Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Is £150 enough to spend for christmas...

145 replies

YummyorSlummy · 09/10/2009 11:51

For a one year old? We were thinking of spending £150 on ds's xmas presents and the same for his birthday which is on the 23rd but I don't really feel like this is going to get him very much.Dh was even questioning if we could afford that (he's a bit tight thrifty)What do people think??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
stinkypinky · 10/10/2009 17:48

I spent £10 on a stocking for DD on her first christmas- the rest of the family went mad with gifts, and thought I was mean. DD cried as she was so overwhelmed with the opening of gifts, and accompanying fuss.
I like the idea of buying things for summer or later developmental phases. There are constant expenses for children (like £600 pcm childcare) and at this age, they just do not understand.
Am pg again, and will give same pressies to DC2 as needed.

Dumbledoresgirl · 10/10/2009 17:51

When my oldest child was one, I bought him the box of coloured bricks from the ELC. It cost £10 in those days. We still have the bricks and they are still played with by my younger children aged 9 and 6.

I cannot imagine what would cost £150 unless you were getting something like a playhouse for the garden. In which case, save it until he is 2 or 3. One year olds don't need that much.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 10/10/2009 17:51

dont drink or smoke or eat takeaways etc, done even drive, i dont want to, do want to spoil my family at christmas ' in every way, not just with cash and gifts but with creating the whole experience. I wouldnt say you were wasting money on running a car, thats what you want to spend money on, ita=s a choice no more or less.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting
Knickers0nMahead · 10/10/2009 18:36

Id love to go mad at xmas. To get the house all done up with fancy trimmings etc. I love the magical feel of xmas but when you dont have the funds, you make it the best you can. Op, you didnt say if you have this cash, or if it will leave you struggling? I can see it would be easy to spend that amount, what with how much kids toys cost! If you have the money, then do it, but if you dont have it, then just get him a few cheap gifts.

Jux · 10/10/2009 18:58

£150? For a 1yo? I think you're mad! Give him a bit of cake, a box and some sparkly wrapping paper, he'll be perfectly happy.

If you're looking to please other people then you'll be doing that all his life and you'll wind up with a Dudley Dursley who throws tantrums if you don't get him more presents this year than you did last year.

scattykatty · 10/10/2009 19:51

I think everyone is being a bit mean! It's their first birthday/Christmas and PFB so I think it is easy to get carried away.

I know what OP means about a big present, say a swing for the garden or a smart trike thing would be nearly £100. So if she's looking at something like that it might not feel as much as a lot of smaller presents.

Also, with birthday and Christmas being very close the child probs won't get much for the rest of the year so mabe OP wants to splash out a bit. Each to their own you know Some people on other threads spend £600 on a dog I read which I think is toal insanity so it's really just a priority thing IMO.

star6 · 10/10/2009 20:07

I agree - it's where your priorities are. My priorities are not in presents. I do believe in the value of giving and the good feeling you get from that. But I don't want my DS to feel that he has to break the bank to make someone feel good nor do I want him expecting loads of presents. I'd like him to appreciate what he is given. A few presesnts is plenty IMO. DH's sister took out a loan for her DS's first xmas and that was 15 years ago - I think she's still paying it back . She has to fill up under the tree every year and it's a bit ott. loads of junk and wasted money.

scattykatty · 10/10/2009 20:19

A loan for presents is sick!

Some people I know spend £60 a month on Sky with every single package which I think is ridiculous, we only get 2! But I do like to treat DS at Christmas but not too much

TBH the puppy thread was a lot more scary to read than this. The amount people spend on a animal that could get run over any day is really odd! IMO

carriedababi · 10/10/2009 21:05

link to the puppy thread please

PoppyIsApain · 10/10/2009 21:18

I spent £50 on ds last year for his first xmas, his grandparents, aunts and uncles spent more than £300 between them, i was flattered by all the presents but a little annoyed aswell as i share my house with my mum, brother, dh, and ds so not got much space. This year i am spending more but thats because everyone who spent loads last year are not this year, what im trying to say is beware of overspending family members who mean well, you are prob spending way to much with everyone else's pressies

scattykatty · 10/10/2009 22:06

crazy pet spending

I just don't know why people that don't have much money think pedigree pets is the best investment

piscesmoon · 10/10/2009 22:16

If it is a first DC they don't need much at all. I can't see how you can possibly spend £150! If it is a younger DC then you have to make it fair to the older ones and so you can't miss the baby out. Taking out a loan for a baby who doesn't know or care is madness! If you haven't got it-don't spend it. Car boot sales are a good source.

choosyfloosy · 10/10/2009 22:18

[assuming this is not a joke], If your dh doesn't think you can afford it then I think you should listen to him and make a joint decision based on what you can really afford as a family. I don't even remember what I bought ds for his first birthday and neither does he....

