. We've had some really skint years where we haven't been able to afford much but are a bit better off this year.

Spent about £200 each on them but the majority of that is on bikes.

I would love to only spend £50 but what do you get ? We have spent £250 each x 3 DC and doesn’t look like much but refuse to buy more as they don’t need anything “big” as they have stuff during the year.

I think I've spent around £300 for my DD11 and still need to get her vouchers. In fairness most of it I bought because I didn't know what to get her. She asked for a brush, pens, colouring book and a new iPad case. The piles much smaller as everything definitely more expensive as they get older xxx

Just under £60 on DS1, plus about £10 for his stocking (as if he’ll even notice or care at this age!)

About £800 each.

Not on toys they are teens so just stuff they need. Nothing fancy but it adds up.

Oh and 3 advents totalling about £75 each.

@GavlarShmavlar

don’t your kids buy you something? Or if they’re too young, your partner? Or your family? Or your friends? You deserve something nice too! 😀

that would be like $5000 -7500 for me.lol

@LuckySantangelo35 no, I get nothing. I'd much rather our money go on the kids. It's my birthday not long after Christmas and I'll get nothing for that either. It sounds rubbish but it isn't! If I need something, I get it myself! I'll have a brilliant Christmas morning watching the kids opening things.

@GavlarShmavlar

i get that if you need something you would just buy it yourself regardless of Christmas and birthdays, but what about if you just want something? 😊

£307 (£57 over budget this year) for our DD who is 7. We spend a similar amount on each other. This is the first year we’ve made a wretched Christmas eve box…

A lot of parents I know are happy to spend on their children and not on themselves, so I don’t know why you’re bothered on their behalf and hoping they’re spending on themselves if they aren’t bothered. When our children were little, it was all about them and we loved it.

@OneOfEachAnimal This.

I totally agree with this. For me, Christmas is about watching your child's face as they open that much hoped for gift. It's not about adults demanding piles of gifts!

Do adults need the same amount of money as children?

An adult doesn't outgrow bikes or scooters, other things like phones and headphones are probably bought when needed rather than being stocked up as Christmas ideas.

If you add it up, DHs gifts cost more than DDs. But... hrs got a tent and walking boots, stuff he needs. And decent ones last years... they will be used until they fall to bits.

Oh god no. I find it very hard to do that. I’d feel physically ill if I got an expensive present.

It's different for adults though. I have control of where I spend my money all year round. If I want something (within reason) I buy it. If DD wants something, it's my decision whether she gets it or not. She does get things from time to time but only a few quid in the charity shops and bits from Lidl whilst we're doing the food shop. Christmas is when she gets payback for all the "nos" she hears for the rest of the year.

I haven't spent hundreds (less than £100 per child) but why would I spend the same again on myself? I don't buy myself Christmas presents.

Just under £150 each for two primary aged DDs. I budget £100 for presents and then £25 for stockings so I'm a bit over this year but not too bad.

Hi, they are 10 and presents include - a block of riding lessons as DD has gone from strength to strength at her weekly riding for the disabled session and is now ready to have lessons at a more local riding school, a 3d printer, sewing machine, camp bestival tickets, arts and crafts stuff, nintendo switch oled each, books they've asked for, sensory stuff etc 😀