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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:
GiveHerHellFromUs · 07/01/2020 18:39

OP just from another perspective - if they had £300 worth of presents would you sell the presents to pay for your holiday?

simonisnotme · 07/01/2020 18:44

you what !
use their Christmas money on a holiday that you want and they wont remember
put that money away for their college or Uni fund they will get more out of it and thank you for it !

BoxedWine · 07/01/2020 18:46

If I'd given the cash I certainly wouldn't mind you spending it on an experience rather than an item.

ArabellaDoreenFig · 07/01/2020 18:47

I think if the circumstances were different I would say it was ok, if the OP was genuinely hard up and used the money for a holiday which the family wouldn’t get otherwise then it seems a nice idea, but you are clearly in a good financial position- you have other holidays booked this year and bank 200 into kids savings each month and I really can’t articulate why but it just seems a bit crass to spend the kids money on a week in a cottage.

Do you live within your means OP?

Cohle · 07/01/2020 18:48

It's not about kids only liking theme parks. It's about whether the primary motivation for the holiday is genuinely the kids. And a holiday cottage in the cotswalds does not scream "only doing this for the children".

I'm amazed at the mental gymnastics some people are prepared to go through to justify stealing from their own children. Grim.

Westfacing · 07/01/2020 18:50

I pay money into my grandchildren's accounts and wouldn't be happy if their parents used this for a trip to a cottage. My gifts are for the children to spend themselves (with parental oversight) e.g. school trips, pocket money, sports gear, etc.

If you haven't got a spare £300 it sounds like you're on a tight budget so shouldn't be spending your DC's money on a second holiday. Children's schooldays are an expensive time with so many extras to be paid for, you'd be wise to get in the habit of saving their Xmas money in readiness!

Willow2017 · 07/01/2020 18:50

if she is using it for a family holiday and not a pair of shoes for herself.
She is using the money for a holiday she wants. They already have a family holiday booked for later. This isn't thier only holiday in 10 years!
I wouldn't expect my toddlers to pay for my dream holiday! And let a be honest the toddlers won't care if it's 5 as long as they are with thier parents it's op who wants 5.

doritosdip · 07/01/2020 18:59

DD would have been way happier in a cottage somewhere different, especially at 4y.

The child's (children?) are toddlers so 1 year old. They'd be impressed with a 10 minute bus ride and sleeping in the living room rather than bedroom for the night.

MapMyMum · 07/01/2020 19:16

If you're honest, it most likely wont be repaid, if you're unable to find 300e now then you're unlikely to randomly find it to pay into their banks on tops everything else through the year. I imagine those that gave them money as a present did not intend it to be used for you to get a holiday from it

Original poster
Ooooophhh · 07/01/2020 19:17

Just one thing that I keep wondering after a few posters have said the same thing...

"Save it towards a future school trip..."
"I would want the money to go towards a school trip..."
"You may need money towards a school trip in the future...

What makes a school trip an acceptable trip to spend the money on,but not a family trip?

Having been on quite a few school trips as both a student and a teacher, I am confused by the belief that school trips are of more value than family trips?
They're often not.

OP posts:
Embracelife · 07/01/2020 19:20

Spend it how you like.
A family break is worthwhile
No crime is committed.

FamilyOfAliens · 07/01/2020 19:24

What makes a school trip an acceptable trip to spend the money on,but not a family trip?

Because the family doesn’t go on the school trip - the child, whose money it is, does!

Thestrangestthing · 07/01/2020 19:25

OP go on your nice holiday. My kids love going on holiday, they love staying in other places, it's like an adventure. If I were to ask my 2 (who are quite a bit older) would you rather use your Christmas money to go on holiday soon with mum and dad, or would you rather I saved it for a school trip at some point down the line, that we will probably be able to pay for for you anyway, I know which one they would pick.

happycamper11 · 07/01/2020 19:34

LOL at the idea of the £300 cottage in the cottage being the 'dream holiday' that a toddler is bankrolling 😆

happycamper11 · 07/01/2020 19:34

*in the Cotswolds

mummmy2017 · 07/01/2020 19:35

So the result is OP is paying the £300 back at £50 each child for 3 months and borrowing the money for a holiday.
Good result.

Monstermummymum · 07/01/2020 19:39

It will benefit your toddlers and give them experiences so yes! I would do it.

Tessaraqt · 07/01/2020 19:40

I only read the first load of replies and was shocked they were all no. I have three kids under 5, and they got money for Christmas too. The relatives who give money don't do it in a "save this for university" way. They do it in a "here's money so you can buy something they want or need, so they don't end up with mountains of plastic tat".

I booked a holiday with my kids Christmas money. We have three nights in a YHA youth hostel in Feb half term for £60. They're going to love it, and I told the relative what I spent the money on, and they were thrilled it was going towards something the kids would enjoy so much.

Book the holiday OP.

HoorahHilda · 07/01/2020 19:40

I see no problem at all with doing this.Go for it! It's not a mixture of friends/relatives giving;it's your in laws.Double check with them if you are in any doubt..
Some of the 'anti' replies here are ridiculous.

Ginger1982 · 07/01/2020 19:42

"What makes a school trip an acceptable trip to spend the money on,but not a family trip?"

The parents aren't getting a free ride on someone else's money. You should only go on holidays that you can afford to pay for yourself unless someone specifically gives you money and tells you to spend it on a holiday.

Copperleaves · 07/01/2020 19:43

Nothing like a school trip - unless you get the dc to pay for their share and you pay the other 50%
I'm not saying I wouldn't do it if I was desperate but I would feel bad about it. Could easily save the money for them.

zeddybrek · 07/01/2020 19:43

No it's your DC money. Leave it alone. Give it to them when they are older for driving lessons, travel to college/uni, deposit for a first flat to rent or whatever they please because it is their money!

Ispy123 · 07/01/2020 19:44

I wouldn't spend my childrens money any money they have received is theirs and goes straight into their bank accounts. You've already got a holiday booked so I'd just be happy with that and put your children's money in their accounts for when they're older, where it belongs I hasten to add.

Thestrangestthing · 07/01/2020 19:44

Have fun OP, ya big thief! 😂

Thestrangestthing · 07/01/2020 19:48

No it's your DC money. Leave it alone. Give it to them when they are older for driving lessons, travel to college/uni, deposit for a first flat to rent or whatever they please because it is their money!

Its 150 quid each ffs! By the time the kids are learning to drive, lessons will be about £50 a lesson. Honestly what flat have you ever rented or bought where they accepted £150 pound deposit? Ridiculous!