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!

[foothesnoo]

I agree with MP. I am struggling to think of things to get my DD this year which probably means...she has all she needs and more. My kids get one or two main presents (eg if DS had smething like a ds lite dd may have a couple of things of equivalent-ish value) some books and a stocking (stocking presents range from CDs to bits of tat!)

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

£100 doesn't go far. We looked on the Hamleys web site (just for ideas, too expensive) and by the time he'd picked the Lego he'd only had enough left for 6 things. I think he has too much already, the gradparents tend to spoil him and I am runing out of ideas of what to get him. I'd rather get things he can play with again and again rather than once or twice because he's used all the parts up. Things like this just gather dust.

[morningpaper]

lol

You can't say "£100 doesn't go far"

AND

"I am runing out of ideas of what to get him"

AND

"Things like this just gather dust."

What you mean is "£100 has bought him everything he could possible want in the market" which seems like madness to me. What's the point? Why not just spend £20? Why is there this guilty obgliation to spoil our children rotten?

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

Ah, I also said the gradparents spoil him. Lego (one box) uses up half of his money. I don't see this as spoiling him, indulging his obsession yes though.

[bellavita]

My boys though only receive presents from my parents and my db/sil and us, so actually, they really do not come down on xmas morning to a big pile.

[roisin]

We are having a big clear-out in the playroom for half term. I am loathe to go out and spend hard-earned cash on more junk to gather dust!

They both need some new clothes, but are not yet of an age where they appreciate clothes as a present

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

I don't like big piles. I've been making it smaller every year (partly because I think he's got enough, partly because things get more expensive and smaller as they get older) but I look at it when Santa's been and I feel so sad for all the little ones who don't get anything. I'm not sure if I've made a bed for myself, I don't think I buy much but when it's under the tree with other people's gifts for him I feel sad. I really hate christmas. Too much emphasis on spending, the encouragement for people to get into debt. This isn't fun. It's meaningless to me.

I think going away is a lovely idea. Something that he will always remember. I'd like to go somewhere with snow, lots and lots of snow so he can build a snowman as we don't get enough snow where we live.

[aGalChangedHerName]

I never struggle when the dc are little to buy for them. They are happy with anything i have found.

It is when they are older that it gets difficult.

For those of you who don't want (not can't) to spend lots of money at xmas time,what about when your dc want an ipod or xbox or whatever gadgets are around by then?

IME that's what teens/pre-teens want for xmas. We have been lucky in that we have been able to buy them. Would you not buy these sorts of gifts for older children?

[JustFor2ShoesFor1NightOnly]

IMO, children much prefer the build up to the actual present anyway.
Come feb every year I throw away a ton of stuff (I don't even open half the crap they get from their Dad's family = guilt trip presents for not seeing them all year).
The Wii has now been changed. I was going to get them it but today they told me what they want. DS wants a remote control ambulance (where will I find that??) DD wants an art set. Simple.
I'd prefer to spend time with them rather than money. Mine always enjoy doing brussels and decorating the tree or playing games than actually using the presents they have opened.

*btw am not the 'real' 2shoes

[TeenyTinyTorya]

I don't spend a lot, I don't like the whole consumerism thing connected with Christmas. As a family, we don't equate money with happiness, and the amount of presents or the amount of money spent is irrelevant. I'm doing my Christmas shopping in charity shops this year, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have spent a grand total of about £10 on ds. He will have a pirate ship (passed on from a friend), some toy cars, and a pop up book. He's 18mths and has a birthday in March, so for us, that's quite enough. I agree with apostrophe - there's too much stuff in the house anyway!

To aGal - not a huge fan of gadgets, but if I had to, I'd buy second hand off Ebay or encourage saving for the big things they wanted. I used to love the presents my mum got me - a bag filled with all kinds of "bits" like clothes, embroidery kits, stationery stuff etc. More fun I thought than a big expensive present.

[aGalChangedHerName]

I am not a huge fan of gadgets either but the dc are unfortunatly. They want to do things with their mates,be online etc.

I am wary of buying electronic stuff from ebay tbh. I could get it cheaper but have no guarantee?

Mine don't really get money through the year so saving up would take a very long time.

[MinkyBorage]

spendiong sghit loads on your children is pointless, spoils them, and yes, I'm going to say it.........CHAVVY!!!

[MinkyBorage]

spending shit loads is what I meant to say

[Podrick]

It is a bit sad when kids spend all day just unwrapping the present mountain - it starts to become a bit of a chore, especially for the younger ones!

If they get fewer presents there is more time to actually play!

[Eniddo]

if I buy show jumping tickets for dd1 it will cost a lot more than £100

[aGalChangedHerName]

My DC are not spoiled Minky nor are we chavvy. But thanks for that....

They also don't have a mountain of presents.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Eniddo you are chavvy too then hh?

[MinkyBorage]

OK, show jumping tickets are exempted from my chav theory, they sound like a fun and worthwhile present which isn't all about consumerism and spending for the sake of it!

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

Define shitloads.

[MinkyBorage]

didn't think you/they were aGalChangedHerName

[MinkyBorage]

wot the troll sed is shit loads

[aGalChangedHerName]

So who decides what is chavvy or not??

My dc wouldn't thank you for show jumping tickets.

However my ds1 really appreciates the course of driving lessons he got as an early xmas present/birthday present. Cost shiiiit loads of money. Very worthwhile and also enjoyable for him.

Is that also exempt in your world then?

[Eniddo]

phew

[MinkyBorage]

and I should have clarified that shit loads of presents combined with txt spk is wots really chavvy.

I reckon that 5 presents is plenty, my dc are a lot smaller than 9, but had serious present fatigue last year after I went ott. Think this year we'll get them a bigish present (£50?) plus some stocking stuffers