To use DCs Xmas money for a family holiday?

[Ooooophhh]

Last year we stayed in a fantastic holiday cottage in our favourite place to hide away which had to be unfortunately cut short.
We have booked our 2 week summer holiday this year so it is not that we aren't going on holiday this year.
However, I have been snooping online and discovered a brilliant deal on the cottage for 1 week over half term. It will cost us in the region of £300 for 1 week in the 5* accommodation-money we don't have at the moment . But, DCs who are toddlers, received money for Christmas totalling this amount. They don't need anything so we were planning on paying the cash into their bank accounts, but I'm now wondering whether to use the money for a family get away instead.
Am I being selfish and indulgent to use their money for this? I just want a change of scenery and nothing to do for a week!

YABU

Sorry - I didn’t even notice that this wasn’t AIBU! I wouldn’t OP, the money should be saved for later on in life when they do need it.

Could you use the cash and then replace it later in the year when money is better?

Unreasonable. And selfish. Save up and use your own money.

YABU! It's not yours.

You can't be serious.

I don’t see what’s wrong with this since the kids are benefitting from a holiday.

You’ve got toddlers - a self-catering cottage isn’t going to = ‘doing nothing’!

Can you - honestly - afford to repay them that money? Only spend it if you have a rock-solid savings plan to repay your children.

I would but you'll probably have lots of posters telling you otherwise.

I would say I wish we had saved every single penny of birthday and Xmas money for ds going to university. It comes round SO fast you have no idea ,so save what you can now and get into the habit of it.

My thinking was that they would obviously benefit hugely from the experiences of a family holiday as opposed to us buying more 'stuff.' Lots of outdoor activities in the area etc and plenty of time together as a family-particularly as DCs have struggled with some transitions lately.

I would. They'll benefit too surely

This wouldn’t sit right with me, the money was given by others for the children, not for a week away for yourself.

Now if you were describing say a few days at Legoland (or some other kid based holiday), it might be a different matter, but what you describe is a week away for yourself because you want to get away from things.

I think it’s a slippery slope , you don’t apparently have £300 so you use the children’s money - you are not even saying borrrow . What happens if you get an unexpected bill in that is £300 do you take their money for that as well .

Yes I do want to get away from things, but they obviously come too! Not like I'm spending it on a week in magaluf for myself.

Shocked at folks that would steal their kids Christmas money and then try to pretend it was for their benefit, because, yeah you can't spend time with them at home or do stuff with them elsewhere.

I'd do it if you can pay it back, so if it's just a cash flow issue. I don't think it would be terrible to use the money now and then when you get paid, put it back into their accounts and don't touch it again. But if you don't intend to repay it, it seems a bit off. Money for my DD goes into her own account for when she's older and we don't touch it.

Why not ask the money-givers if they would mind their gift being used in this way?

If you're hesitating to do that, then there's your answer.

So you're spending their money on something you want? They'll probably be happy with multiple trips to the park over half term , and some free museums.

Put it away for them and they'll benefit later on.

No Floral, I have never and would never take their money for the purpose of something breaking- we have a modest but helpful emergency fund for that sort of thing.

@CrocodileFrock great thinking actually.

If you’re not going to put it back, you can’t afford to go. Save up for next year, tell generous relations that you and the DC would love money towards a day out at attractions nearby and then you can put gift money to it guilt-free.

I have never and would never take their money for the purpose of something breaking

Oh, but you'd spend it on a holiday? Toddlers don't care where they are. You can take them for day trips near home.

Be honest, you only looked at holidays you don't have money for because you were eyeing up their Christmas funds.

Absolutely not.

@Bluntness100 yes I was eyeing up their money... as soon as they received it I was thinking "oooo what could I spend that on." If I don't treat my self to a holiday, I might buy some designer shoes or something.

Reading the OP I presumed it was money from relatives in lieu of something for Christmas, ie a treat, not money intended for university. I have received the odd cheque from my uncle for my kids saying to spend it now, on something fun, and not to save it. If the relatives intended the money for a treat, why not a family holiday instead of toys they don’t need?

If I sent money for my nieces and nephews for Christmas I’d think it was pretty boring to put it into a savings account. Saving for university is something I should do for my own kids, out of my own wages.