Teenagers, Christmas presents and money.....????

[blossomsmine]

Don't want to be nosey but i have teenagers and i find Christmas quite expensive. I have been reading the Christmas threads where people are talking about how much they spend on their kids but they all seem quite young kids. I can't really get away with spending £20 on each child!!! I wouldn't actually want to anyway, as i like to get them things they need/want. We don't have loads of money and don't spend much on them throughout the year so usually end up spending quite abit at Christmas.
Just wondered if you all find it expensive for teenagers or do you still keep a tight rein on the finances and buy small presents?

Definitely going to find this year more difficult. Money is tight - credit crunch, DH s/e, etc. They have asked for a PS3 as a joint pressie, £300 approx. DS1 (nearly 15) has also come up with a list of several things, all around £20/£30 together with a new TV as apparently current 14'' is too naff for PS3, (dream on) but DS2 (nearly 13) bless him, cannot think of anything much yet that he would like. We will probably buy them a season ticket for rugby, approx £50 each. Things are also complicated by the fact that both birthdays are in November, 2 weeks apart!! They both get pocket money throughout the year, DS1 also has a paper round, so we dont tend to spend much other than stuff they need through the year. DS2 is hoping to get a paper round as soon as he hits 13 as well!

I am hoping to spend no more than £600 between them, wish us luck!

Have asked all the family for money for ds for birthday and Christmas this year to go towards a PS3, and as we live abroad, that makes life easier for everyone. We will be buying him an HDMI computer screen for it and the new Dr Who series 4 on DVD. He'll get a couple of CDs,some books, and maybe a couple of PS3 games, and that's it.

DD1 will be getting an MP3 player to replace the one that didn't survive the washing machine, DD2 I have no idea and her birthday is also December........I usually get them both a few books, CDs, item or two of clothing plus the "big" present, probably a total of no more than £200 each. Aiming for less this year, like everyone else.

Don't tend to go overboard with either Christmas or birthday but make a point of family things like the occasional meal our or trip to London.

You all seem to have the same situation as me then!!! It adds up though doesn't it, 3 kids, about £200 each a grand sum of £600!! Thats without everyone else and any extras that 'crop' up...
Wish i had ideas already though
Really feel for you all, who have birthdays on top of Christmas, don't know how you do it

DD1 is 13 and dd2 11. Last year we bought a Wii to share and then spent another about £60 each, including stockings.

This year, we will probably spend about £80 each and they won't get a "big" present particularly. I might get dd1 some straighteners or a hairdryer (about £30) and then books, smellies etc. DD2 says she doesn't really want anything (love her) so we will probably sponsor an animal for her, get something for her bedroom and then the usual books and stocking bits and bobs. I will also make each of them a new picture for their rooms I think.

Have you tried looking in catalogues, like Littlewoods? lots of teenager stuff. At least you can spread the cost monthly and you don't pay any interest if you make 12 monhtly payments. Check prices though as they are not always competitive.

I am not very good with catalogues last year i bought a camera and something else [can't remember now} and it came to about £350ish, i was supposed to pay within 9 months to get interest free credit....but i didn't... When i got the bill they had put all the interest on plus it was going to cost me about £40 extra each month if i didn't pay it all off... I an useless at budgeting when i pay for things that way. So trying to do cash this year Don't care if i can't buy as much i just don't want any extra bills!