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!

About £350 each, for 4 and 6yos.

It’s more than I intended, but they both got scooters (which they’ve never had) and they were about £200 each. That amount includes some useful stuff (like shoes and swimming gear) as well as toys.

We can afford it and I want them to enjoy the excitement when they still believe in Santa and like playing with toys!

About £500 each, they only get something small for their birthdays and not much else throughout the year so we tend to go a bit mad at Christmas 🎄

Approx. £150 + £15 on stocking on one DC

Around 1/4 of this was paid for with gift cards, and a few things are off Vinted and eBay... BUT it's still more than I expected to spend for what there is. Mostly thanks to a sports-related hoodie that I could not get cheaper and 2 audiobooks on cd that cost £50 secondhand (!). There are still a couple of things I'd ideally get but as they are like gift cards I'll wait to see if any relative asks for ideas first before considering.
£100-130 total is what we usually spent the last few years, for age 8 onwards, but definitely used to get more items for that than now. I'm just glad DC isn't that into popular clothing or shoes (yet). We also haven't spent much/anything on festive kids activities like the theatre etc. because it's really expensive, I know some people go big on that rather than presents.

£50 each 4 and 8 year old

I spent maybe maybe £15.18 each if that helps 😁. It's not being frugal to be fair, they're 4 and under and I usually get 1-3 gifts for Christmas. Plus the older one has a birthday near Christmas so saved 2 presents from that and added 1 more. It might be different when older

It was £700 for 13 yr old DD but DH has just ordered a new kindle for her! She doesn't really get anything outside of bdays/Xmas apart from necessities (basic clothes/toiletries + books) so we do splash out for these 2 days.
We don't go into debt for it as put £100 per month aside for Xmas + bday presents.

How do people keep it so low for teens? You don't get anything for £100 these days

Forgot to say, that also includes clothes and event tickets , concert and Disney on ice.

Honestly your kid's 3, they aren't going to remember last years Christmas Eve box, you could ditch it and they'll never notice.

It will just get more of a hassle as they get bigger.

About £400 on DD. I daren't admit that in 'real life' as it seems everyone else I know with kids the same age are spending way less. This thread has made me feel a bit better now 🤣

Around £300 each for DD 11 and DS 8. That's more than usual as it includes bikes which they need as they've both shot up.

About £400 on the 16 year old, everything is so expensive and his jacket was £175. On the 10 year old about £280 and she has much more to open!

I don't really worry about the money being equal when there is a 5.5 year age gap. The 10 year old probably gets more throughout the year than the older one.

I usually spend 200 to 250 on each of my dc and I am just about on budget. I didn't spend as much when they were little, but they are adults and teens now and its more difficult as everything is so expensive.

That makes me feel so much better after reading the first few answers 😳 I spent just under £40 for my 4yo and the baby has a £20 toy, a full bag of hand me downs and will play with the wrapping papers 😅 I spent about £40 on my partner (deals from Black Friday, or it'd be closer to £100 and I'm on mat statutory pay, so bit tight these days).

We'll give £1000 to each of our three adult children plus small present to unwrap - usually perfume/aftershave. The grandchildren (6) get presents - £250 budget each. Other family members (6 or so) between £20-£50 each.

We then have two birthdays 1st and 4th January (grandson and daughter).

Around £150 each for my three DC who are 8 and 7. Eldest was a bit over, other two a bit under but they have very equal looking piles so the money matters less. They have a larger present, a few smaller ones and a stocking each and everything on their lists and at what I had budgeted for so all good!

RE the stopping of Christmas Eve boxes - I’d love to but he has two older stepbrothers and they get them, so my hands are somewhat tied on this one.

Scooters are £200 now? I'm sure ours cost about £40!

8,6 and 2. About £175 each for ‘main’ gifts from us and a stocking of small to medium presents. Original budget was £150 each so did go over but I expected to this year due to cost of living.

Spoilt them a bit this year but I’m really pleased with what I got. Made savings on prime day, Black Friday and using vinted/ebay.

Oh my God, this thread is making me feel so so so rubbish, I wish I never started reading it 😭😭😭

DD24 & DD22 : $3500 (AUD) each

DCat9 $300 (AUD)

About £500 on our nearly 15 year old. That includes a piece of jewellery. She’s an only child, husband and I are only children so she doesn’t get much else from others. One of my friends will get her a present , as will her grandpa and godmother. her grandmother has already given her some cash as she doesn’t do thought presents.

I don’t think we usually spend so much but I’m making an effort to spend more and know I am fortunate as our natural state is to have it in the bank. Her first Christmas we spent a tenner. In contrast I have palpitations if I have more than £30 spent in me by husband. I have issues obviously!

Please don't feel rubbish. We all buy to our means. I grew up without having food or clothes then when I was an adult we've had more than our fair share of skint years. Memories are made with love not with presents x

The cat says you must’ve missed a zero on their amount. 😼

About a grand. 1 DD17.

She's lush, and appreciates it.