OMG
I spent the last half hour wrapping up three more birthday presents for parties tonight and two over the weekend and need to go out in a while to buy DD1 some more party tights - no doubt another fiver. That is around £35 pounds for this weekend?s social capers. I despair of it all. I have just sat down with the borthday book and added it all up. My DD?s combined friends (those who we buy birthday gifts, cards and prob go to a party) number 42. (It is probably higher as no doubt I have forgotten someone or two)
Around here people spend an average of £5-10 pounds on a gift, then there is the card and wrapping paper, in total we usually spend £10, close friends up to £15 with all totalled in.
10x42= £420. Then there is the party dresses - usually two a year each for summer and winter, maybe about £15 each? plus the shoes and tights, special party hair clips etc - 4 pairs of shoes roughly £100 in total, add on £40 for the extras (probably more as they often need a little party cardigan if cold, tights add up etc)
So:
£420 on gifts and cards
£140 on outfits between them...
this is £560 - not even including their own birthday gifts, parties, Christmas. Birthday parties cost so much more than you think - invites, thank you cards, party bags and gifts, the cake, napkins, table cloths, balloons, hire of location, hire of DJ or activity - easily £150 per child plus maybe £25 on gift each - another £175 x2
running total now stands at £560 + £350 = £910
We haven?t even factored in Christmas and family/adult friends? birthdays.
This is a nightmare! Am I alone in this or is anyone else there horrified by the basic cost of celebrating each other?s birthdays and Christmas??
Right - from now on I am bulk buying, 3 for 2 offers for gifts, bumper packs or home made cards - no more last minute dash to Marks and Spencers grabbing a £2.50 card...I have to curb this spending! AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH