Christmas spending

[LifeOfRiley]

I have three children and that was £300 per child. In that are clothes. Me and my husband don’t usually buy each other anything as we will buy what we want when we are together during Christmas. My Mum I spent £50 (she never wants much) - MIL the same and £100 for BIL and nephew.
That’s my family.
Food is around £300 extra on our weekly shop but we usually host everyone for dinner as we have the biggest house.
I have already done my shopping for presents just needs wrapping

 

[Milfordcubicle]

4 kids, 2 kids partners, dinner for 8, 3 nieces/nephews, 4 elderlies, 1 sibling and sibling in law. Budget this year £2000 not including presents for husband and me from each other
literally have it in a seperate account and kids know budget and choose accordingly (bearing in mind all my ”kids” are teens and adults now)

 

[Nosymum]

Please tell me your trick in finding Centre Parcs for that price?!

It all depends when you want to go a weeks difference can result in price being £400 or £1200 obv school holidays and summer are much more expensive but we are going last week in September 3 bedroom lodge i don’t choose where it is as that’s extra. We take our own bikes/food etc and just do swimming and bike rides as that’s what we enjoy sometimes hire a boat but it’s all the extras that make it so much more expensive.

 

[Nosymum]

This sounds lovely. About the only time of the year I wish I had children. Because if I wanted to go on this breakfast with Santa people would just think weirdo and hide their kids Honestly would book myself for a Santa’s grotto, I’m such a kid

If you have a friend with a child go with them! Someone needs to do an adults Santa grotto. Xx

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

Especially with the cost of living crisis which is bad enough already and is going to get far far worse.


Sounds like you had very balanced and sensible parents. The mickey taker is probably up to her eyeballs in debt by now.

It was just my mum to be fair. Single parent and no financial help from my dad. My mum was never one to go into debt for Christmas, she felt I didn’t need that many gifts

 

[coconochanel]

£300 doesn't go far now but if the kids are old enough to understand that then it shouldn't be a problem. Anyway I spend £30 on each adult-aunts, uncles, cousins etc and about £150 on parents/OH.

 

[watermelon sugar]

Don't want to derail this thread, but is there one where we can discuss present ideas and ask for help picking something out? I'm crap at this stuff and I already feel like I'm running behind this year, I don't have any gifts and no idea what to get for anybody. A bit of inspo wouldn't hurt!

there’s a thread about christmas here and people have posted questions for inspiration and have been a good help

Christmas Watch 2022 #2

👋 a second thread! We left off at the last thread with people discussing who they’re buying for & whether or not they’re putting out a wreath… so continue 🎄🌲🤶🏻🎅🧑‍🎄

tattle.life

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I suppose it's a Western thing isn't it to see an overdraft as funds available when really historically, if you didn't have the cash in your hand, you didn't have it. I mean totally up to the individual what debt they do or don't want to get themselves into, but I do find it sad that £300 is considered to "not get you much", how do we define much? You can get such lovely stuff for so little, books for a couple of quid in charity shops, clothes and toys similar on Vinted etc. But yes certainly if you want new, plastic stuff that's 'in' or high tech, it's going to cost you. If you can afford it and want to do so, then absolutely fair enough, but it is depressing to me people feel pressured or get themselves into financial bother over it.

It’s just ignorant, irresponsible spending. People seem to be unaware that an overdraft or credit card is debt. If you are using them to buy something then that indicates that you cannot afford whatever it is you are buying. And when it’s to spend £300 x 5 on childrens gifts for Christmas it’s just stupid. And it then be overdrawn for MONTHS afterwards it just blows my mind that people can be that stupid.

 

[penelope15]

I spend £300 each on my children six of them
£50 each on in laws
And £20 each on sil kids

 

[JSquared]

Am I the only one who will be glad when the whole thing is over?

I love Christmas but the older I get, and now I’ve moved out, it’s getting more stressful!

