FabSwingers.com forum: How much do you spend on your children at Christmas???

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Between the wife and I we have 7 children, two are at university and do there own thing, we aim to spend £250 each per child, which don't go to far, how much do you spend and is it due to circumstance or principal?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Me and Emily also have 7 between us. They get £20 each. However 4 of them have birthdays within 3 weeks of xmas and they all get £80 for their birthdays. So this month kills us dead financially. Theres no way we could or would spend 250 each for xmas but good luck to you if you can or feel its needed

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

£250 for christmas?? its one day £50 is more than enough and even thats a lot

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

im struggling to give mine the 50 i usually give them and the few stocking silly bits - never gone daft at xmas or birthdays but then never had it to give - if i had im sure they would have had more - saying that they have grown up totally appreciating everything they do have

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By *arry247Couple
over a year ago

Wakefield

Our children are grown up now but in the past we would never think of spending the equivalent of £100 on each child but would keep to around the equivalent of £20.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Our children are grown up now but in the past we would never think of spending the equivalent of £100 on each child but would keep to around the equivalent of £20."

Same principle here when mine were young, though they usually got a lot more on birthdays.

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By *arry247Couple
over a year ago

Wakefield

I don't know why but this thread has reminded me of the lyrics of the song No Charge

I think it was written by Billie Joel and sung by Tammy Wynette amongst others

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I've spend £60 each on my niece and nephew and they have tons of stuff now...

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

When my son was young it was about £100 then when he got to 11+ things cost more, I never has a limit but it was around the £250 mark.

Now he's an adult he gets part presents part cash around £250.

But I only had one child he wouldn't have got so much if I'd have had others

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have three kids. 15/13/7.

The eldest have got I phones and a bundle of clothes. We started buying in September this year. The little one has a bike and we bulk it out with toy cars and the like. Our household Xmas spend on the kids this year will be about £550. And if I'm honest, it has crippled us.

Me and my hubby don't get each other presents at Xmas, we do something nice in the new year and have a treat x.

We also bought an early family present in the shape of a ps4 this year to.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Our kids have got partners and have left home so what we have done for the last couple of years is secret Santa with a £20 limit then we can spend on the grandkids which is a lot more fun

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

To be honest I think my kids would be spoilt to an extent as I would have waited a long time to have them...hopefully I will have kids of my own one day

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have 3 kids, they will get £50 each cash and a couple of small gifts to unwrap. Their mother will give them the same. I don't buy cards or gifts for anyone else, instead I make donations to H4H and Dogs Trust....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't put a budget on how much I spend on my children for Christmas, I normally get one main present and then lots of little gifts as I like to watch them un wrap them all, they are older children, youngest being 15, I still like to spoil them no matter what age they are.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

At last count I am up to about £647 on my niece. Her folks don't have much so its nice to get her the things she likes.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My kids are grown up now but use to spend around £500 plus each on them, now 23 & 19 around £150 each but I do say every year £50 this year only but for me it's hard when u go out and see things you know they will like.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have one child, a 13yr old. He'll be getting trainers/a laptop/games for his Xbox. He's only getting the laptop as his current one's on it's last legs and he really needs it as a lot of homework's submitted through email now. I try not to think of the costs. It's not a competition

S x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have one child and between me and my parents we usually spend about £400 to £500 on him.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have one and have spent about €150 on her. Started buying early in the year through sales as wasnt working at the time so that she'd have good presents shed enjoy

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By *izzy RascallMan
over a year ago

Cardiff

"£250 for christmas?? its one day £50 is more than enough and even thats a lot"

Each to their own, this is one subject that only your own opinion counts - its personal

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm keen to teach my kids realistic values. So their toys are usually charity shop stuff or handed down from family . New stuff they get for christmas is usually something that looks big and exciting. . But doesn't cost the earth . I think being given expensive gifts will lead to disappointment when they've grown up and realised they can't just head out and hurl a few hundred quid on themselves or their loved ones. Of course they can decide to knuckle down at school and end up actually being well off. . So maybe it'll motivate them . I've never spent loads on my nephews . . As i think it would embarrass their parents

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We don't have kids but have quite a few young cousins under 10 in the family which we usually spend under £20 each on them the boys got nerf guns and the girls got dressing up stuff.

