I have spent £50 in total on my 4 children for xmas.........am pleased I'm in budget but worried the older ones will be disappointed.

[conniedescending]

Posted a while back for ideas about cheap xmas presents for my 4 (6,6, 2,1).....we had about £50 to spend and whilst I have never gone overboard in the past, I have always spent alot more....

anyway here's what they have got
pyjamas £12(primark)
colouring books/ sticker books £4
my little pony (girls) toy fire engine (boys)£5
hair slides, bobbles, slipper socks, £10
In the night garden beanies (pack spilt in half so 2 each)£6
bubble bath, bath crayons, rubber ducks £5
chocolate santa and coins £5
book each £4

so that cost me around £50

then off freecycle I got a bag of barbies and barbie clothes which I have put in a pink box for the girls, a huge crate of megablocks for the boys plus a massive stuffed lion for all of them to share which will look fab wrapped up with a big bow on.

does this sound ok???? I know the barbies and the megablocks are things they will like and play with but not necessaily what I would have bought had we the money. I've tried so hard to get bits n bobs they will like but with all the convos at school about playmobil circus, fur reals and ds lites I've got a bit paranoid that it's a bit rubbish!

I'd say well done I've spent about £41 on ds1 and £33 on ds2, including santa and their gifts to each other. It s so much money, but it looks so little now I've put it all ready to wrap. But I know its things they'll love.

yes, thats the thinng i was thinking today. I have been colecting 'bits' most of the yr if i see anything really bargainous. Yet, still for the money you spend, if never looks like much does it.

well i anm thinking that the 50p whoopee cushion is going to get the most attention xmas day!!!

i must try freecycle more, i am in quite rural location and our nearest never seems to have anything of any use!!

Well done you. Hope you all have a fab day!

Thats sounds fab, i too have been watching the pennies this year. we are not in debt thankfully but,with a new baby due in april have decided to cut back as usually we go nuts! i think its more about us feeling good than what the kids actually want!

I got a lot of sale 3 for 2 toys from great universal cat,they are doing a good deal plus i got £30 off code (only works if total is at least £60) as well for opening an account and being a new customer!! brill

I got
Hannah montana dvd game
Hannah montana board game
Gloe teddy & accesories
HSM gabriella doll
Digi camera thingy?
Crayola lumni draw

total was £74 but with the 3for2s and the £30 off plus free delivery total i paid is
a fantastic £22.85!!!!!!! over the moon!

sounds great..i think our kids enjoy the opening and the whole excitement, not much goodwill christmas cheer will be around if your worrying about paying for things in january....good on you for being sensible and for making so much effort to ensure that your family have a great christmas

I managed to pick up a couple of superb bargains from our local charity shop, a power ranger costume and helmet for £1.50, have washed it and is as good as new..we would never have paid the £17.99 they are in the shops..and ds1 is going to be over the moon. Also managed to bag a huge bag of megablocks, crane and diggers etc, brand spanking new for £4!!! Ds2 is going to be in heaven..xxxx

thanks so much for the offer piratecat, really appreciate that - but do see if anyone else needs it more than us ..........my tinies have all the older ones baby stuff to play with as well so they are certainly not short of toys.

ok, will do. no prob if your youngest already have the older ones' early toys.

Sounds brilliant! My mum always gives us a stocking full of little bits for Christmas - total cost about £10, but filled with stuff like pens, pencils, embroidery kit, jewellery, socks, scarf, diary etc.

I think presents like that are much better than big expensive gadgets that often don't get played with.

It all sounds great connied. No point in buying loads and then having that sick sinking feeling in your stomach whenever you think of it and dreading January.

Conniedescending, I remember clearly being very angry with my Mum for being in debit after Christmas when I was young. She is still a person that spends money (that she doesn't have)to buy love. It all to do with her past. Spend time on kids is the best (not watching Crossroads oh!that my Mum again) make biscuits, going on long walks with packed lunch and crumpets and tea when you get in.

What you have got them sounds absolutely fine and are things they will love and/or get lots of play out of. Far better than getting the latest craze advertised on tv which they tire of after 5 minutes...

My two would be thrilled with that. Can you top it off with a trip to a carol service as a special treat? Thats what they will remember in years to come.