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Original poster

Do you think this is extravagant?

25 replies

cleoteacher · 14/11/2015 10:38

I ve not been very organised with Christmas this year and haven't managed to spread the cost over 4/5 months like I normally do. So I am going to have to try and spread it over 2 months instead.

We are ok money wise but I prefer not to get into debt over Xmas do try and stick to £30-£40 for people. To add to the financial pressure at this time of year, which makes me feel even sillier, we have several birthdays in nov/dec too. We have my sisters, my husbands, my mums and my sons all within a month of Xmas.

Anyway, I have a 9 month old and wasn't sure what to get her as she's dc2 so we have everything really. As a cheap alternative I decided to get clothes as she's due to get the next size anyway. I got carried away and spent £108!

I am thinking I should take some back as originally I was only going to spend £45/£50. This is way more, however I feel I would be buying them anyway as she will need them but that is stuff which will only last 3/4 months! I didn't go to all the really expensive shops some are from next and zara and others from h&m.

Was this too extravagant?

OP posts:
annandale · 14/11/2015 10:42

Yes. I'd take them all back tbh. For a second baby surely you have everything?? And wrapping up a forgotten toy would be fine for a baby's Christmas present.

It was only when I stopped thinking that some categories of spending 'didnt count' that I got a handle on money. You are already struggling. You need to avoid spending to manage anxiety.

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 14/11/2015 10:46

It's not extravagant in my opinion.

Your husband would be a better person to ask than a bunch of random internet people though, only you and him know your financial situation.

Original poster
cleoteacher · 14/11/2015 10:53

Dc1 is a boy and dc2 a girl so can't pass clothes down. Yes , can ask dh but he won't really care, he let's me deal with all the money and isn't bothered.

Yes , was going to wrap a toy up but then would have to buy clothes for her anyway so thought might as well make this Xmas present. Can't work out if saving money this way or not. To put it in context I got quite a lot of stuff. 1 skirt, I hoodie, 4 pairs of tights, 2 cardigans, 6 vests , 2 dresses, 2 tops. So I would be buying this anyway but I guess not in one big chunk.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 14/11/2015 12:05

take it all back. She can wear boys clothes. She is 9 months old and has no consciousness beyond the need for food, warmth, a clean nappy and love.

all but one of those cost money. You urgently need to stop buying presents for adults (in both directions of course). £30 each for all those people???? What savings do you have? How stuffed are you if someone loses a job?

Thumbcat · 14/11/2015 12:09

Yes I'd take them all back and put her in DC1's clothes. And if you must buy for other adults I'd be aiming for something around the £5 mark, £10 at the absolute most.

KipperTheFish · 14/11/2015 12:17

Well I think your budget for adults is quite extravagant, but I don't think you've spent a lot on your dd's clothes, so I guess we all have different ideas about presents / clothes.

We do a secret Santa for adults in our family, with a limit of £20. It works brilliantly. They aren't meant to be funny presents (like a work secret Santa), just that adults don't need a present from every other adult, and you often get things you don't really want, and it's stressful buying for everyone so just buying one present works is a dream!

On the other hand, I wouldn't think twice about spending what you have on clothes, but if it was over my budget I would take some things beak, wrap up the rest and buy the other things she needs in the sales.

I

GreenSand · 14/11/2015 12:21

I'd reuse the vests from your other child. No one can see what is underneath the clothes.
Use the tights now, or in a stocking, if you do them.
The rest isn't that much. If you can afford it, what the problem. If you can't, take back the stuff that is least likely to be used, and go sale shopping (or use the other half for the first Birthday in Jan?)

Whatabout · 14/11/2015 12:22

Take it all back and buy iT again in the sales! If you paid full price for everything then that's not great, wait for offers. Also for that age I buy everything from supermarkets, with them growing so fast there is no point. The Tu 20% off event and the next sale does me. I buy in sales a year in advance. Also look on Facebook groups and eBay for bundles, well worth it.

I also think your present budget if way over. Get on the Christmas bargain thread and start saving.

Ripeningapples · 14/11/2015 12:25

Your skint. You need to cut down on the adult presents. Your dh can have a little token. I'm not sure about the clothes. She probably needs a couple of nice things but my DD lived in DS's stuff until she was turned two. I just bought her pink socks and the odd girly thing. We weren't skint either.

ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 14/11/2015 12:26

What does it matter if anyone here thinks it extravagant? Can you afford it and do you want them?
Why are people telling you you need to stop buying for adults....its your money, its your family, do what you bloody well like.

ProjectPerfect · 14/11/2015 12:26

In the nicest possible way it's a totally pointless question isn't it?

For every person who thinks £108 on clothes is extravagant there'll be someone who thinks it isn't.

I would spend that on clothes for my DC outside of Christmas without thinking twice. If you can afford it then there is really no issue.

ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 14/11/2015 12:27

Op doesn't say she is skint, just the opposite, she says they are OK for money. You're projecting.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 14/11/2015 12:32

That's a lot of money for those clothes. I would take it back and hit Primark instead, you could get double the amount of clothes for half the price.

LynetteScavo · 14/11/2015 12:49

I don't think it's extravagant, but I would have waited until the sales to buy clothes and got one cheaper but lovely present for DD to open at Christmas.

Drquin · 14/11/2015 13:15

Whether it's extravagant or not is relative.
Some folk would think / need to think buying anything more than one item from Poundland is extravagant.
Others will think £108 is about average Christmas spend per child.
Others will say it's nothing, and would spend a shed-load more.

If you're doing "ok" money-wise, you probably should just keep the clothes, enjoy them and enjoy Christmas.
If you trying to work out how to feed your kids this week, then I'd be suggesting returning stuff.

Manopaws · 15/11/2015 16:24

Car boot sales are great just get the presents from there you can always find unused gift packs on there or give presents you have been given and haven't used just make sure you don't give them to the same people that gave them to you

milaforni · 15/11/2015 16:47

i think you answered your own question when you mentioned how short a time she will be able to use them. I loved dressing my girls and sometimes went a bit nuts. The thing is, it only will get worse if you start that habit now. Perhaps you should take a few things back and then shop during after Xmas sales. Sales are your friend as you can get more for your money.
I always buy adults gifts. Do we ever really get over the love of Christmas presents, even as adults? I think not!

brokenmouse · 15/11/2015 19:13

Dc1 is a boy and dc2 a girl so can't pass clothes down

At 9 months DC2 isn't going to care if her t-shirt has dinosaurs on.

annielostit · 16/11/2015 18:04

Take them back and go to a supermarket.or wear the dinosaur tee-shirt. Get her a Dolly for xmas and tell the grown ups Christmas presents are cancelled.Smile

justwondering72 · 18/11/2015 07:59

I think that once you've decided that you can afford to spend that money on something, you should ask yourself what your dd needs. As in actually needs. Not 'might look pretty in' or 'because I can afford it'. Mindless, pointless, consumption is an empty and damaging thing.

justwondering72 · 18/11/2015 08:02

Apologies, that posted too soon! I was going to go on and say that, if she needs clothes, why not ask relatives to buy them for her? Or see what you can cover from hand me downs, keep some of the things that you can't and return the rest?

I am a total Scrooge these days. I dislike the excessive spending at Christmas, and I don't think that being able to afford it justifies the environmental cost of consuming the way that we do at present.

atticusclaw2 · 19/11/2015 08:13

I dont think its a high spend for a child for Christmas but I would question whether she'd get better use out of something else. Babies grow so quickly.

Artandco · 19/11/2015 08:25

I don't think it's a huge amount, but if your on a budget it is.

I would def be using some of your sons old clothes at least, the vests and tops you could return and reuse sons at least. And prob the hoody as I'm sure two 'girl' cardigans is plenty if you add sons old jumpers also

£30/40 per adult is too much also if your on a budget. I would talk to adults and say token gifts only between you all £5-10.

For your mother and sisters birthdays coming up I would also spend £10 each maximum.

MrsMolesworth · 19/11/2015 08:34

I'd take them all back. And yes, put thought not cash into the presents for other adults at the moment.

Passthecake30 · 21/11/2015 13:31

I had a ds followed by a ds and the only thing I handed down was vests. If you think that was extravagant then take some back and swop for supermarket equivalents. Only you know your financial situation. ...

Also worth considering if people will buy your dd clothes for xmas so they might not be needed?

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