For our parents we try get more sentimental gifts that mean a lot

With each other it totally depends, last year I spent the majority of my savings on a engagement ring so Christmas took a back seat. Where as this year we can afford to splash out a bit.

My view is if the money is there then fair enough spend it and enjoy some nice things, but I don't understand going into debt to buy presents

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By *uddy and hollyCouple
over a year ago

Nottingham

2 years ago 55k on a deposit for a house for daughter and son-in-law and grankids 2 days befor xmas.this year we got them a car but we only ever had the one child

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 16/12/14 08:57:37]

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By *issHottieBottieWoman
over a year ago

Kent

I start getting bits and pieces all through the year. It's my lads birthday in feb so now Xmas is looming I'll get everything out and split it and half will get saved for his birthday. I have so many family birthdays in jan and feb that it's better for me to do it that way. I don't know how much I spend but I get a lot in the sales or on special offers and I save for those park vouchers which arrive early November and allow me to go to toys r us and get the main gifts for my nieces etc without having to spend cash.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

About £400 on each, xmas for us is all about family time and although some might argue that its a lot to spend, the kids are grateful and look after their stuff

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

40 bucks each yous x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"About £400 on each, xmas for us is all about family time and although some might argue that its a lot to spend, the kids are grateful and look after their stuff

Thing is by the time I have bought my boys a 3ds and a Swans kit each that's £250 each gone? without anything else. It may sound like a lot but it really doesn't go very far these days

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"£250 for christmas?? its one day £50 is more than enough and even thats a lot

Each to their own, this is one subject that only your own opinion counts - its personal"

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

"We don't have kids but have quite a few young cousins under 10 in the family which we usually spend under £20 each on them the boys got nerf guns and the girls got dressing up stuff.

For our parents we try get more sentimental gifts that mean a lot

With each other it totally depends, last year I spent the majority of my savings on a engagement ring so Christmas took a back seat. Where as this year we can afford to splash out a bit.

My view is if the money is there then fair enough spend it and enjoy some nice things, but I don't understand going into debt to buy presents "

Congratulations!

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

One thing I don't agree with is getting into debt for Christmas and spending the whole of the next year paying it off. If I only had a small amount of money then that's all he would get

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have 2 grown up boys but I do spoil them at Christmas. Items are expensive and my youngest son likes clothes from an online store called Drop Dead and for 2 items its cost me £140.

The other is having money but I have to get him presents too to open. Up to now I've probably spent £560.

I would never get into debt for Christmas and I work and save for it

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By *oxy lady 1Couple
over a year ago

oxford

We have 3 daughters and 1 granddaughter, and we spend about £150 on each of them, plus their partners, so they have some nice things to open. We always ask for ideas, as to what they want though. XxxxxxX

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By *icentiousCouple
over a year ago

Up on them there hills

Last year was expensive, however it included an iPad over and above their usual presents. This year is slightly more conservative, although the fem won't tell me how much the set of electric drums and keyboard cost.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Christmas is the time my children and now grandchildren get the special items you wouldn't buy on a daily basis. One year my daughter wanted her bedroom decorated,with all the accessories and carpet it came to over £400. Games consoles are bought at Christmas which they get a lot of use out of. Expensive trainers only get bought for birthdays and Christmas too. I can't put a figure on it but some years we spent over £1000 on our 3 children

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have 3 children ive spent between 80-100 on them each. I have a budget and stick to it.

My partner passed away in april so ive gt to tighten the purse strings even more

children need time not gifts x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My boys are having their rooms redecorated in the new year so have stuff for that. I don't have the money for big expensive presents so they have lots of smaller things that I can buy over the weeks / months before Christmas.

I also try to get quality over quantity. It used to make me cry when a couple of months after Christmas all the cheap crap got thrown away.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We buy throughout the year, but if they want something mega, then they put some of their birthday money towards it. They appreciate the present more.

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By *adybee77Woman
over a year ago

MAMOBA, miles and miles of bugger all (Aberdeenshire)

Normally the budget is about £100 - he's an only child and I'm a single mum. He doesn't get much the rest of the year, and I get bits over the course of the year too. His birthday is the start of january, and he gets about £50 then.

This year we got lucky and won a £150 amazon gift card a couple of weeks ago, so I spent half on him, and half on me so its definitely more presents than usual.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple
over a year ago

Hinckley

[Removed by poster at 16/12/14 11:56:54]

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By *oudnproudWoman
over a year ago

penrith

I just have the 1 child a boy of nearly 12 years.