jasper · 10/10/2009 22:20

far too much

purpledreamer · 10/10/2009 22:51

Ok i my daughter just turned one and ive spent about just over 150 for example

A leapfrog activity table £50
Fisher price animal train £40
Peppa pig pjs £10
fisher price cookie pot £15
fisher price piggy bank £15
Outfit from next £20

and thats just 6 things £150 is very realistic

Giltz · 10/10/2009 22:56

Way to much I think, but in the end it is your Money. My DD will be 9 months at christmas

we were planning on spending about £50, she wont know plus she is the first grandchild on either side so will be spoiled by both sets of her grandparents

Georgimama · 10/10/2009 23:19

That's an insane amount of money to spend on a one year old, regardless of how much you have. Really silly on a one year old.

And it's very early in the year for these sort of mad competitive how-much-do-you-or-do-you-not-spend-on-your-children type threads. Let's at least wait until November, eh?

jasper · 10/10/2009 23:24

your one year old will not have a clue what is going on anyway

TabithaTwitchet · 10/10/2009 23:49

It seems like a lot (just to echo everyone else)
DD turned 1 the week before Christmas last year. We spent about £50 on her birthday present - most of it on a wooden push-along walker that I hope will get passed to her own children one day, plus a new outfit.
For Christmas we spent £12 on one toy, plus about another £10 on a stocking - couple of board books, socks, baby shampoo, chocolate buttons and a banana.

This year I have already bought her Christmas present, a big box of second hand Brio that cost me £20 (again I'm hoping it might get passed through the generations).

I'll also get her a stocking with a few useful bits and books and treats again.

I think it's better to look for something you think your child will like, rather than having a set amount you're going to spend. I'm of the opinion "only one toy" for either Christmas or birthday, (plus a few small treats, and things like clothes etc that you would probably have needed to buy anyway).

katnkittens · 11/10/2009 01:05

I don't think it's too much but it's not necessary either. It's fun spending money on your DCs and as someone else pointed out you can easily spend £150 in a handful of things.

Just be aware that you might be making a rod for your own back. My DCs are 13, 11 and 6. We have always gone a bit mad at Christmas, my DCs are the only children in the extended family so always get loads from other people too. This year for various reasons money is a bit tighter and I'm wondering how I'll be able to afford a lavish Christmas like they are used to.

I know they'll understand, they are not greedy children and never ask for much but it's still going to be a bit strange. I wish in hindsight that I'd spent less on them from the beginning.

Eeeee all this Christmas talk is making me excited...

Clary · 11/10/2009 01:49

That's absolutely masses.

Sorry but what are you buying him that you don't think it will be very much?

If you can afford it then of course do, but tbh you could give a 1yo a big cardboard box and some crumpled paper and he'd be happy

I reckon to spend £100 max on Christmas for each of my DC and they are 6, 8 and 10 so rather more discerning!

I thought as I opened the thread £150 would be your whole Christmas budget. Seeker I was wondering if it was a wind-up too.

(Cory actually my DD has asked for a Harry Potter book and an alice band, how bizarre!)

MrsTicklemouse · 11/10/2009 02:00

i spent £150 on ds1s first birthday but that was because i bought a playhouse not because i wanted to spend £150 iyswim and this year they are getting the best trampoline i can afford as a joint xmas present because i want it to last a long time, its £400 which i wouldn't dream on spending on two children if it was just an assortment of presents

maybe the op has something big in mind and if she can afford it i dont see the problem, although i do totally agree that one year olds dont need a huge amount of toys and it does seem a bit silly to thnk i'm going to spend x amount rather that i would like these if i can afford them

if that makes sense, i am so tired i can hardly see but i cant be botheered to move!!

notagrannyyet · 11/10/2009 06:16

It's your money and If it makes you happy then do it. But as others have said you could still have a brilliant Christmas by spending much less.

GPs and others will probably buy lots of presents. Even if they don't babies don't need loads of stuff. Why not buy a few toys and an outfit or two for Christmas and just have a birthday tea on 23rd. It would be a lovely start to Christmas.

I would put any spare cash into an account for him.

He won't remember his first Christmas so the spending is just for you really! Take plenty of photos though. It's great to look back at them.

I have 3 teenage DS and could spend mega bucks on clothes, phones, games and other gadgets. I won't. This year I'm setting a limit of £100 each. I could afford more but they have so much all through the year... sports kit, music lesson/instruments, school trips.The list is endless!

Make the most of cheaper Christmases while you can!

Podrick · 11/10/2009 06:46

Spend £50 which is plenty and save £250 into your child's account - they will thank you later.

Tambajam · 11/10/2009 07:11

For a one year old I think that's excessive. I would hold back some of the money and spend some during the year as his interests develop. From one December to the next is a time for massive change in a baby. You'll appreciate some money for shopping next Summer.