How much to spend on your kids Xmas presents

[Kissesandcakes23]

I know this is probably asked every year but I am wondering what people's plans are now with the cost of living crisis.

Last year I went overboard and I really don't want to do that but I also don't want to be stingy. I know my kids aged 4 and 7 will be happy no matter what but the mum guilt of giving them likely less this year is hard to accept.

whatever you can comfortably afford, but also what will make your kids happy (within reason!). My 5 year old has asked for bath bombs, a little fluffy journal to do her drawings, a Barbie and a bracelet making set. I’m not going to go OTT buying her loads of expensive stuff when I know for a fact she just wants simple things that she’s actually interested in and will use.

I’ll probably end up spending £150-£200 per child, factoring in some little bits in a stocking, a book, decent PJs and maybe a small Lego set or something.

As much as you want to as long as you can afford it, not worth getting into debt for 1 day when most of the magic of christmas for yoing children isnt the presents.

There is pressure on social media and people always say theyll be upset their mates got more than them, but by Jan when they go back to school most have forgotten most of what they got/dont mention it.

DS used to write a list and order in the amount he wanted it, so would try and get the top present and then small bits from us as well.

It depends entirely on what they ask for. Over the years we’ve had requests for various things from expensive laptops and musical instruments to really cheap things like Pringles or a harmonica.
Controversially I don’t spend the same on each child but it evens out over the years.

Quite a few years ago I stopped buying the random stocking filler type presents and bought fewer better quality/more desirable gifts. It’s worked very well.

My main struggle is one of my DC who from being about 13 has eschewed pretty much anything new except pants and socks, he prefers to live a very minimalist lifestyle. He is really, really hard to buy for, even experiences can be hard to give him as he would rather volunteer at a festival for free than have a ticket bought for him.