I try and limit what I buy but I never stick to it. Chtistmas I love seeing him with total surprise.. of what might be under the tree..

This year we have dj decks which is what hes asked for were £300 + but got them at a reallu good price of £139.

And an x rocker gaming chair.

he also has 2 playstation games and a board game he has asked for.

a couple of smelly sets and some chocolate.

which is more than enough.

once my mum and sister have given also he might as well open a gift shop.

we go all out on birthdays though. Have a day out, a meal and lots of pressies xxx

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple
over a year ago

Hinckley

Eldest daughters...£50 between them and their partners.

Youngest daughter...£100 but often includes stuff she needs for Uni.

Grandkids...four of them, supposed to be £50 each but usually ends up being closer to £100.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ours our older now , 17 & 19.

My daughter just wants a couple of books and a DVD , my son some headphones. So about £50 on each.

It wasn't that much more when they were children.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No telling really as they are older and get things in the year too . When they need things yes we spoil them all .. But xmas may not be loads just lots of little things to open so they have a xmas stockings .

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Never totalled it and it would scare me if i did really.. each year ive said 'im not gonna go over the top' and i epically fail

She never asks for anything its all me just buying stuff.. i dont need to buy her love i just love buying things for her and the surprise element too it.

its her birthday on xmas eve so if i were to divide it up into 2 its not quite so bad..

theres lots of educational and practical things so its not just a nonsense gift.

she loves Frozen so quite a bit is along that theme.

like others she is an only child, if i had more than one the spend would be less. I work and buy throughout the year also

We are fortunate

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By *uslaffMan
over a year ago

manchester

"2 years ago 55k on a deposit for a house for daughter and son-in-law and grankids 2 days befor xmas.this year we got them a car but we only ever had the one child "

Just one car ?

I stash £30 a week all year and then we do christmas for £1500 and when that's gone it's gone. That pays for food,presents and 30 litres of Advocat.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I also have a Christmas child, born 27th. I do feel sorry for him as it's always lost in the Christmas rush.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I also have a Christmas child, born 27th. I do feel sorry for him as it's always lost in the Christmas rush."

I have one on the 26th she hates her birthday as she says it never feels like her birthday

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We were told we'd never have kids, so we go pretty mad on ours. I watch bargain websites constantly and stalk prices to get their stuff cheap so I can get more for them.

No clue how much I spend, as I buy bits through the year. It's a fair bit though.

It buys us maybe 1-2 days of solid peace. It's bliss. No fighting. No arguments or meltdowns.

The one thing I'm terrified of, is if I get it wrong. Last birthday, one asked for something last minute the day before. I didn't think much of it. But then he ripped open all his presents, ignored them and just shouted at me, asking where this other thing was!

Grrr. Love autism. It's great.

This year we've spent a long time trying to manage their expectations in advance.

Tis the season for lots of meltdowns, tra la la la la la la la laaaaaa...

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

We never set out with a budget but if we spend £250 on one then it's gotta be on all, When we were young we had a Cadbury's selection box between 5 of us........

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By *ucsparkMan
over a year ago

dudley

"I have 3 children ive spent between 80-100 on them each. I have a budget and stick to it.

My partner passed away in april so ive gt to tighten the purse strings even more

children need time not gifts x"

Glad your head is screwed on, hope you all have a great Christmas. Much Love Nucs xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I also have a Christmas child, born 27th. I do feel sorry for him as it's always lost in the Christmas rush.

I have one on the 26th she hates her birthday as she says it never feels like her birthday "

27th also used to be 'handover day' when the kids would go/come back from their dad's so the day was split in half. Changed it last year tho to whoever has them Christmas gets them his bday too.

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By *ucsparkMan
over a year ago

dudley

My parents and sisters spoil mine like mad which I really do not like. She gets one main present and a few small off me. I was really happy the other day when she asked if she could share her presents with children who didn't have much.

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By *adgodCouple
over a year ago

Greensburg

Too much. Every year. They are worth it though, just dont tell them I said so.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Too much. Every year. They are worth it though, just dont tell them I said so. "

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By *icked weaselCouple
over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

All our kid wanted was an Apple..

Cheap Christmas this year..

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