What are you getting the kids? Everything included

[purplespink]

Just thinking about everything I need to get this year and it adds up so fast! Things like pyjamas (they need new ones anyway), advent calendars, stocking fillers, presents etc! In my brain I have X to spend on each child but then I remember that X has to include lots of things and suddenly it doesn’t seem to go as far anymore. What is your list of stuff to get them, from the tiniest things to the biggest? It’d really help me as I have a young baby and can’t think properly right now! Thank you ☺️

How old are your children?

8,6 and baby☺️

I've always tried to avoid buying into all the extra add ons. We don't do new pajamas or Christmas eve boxes and put up the same Christmas decorations, usually adfing whatever creations they've made this year.

I fill a cloth advent calender with chocolate coins (£5 for 2DC) and spent £15 on tickets to a light trail (early bird special) in the run up to Christmas. Will probably also take them ice skating between Xmas & new year (£5/person temporarily rink). We'll go to family for lunch but will probably spend £30 on wine/deserts to bring. Then it's just the actual presents.

Each child usually gets a bigger (apx £50) present, 6-8 smaller gifts (£5-20 depending what they want) and a stocking (£15-20, usually sweets and fidget toys)

Advent calendars, 1st December or Brrr box if you do them. Christmas bedding.

This year I'm going all out and doing themed days, so will be getting things to do with each theme for the run up to Christmas.

Christmas Eve Box: Pj's, treats, hot chocolate. I put the same santa snack plate/book/magic key/mugs in each year though need a Christmas themed cup for the baby this year.

Stocking every year has: underwear, socks, book or magazine, drink, snack, chocolate orange, chocolate coins, small toy or game. The purpose of their stocking here is to keep them busy while I wake up! It's probably their favourite and most memorable part of the day. I need a new one, plus a sack for the baby.

Presents and a card if you give them.

Cracker filling. I make my own so have to get things to put in them to cover a wide age range.

Crafts to do.

We dont do days out or paid activities, just the local town light turn on which has a free visit to Father Christmas so we don't spend on things like that. I'm sure I'll think of other things too!

We don’t do 1 Dec or Christmas Eve boxs. Also stocking are generally chocolate or what fits in there we’ve never made a big deal out of the stocking, in fact I wish I hadn’t started it.

Christmas PJs I try and get 2 years out of them then they are worn year round. They are given on 1 Dec with advent calendar. we’ve never had fully matching family ones just matching kids.

General pjs I usually buy last minute in any sales, these I use to fill out the pile.

Advent calander a choc one each. We introduced toy ones, again slight regret as we are now stuck doing 2 each which isn’t cheap.

My focus is the “must have” their main Christmas wish lists. Once these are done I’m safe to buy extras.

We don’t do set amounts, rather equal quantity, over time the amount spent tends to even up.

You haven’t said genders so here is a generic to do/buy list

4 Santa presents - 4 is an arbitrary number I picked years ago.
4 parent presents
stocking fillers - colouring books, crayons, pencils, hair brushes, hair accessories, selection box or tubes of sweets a novelty toy.
Extra bulk out gifts - PJs dressing gowns, oodies, cushions/pillows

At this age I would have manipulated the must have gifts to suit what eve I’d already bought in sales throughout the year.

id also try thinking ahead, use post Christmas sales for Christmas themed stuff, pjs, bedding, crackers decorations etc.. We have all new Christmas bedding this year, I bought each set for £1 off a clearance shelf in the range just before Easter.