 

[Happy Lady]

I never know how much I'll end up spending. If I see things throughout the year, then I buy them. Come Black Friday I enjoy shopping for a bargain - not that though. For instance I once bought my daughter a beautiful Michael Kors bag for 50% from one of their outlets. She loved it and still uses it. Another time I was in The Perfume Shop and bought six perfume/aftershave gift sets that were on offer - beautiful scents, gratefully received.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

You say that like things won't come up out the blue, people can save all they want an then the boiler can pack in or their car might need repairs, can't exactly tell the kids oh sorry this year you can't get things because the cars mot failed especially when they might still be at a age they think santa brings everything

People do get into financial bother an it isn't fair to shame them for it when it's companys being greedy, do trainers need to be £80 when they probably get made for £5.. no, do consoles that probably only cost £100 to make need to be £500...no, should all these social sites with these "influences" be allowed to market overpriced shit towards kids that's cheap for them to make.. Of course not, but it happens

I might not be a parent but I do feel damn sorry for those parents that do struggle financially because they still want their kid to get that one thing they want even if it means an overdraft

You are missing the point though. You can’t spend what you haven’t got. Yes of course sometimes shit happens and best laid plans go to the wall but my point was that it’s irresponsible to deliberately put yourself into debt - to actively plan to do it - at Christmas just because you’ve decided you HAVE to spend hundreds of pounds on nonessential stuff. It’s ludicrous! I just can’t understand that mentality. Or that parents HAVE to spend over their budget because the kids want whatever they want. Hell no. That shows that the kids are spoiled, entitled little brats.

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Xmas growing up was more about the religious aspect and family. And it’s still like that with my side of the family.

Mr Lolz family was a complete shock. The excess is mind blowing to me and these aren’t people with lots of money.

We give £100 cash to everybody plus about a £50 gift spend per person for 9 people and then £200 cash for his parents plus a gift spend.

I tend to pick things up throughout the year if I think they’ll like it. Like this year I bought my FIL a metal detector for £30, he loves a gadget

 

[coconochanel]

They may want it but that doesn’t automatically mean they are going to get whatever they want.

I never said it was.

 

[CrystalWench]

I think it’ll be about £250 for my son, but I only buy for him. I don’t have parents or grandparents. Siblings have never got for each other or our children as it was far too expensive (8 siblings countless in-laws and nieces and nephews). Friends have said no this year, all very much trying our best for our own immediate family. Food I don’t do much as it’s just 4 of us, last year was maybe £100. Biggest problem is my sons birthday is days before Christmas…bad timing! Good news is he hates parties!

 

[Millie2023]

We don’t have a budget as such, but we don’t spend lots. One DD, who’s not really into expensive stuff (may change as she gets older of course!). 2 x parents, each other and a few token gifts for friends
Food- I usually prep stuff ahead and cook myself, but it’s been a shit year, so we may do an M&S foil tray Christmas, which will be a little more expensive!

 

[Shinealight]

You spend £800 on a 6 year old and a 2 year old?!! On what exactly?! You realise a 2 year old doesn’t have any real comprehension of Christmas and won’t even remember any of it….!
That’s madness.

It really is, total madness really.
I don’t even buy Christmas presents for my grandchildren as they get enough from their parents and other relatives, they get a cash gift that I insist their parents put in their savings accounts.
Hopefully they’ll thank me when they turn 18, or maybe they won’t I don’t really mind either way.

 

[August]

surely you would have showed him the tommy hilfiger coat doubt he’s researching designer brands in his spare time

My brother shows him clothes/trainers.

 

[mary11]

Normally spend around £800 each on my two kids (6,2). Around £50 each on parents and then £30 each on nieces and nephews. £300 on food and drink.

 

[mrs.darcy]

This is the first Christmas I'm not hosting, middle daughter is doing the honours this year, so I'm not really food shopping.

I have 3 grown-up children and the budget for them and their partners is £150 per couple. They aren't buying for each other this year due to the rising living costs.

I've started the Christmas shopping but nowhere near finished. I also save money every month to buy presents etc.