Doesn't look much

[DeeDees1]

I had set myself a budget of £250 for the eldest but realising that for DD 15 that doesn't go very far.

Iets frans joggers £50
Adanola hoodie £60
New balance trainers £80
Miss Dior £50

Those with similar age girls, how much have you spent and does it not look much as well?

DD knows the price of most things so will understand but keep thinking maybe I need to forget about budgets now she is older or just go for cheaper things?

They sound great and like gifts she will appreciate (and appreciate the value of). Does she have a sibling with a bigger pile? If so i would explain in advance of the day that you had the same budget for all children but that translates into different present piles. Id also buy some bits to pad hers out a bit - socks, hot chocolate bombe, set of pens, book etc.

Sounds wonderful

I’d get some fluffy socks / hot water bottle, lip balm / anything from Sephora, stationery, books and snacks. Not all those things obviously as you’ve spent loads, just some little thoughtful bits.

I have a budget of £150 for each of mine. IMO once they’re old enough to want branded/specific items they’re old enough to understand that these things cost more and they’re not going to get as much. I try to keep it to around £120 on their main presents and then spend another £30 on little bits in their stockings but this can vary depending on what they want.

I meant to say I wouldn’t go for cheaper things to get more, she will appreciate the few things she really wants far more than a big pile of things she’s not so fussed about

Maybe do her a stocking with cheap stocking fillers. I find it hard giving my niece and nephews gift cards doesn’t look much but they cost a lot for all of them

I’d buy a few cheap wrap ups but useful things, quick trip to primark for things like:

Scarf
gloves
satin scrunchies (I actually got these in home bargains)
hairbrush
Heatless roller
knickers with cute design (primark do 5 packs for £4)
fluffy socks
socks for over leggings
daise shower gel/body scrub (boots have had these on their Tuesday offers)
beauty blenders (I got my DD a cute jar of mini ones from flying tiger for £4)
padded headband to use whilst doing skincare

Primark also have co-ords in at the moment for £6 each for top and bottoms that are going viral.

The thing is (and I am not criticising - I realise everyone is trying to help), everyone is saying "I would just get....." then adding a list of things that would cost about £50 in total.

OP only has £10 left from her original budget. Realistically, she can't buy more than 2-3 small items at most with £10.

Or, she goes over budget. Which is her original question I guess.

You shouldn’t go over budget. These are the things that she wants. You say yourself she understands the cost of things, so what’s the problem?
How much does it need to be before you think like it ‘looks like’ enough, who is judging that?
£10 remaining gets some chocolate and favourite shower gel, then leave it. No need to get unwanted extra stuff.

I used to do as pp suggested. Maybe 4-5 gifts then do I stocking filled with cheap stuff like shower gel, socks, etc. Girls are much easier to buy cheaper bits and bobs for then boys I find. You can fill a small stocking with things from primark or b&m.

Our daughter is 16 and we do spend more.

They are old enough to realise how much things cost though so I’m sure she’ll be very happy with what she has.

16 year old daughter is getting:
Arsenal third shirt £80 might be £82 or £85
Fake Arsenal scarf £12
Aussie curly hair set £10
Gymshark leggings on sale £20
I've ordered a fake other football shirt but it's coming from China so I may not arrive in time £12
A year's data for her phone (we only ever let her use data on A WiFi before now for the cost and to keep her off her phone but she's a bit old for that now) £45 ( give it take £5 my partner bought this)

Stocking because she still has an 8 year old sibling:
Traitors book and fiction book £10
Crew socks £12
Fake sellotape, ball of string, bar of chocolate £1 just over
Murder mystery pack £13
2 claw clips £2
Hair mask £7
Hair oil £4

From Aunt, Uncle and Grandma (they've asked what she wants):
Converse
Secondhand set of shelves

From her 13 year old sister (I've seen):
A set of fairy lights you can put photos on

I have probably missed something out but it won't be massive. She's had a bit less spent on her than her siblings but got a Chromebook for her 16th so did more okay than usual then.

Sounds like your daughter is getting exactly what she will like. I don't think the cost matters in that case.

I get where you are coming from because it’s a how long is a piece of string kind of question but the OP does imply that going over her budget a little is an option.

I would avoid tarnishing the good stuff with landfill trash from Primark etc OP. You’ve got a really good pile there. Maybe add in a book or dressing gown.

If you look on the referral thread you can get £10 code for a 12 day face mask calendar which is reduced to £9.99 if you add a lip balm for £2.50 it takes £10 off so a fairly cheap present, I think delivery is £3 or so. Hope this is helpful!

That seems like plenty to me? Four really nice items and no tat - quite grown up! In my family only the little kids get lots of bitty gifts.

Heelys £60
jordans £32 (vinted)
Charlotte tilbury set (£20 down from 36 with vouchers)
3 bra sets (£18 matalan)
heels (£8 vinted)
belly button rings (£2)
foreign sweet (£10 TikTok)
mini perfumes (£12)
2 tops in colours to match Jordan’s (£16 Black Friday)
top and skirt (£12)
Dress (£13 Black Friday)
chameleon game (£10)
uno (£8)
selection box (2.75)
dressing gown (DH chose and bought £50)

so total £278 but would be much more without Vinted/ voucher codes/ shopping around/ Black Friday.

Stocking with cheap things? And I mean cheap. Haribo, chocolate coins, chocolate orange, tangerine and a pair of fluffy socks or a novelty pen.

I think it’s enough. You could always add bulk by making a selection box from her favourite sweets, get some cosy socks from Primark & maybe a new scarf & gloves. Probably £10/15 all in for that.

On top of that I’d bulk it out with a book, a tub of haribo or selection box and maybe a cute soft pair of pjs that primark do.

It’s a very grown up and lovely present pile- and when you want branded bits, it doesn’t go far

Not trying to be a Scrooge- but if you want these sort of items, the present pile is going to look considerably smaller.

Plenty of working age adults can’t afford Miss Dior perfume and instead go for dupes, and buy their adanola secondhand on Vinted if they want to keep up with the trends. Even a gift from a partner might just be one of these nice items.

I think a 15 year old should be able to understand that.

I always do a food treat box. I will wrap up everything in the box as the kids love unwrapping stuff - (I actually use small striped sweet bags that you can get cheaply from Amazon to make it easier).

I put in a bag of their favourite crisps, mini bag of popcorn, a small bar of their favourite chocolate, packets of favourite sweets and chewing gum, mini packs of biscuits, small bags of olives and maybe a mini can of soft drink/juice/alcohol. So each child has a box that is specific to them.

It can be stuff that you’d already have at home or usually buy but wrapping it and putting it in a Christmas box makes it much nicer. And it only costs a few pounds!

Whats this obession with piles? It’s a terrible message of over consumption to give kids! Absolutely mad. I have a 15 DD and no real budget constraints but I won’t be spending £250!

I think teens understand that, as they get older, their presents are more expensive and therefore they get fewer items.

I wouldn’t feel any pressure to buy a whole bunch of “little things” just for the sake of it. It’s wasteful of your time and money and a bunch of it may not even get used if it’s not stuff she really wants.

Really hate the whole massive pile of presents culture. Especially for teens who aren’t of the “Santa’s been!” age any more . You’ve got her some lovely items, which she will get a lot of use out of. That’s perfect.

Sounds great! I wouldn’t buy cheap tat like suggested to make the pile bigger! Im sure she’ll appreciate everything youve gotten her. :)