Don't hate me. I need your help. How much do you buy for a 9 year old for christmas without going OTT or looking like scrooge?

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

I have gone OTT for the last few years and I looked at how little my neighbours child had last year and was shocked as he only had 5 presents, is this right?. I know that christmas isn't all about presents but is there an amount that is just right? I never intend on spending alot but it always looks like soo much. I'm going to give myself a limit of something. ARGH!

[filz]

u ppl and ur kidz

[Blu]

I bought DS a wooden xylophone for his 'main present' when he was 6m. He LOVED it, and didn't show interest in another thing until May...that's how my head felt, anyway.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

That's cool! (for him, not for you) I want to get ds an etch a sketch. This will keep him quiet. Maybe.

[Blu]

Etch-a-sketch v good!

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

Does it keep them off the laptop quiet busy?

[filz]

i am buying my 9 yr old dd this for her birthday

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

Ohh, I used to play with one of those at nursery. They were fab!!

[bella29]

We're cuting back this year as last year I went totally OTT and most of it didn't even get looked at.

I reckon one biggish pres that they really want plus a good stocking is adequate, especially once in laws etc add theirs.

[Ivvvvyygootscaaared444]

Last year I had X amont to spend on two children - 9 and 15, so I split the amont and went and brought presents that I thought they would like.

I also got all their stocking presents - from asda, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel (asda is much cheaper than body shop) so lots of little presents to open that are practicle aswell.

X amont was the money that I had in my hand - this was not on credit. So come january I didn't have any terrible debt from christmas, and the children were treated equaly. The amont is not important the going and choicing presents that they would like and enjoy is the important part to me of christmas shopping.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

I bought a wii for me ds last year by collecting christmas money from Grandparents and ds's dad. He cried when he opened it. I would never pay for it as a present from just me though, it's way too expensive. I did buy Hogwarts (lego) a few years ago, it is one of the most expensive things I have ever got for him. I spent 3 days putting it together and it took 3 minutes to fall apart. I was so pissed off and have refused to buy him any lego this big since. It's in bits all over the house. I think it's only been rebuilt once. What a waste.

[filz]

we bought a wii this year so the children are getting £20 each and thats it

[LJWinN10]

Last year my DD and DD got a ski trip for new years'(tickets in the stockings) and ski kit (big boxes under the tree). That's it. It was the MOST expensive xmas ever.

I decided they didn't need stuff, they needed experiences. And preferably shared experiences. They will not remember all the littls bits of tat (and the cry's of 'oh no pyjamas!')I get every year at xmas, but they will always remember our first ski trip. It was fabulous, expensive and worth every penny.

This year, it's going to be very different. I'm an estate agent and have made no money.

I suppose the moral is: I'm glad I spent the money on something worthwhile when I could, and I'm glad this year is going to be frugal. A good lesson for them.

But little children need toys, and stuff. No point beating yourself up about pleasure in giving gifts, your children will learn from that too.

[roisin]

I want to cut down this year. We always get tons of stuff for the boys and they have heaps of presents: but mostly it's things we've bought through the year but not given them - clothes, books, etc. Plus a main prezzie and some stocking-filler nonsense.

They are 9 and 11 now, so I guess are old enough to understand and have a simpler Christmas....

I'm still not convinced though!

We got a Wii a month or so ago, so could get some stuff to go with that? I'm thinking of getting ds1 (11) an ipod as he's joined a choir and isn't familiar with the music (popular) that they sing. I'm pretty clueless wrt to ds2 (9) and if I ask him for suggestions he just comes up with junk from the Argos catalogue (loop-the-loop car tracks and so on).

[Eniddo]

I want to buy dd1 (9) tickets to the Open Show jumping champs at the NEC in april

but dh thinks not a v good present

[Eniddo]

filz...are you...you know

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

I'm edging away from thigs like slime making kits, they'll make them once then that's it beause there will be no ingredients left.

What about a cooking kit? Boys like cooking. If ds doesn't go and clean his bedroom he'll be having a dyson for christmas!!!!

[barnsleybelle]

We spend a fortune at christmas. It's our money and we will spend it however we like thank you.
Same should be said for all, spend your money on what you want.

[filz]

yes

[Blu]

7 yo DS has just discovered that it is us, not santa, who provides the presents. He immediately said he didn't want a big sackful - and has now said he doesn't really need anything for Christmas because he has had so many presents this year already! (he has been in hospital a lot - and has indeed had many many v generous gifts).

Of course he will have a reasonable selection of presents, but he is becomong v critical of mass marketing on TV and knows it is all crap.

[Blu]

barnesley - that's fine, of course.

being shocked at people spending less (which is what provoked the discussion on this thread) is less so.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

Ohh, what a sweetie! I've told ds that the parents have to send s the money if children ask for expensive things so this has worked really well so far.

[barnsleybelle]

My dcs are of the age where they think father christmas brings everything, so they are innocent to the money aspect. I make them fully aware of the value of money during the year.
For now... they will enjoy that innocent magic, and so will dh and i.
I believe people should be free to spend what they can afford.
We had very little as children but i know my parents gave us the most magical wonderful christmas's filled with happy memories.

[bellavita]

DS2 (9) has asked for a bmx bike (he does need a new bike), an I-Pod and a DS Lite - he will get all these plus some new games for the Wii and for the DS Lite, books, dvds, some colouring pens and book, a couple of selection boxes.

Neither of my children get much throughout the year.

[Buda]

We are struggling for ideas for DS (7) this year. He has so much already. We have a PS2 that is officially DH's, we have a family Wii and he has a Nintendo DS. Has a bike. Has a scooter.

He wants the Guinness Book of Records and Fifa 09 on DS. Am struggling for any other ideas.

Will get stocking fillers and some football stuff.

In answer to the OP I think it is personal for everyone. One person's idea of OTT is another's OK or even another's scrooge as I discovered one year with my sis. I felt ill watching her 2 open their presents. We had held back on DS as we had all discussed it and said we wouldn't go mad. Her idea of mad was different to mine!

[morningpaper]

I think my children are really spoilt but when I read this sort of thread they sound like Huckleberry Finn

They have maybe 5 presents each from us plus a stocking containing pants and toothbrush etc.

Surely your children have ENOUGH toys? How do you find NEW STUFF every year if you are spending £100 plus? And where on earth do you KEEP it all?