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Original poster

To use DCs Xmas money for a family holiday?

365 replies

Ooooophhh · 07/01/2020 09:53

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!

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 07/01/2020 10:12

Nope.

If money is that tight what about paying for all these activities the kdis will want, food, transport etc?

You've got one holiday, you want to you need to save.

Asking the gift givers will likely just make them awkwardly agree its fine.

timeforawine · 07/01/2020 10:12

Nope i wouldn't. My daughter gets money for every birthday and Christmas, it goes in her bank for when she's older. It's hers for her future

OvalCanvas · 07/01/2020 10:12

Yes , and the dc will benefit from your new shoes because you walk places with them...

I'm really hoping that this thread is a wind up.

dottiedodah · 07/01/2020 10:13

Why not use it and pay it back to them say £50 a month for 6 months ? A friend had to get a new boiler ,and borrowed some of her DDs money. Repaid her in full over a year. I benefits you all to have a break and as long as you repay cant see a problem!

ByAppointmentTo · 07/01/2020 10:15

No, it's not your money to use and it would be completely wrong to spend on a holiday. My SIL did this and used money left to her DD by MIL. She also justified lots of other family expenditure with the money because her "DD would benefit." There is now nothing left of my niece's £4000. It's a very slippery slope.

DonPablo · 07/01/2020 10:15

In previous years we've used the kids birthday or Christmas money to book theatre tickets for them. They didn't need any more stuff, and as theatre tickets are expensive, this seemed like a good plan.

The holiday cottage is like a step on from that idea in some ways.

I'm not sure if have the balls to do it, because somehow it does seem a bit off, but actually, I can't say why! They'd have a great time!

FamilyOfAliens · 07/01/2020 10:16

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.

This is the only course of action to resolve your dilemma. Glad to see you agree.

crustycrab · 07/01/2020 10:16

No. It's not yours. And if you can't afford £300 then you can't afford to save for them either. Put it in their bank for the future, don't buy "stuff" or book a holiday

HeddaGarbled · 07/01/2020 10:16

Toddlers don’t care about 5* accommodation. Don’t pretend it’s for them.

DesLynamsMoustache · 07/01/2020 10:16

@Emmapeeler1 They're toddlers so unlikely to be able to choose how to spend it! If they were older kids presumably they'd just have been given the money directly.

Janus · 07/01/2020 10:17

Moneygivers are going to probably say yes even if they think no as you will be putting them on the spot. That would really annoy me if I were them, as much as you using the money to go on holiday!
Our kids get money every Christmas/birthday. I put it all away in the bank and buy them something small ‘from their birthday money’ but actually I pay. The money is therefore not touched until they are much older and want something ‘big’, eg driving lessons. As you say, at this age they rarely need more stuff but later on they definitely will be grateful to have a lump sum.
If you use the money I would honestly only do this as long as you pay it all back into their savings accounts. Believe me, teenagers are very expensive and you will be grateful you put it away.

sansou · 07/01/2020 10:17

YABU.

Seriously, who doesn't have £300 now and their first thought is to use their DC's Xmas money to pay for a week's holiday?

A holiday is a luxury and hardly an essential especially when you have one already booked for a fortnight in the summer.

If I didn't have £300 spare, I wouldn't be going on ANY holiday at all.

Emmelina · 07/01/2020 10:17

I’d put most in savings for them as planned, and keep £10 or so out for them as “spending money” on your holiday. You know kids and shops!

GameSetMatch · 07/01/2020 10:20

If the money was for a day out or something they would enjoy then why not? A holiday seems better than plastic tat BUT If it was for meant for savings then YABU

coffeeoclock · 07/01/2020 10:24

I would personally, sounds like it will benefit you as a family and life is hard enough as it is! Not like you're using the money and leaving the kids at home Grin

It's only £300 as well (I appreciate that's loads of money though to some people- myself included!!) not like you're using a grand or two.

georgialondon · 07/01/2020 10:24

Only if you're going to pay it back!

sansou · 07/01/2020 10:24

I'm not against spending the DCs' money for essential bills if you were really up against it - i.e to pay the rent/mortgage/council tax/put food on the table.

Are you really strapped for cash? If it's cash flow, then use your credit card otherwise, I don't think you can afford to go on another holiday.

babycatcher411 · 07/01/2020 10:26

I think you main problem is the focus of the week away.

I just want a change of scenery and nothing to do for a week

This sentence makes it about you.
Let’s say you’d chosen a few days stay at Thomas The Tank Engine Land (I’ve made this up, I’ve no idea if that’s a thing), and finished it off by saying the kids love Thomas so much, it wouldnt seem like such a crazy idea, because it would be a get away entirely for/about them.

Pilot12 · 07/01/2020 10:32

£300.00 for a week in a five star holiday cottage is very cheap, are you sure it's not an offer that's too good to be true?! The cheapest holiday cottage we could find last year was £350.00 for a week in a very basic Hoseason's cottage.

I think it would be okay to borrow the money to make the booking if you're going to pay it back soon. Otherwise I would keep it for when they need something like new shoes and you don't have the money. You are already getting a holiday this year.

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/01/2020 10:32

I wouldn't, you already have a holiday booked. It's not your money it's theirs, would you sell their presents to fund this holiday?

Original poster
Ooooophhh · 07/01/2020 10:32

The money wasn't intended for savings accounts as my inlaws (who have it) have savings accounts for both children which they pay into monthly- we also do the same-£100 per month is set aside each month by us for when they're older.
Their money boxes are overflowing with cash as my DF gives them each pocket money every week. We don't spend it as they already have so much 'stuff'. Sometimes I let them use the money for fairground rides on family day trips that sort of thing. The money goes into their bank accounts once a year aside from a bit here and there for rides, sticker books and the odd pocket money toys.

As we already save for their future and pay their pocket money into their accounts each year, it got me thinking that their Christmas money could be used for experiences, but I understand there is a difference between museums and soft play days and a holiday cottage in the Cotswolds.

I disagree that DCs don't benefit from 5* accommodation. We have stayed in some real hovels in the past that haven't been clean or child friendly at all. Great accommodation makes all the difference to everyone's holiday experience.

OP posts:
Butterymuffin · 07/01/2020 10:33

Feb half term is a terrible time to go away in any case unless you're going quite a distance to somewhere sunny. You do know that's why it's such a good deal, don't you? Keep deal hunting, but save up yourself and pick a better time to go.

Ijustwanttoretire · 07/01/2020 10:36

@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

This is rather defensive - almost as if you KNOW it would be wrong - at the end of the day it IS stealing and they might not need the money now but they will do in the future. I would have more sympathy if you'd said 'borrow it and repay it over a few months' but you didn't.

Hercwasonaroll · 07/01/2020 10:36

I think this is a bit cheeky. The money was intended for them, not you. They are toddlers so a week self catering is just the same shit in a different place. If you can't afford £300 for the accommodation how will you pay for the activities once you get there?

Original poster
Ooooophhh · 07/01/2020 10:36

We love it @butterymuffin. Cheap deals, cosy cottages with log fires in the evening, blistery walks along the beach or little towns, no chores to do, board games, craft and play and cafes selling piles of pancakes and homemade soups. Quality family time. It's wonderful.

OP posts:
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