Money on presents for kids for xmas

wobblyknees

How much is too little or too much? Is €150 each enough? 200? I'm talking young kids here, between the ages of 2 & 9.

davet82

wobblyknees wrote: »

How much is too little or too much? Is €150 each enough? 200? I'm talking young kids here, between the ages of 2 & 9.

whatever you can afford and within in reason, each to their own

Lola92

Buy them something that they will use and like, or alternatively something they requested. Why does it matter how much you spend?

Where To

A euro is too little and a million is too much.

Somewhere in between I'd say.

1ZRed

Give them a box. They'll love it

jessiejam

I find the younger ones get more of a kick out of lots of little things than one or two big things.

you can get a lot of little things for the smallies for €200

MagicMarker

150 quid on a feckin' 2 year old?

Give the kid a rag to play with and give me the 150 quid and I'll put it to better use, like wiping my arse with it.

SunnyDub1

Kids get to much these days IMO.

Recession Pfffft :rolleyes:

My 8 year old niece is looking for an Ipad off santa - yes my 8 year old niece :rolleyes:

syklops

Is €150 each enough?

If you give presents to the value of 150 quid to a four year old, he or she will be expecting gifts valuing a couple of grand by the time they are 8.

Edit:SunnyDub has demonstrated my theory.

Moonbeam

It depends on what they want.
I spent roughly 120 in total on both of mine this year.
There are a lot of bargains out there and at that age I have found bikes are the only big present that they want and there is great value on amazon and in tkmaxx and even the toy shops.

Lawrence1895

When I was a child, I was happy enough to get a present worth 50 Deutschmarks of the parents, plus 20 quid each of the grannies. Times have changed, I suppose :rolleyes:

(50 Deutschmarks would be in and around 25 Euros)

Duggy747

Scaletrix!

I had a Nigel Mansell one, twas great :pac:

A2LUE42

Money shouldn't be the decider. Its not like you would have a spreadsheet and have to spend the same on both. You can get something like this (http://www.toys.ie/John-Deere-Tractor-Trailer-and-Loader-!103128-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=ae1c1555-3b8c-4dc2-b27b-317c593d6d12) for a 2 year old for €89.99. That and a few little things should be plenty. The 2 year old would probably spend the day playing with the box anyway. Some megabloks for €10 is always a hit also.

for a nine year old ask him

for the baby a elmo cookie monster toy hes for 17 lol

dark crystal

I have 4 kids and I'll be spending around €200 between them all. €200 each just seems crazy to me!

Denise2012

What I plan on doing is getting one big thing e.g a bike and few small things like art and crafts and books stuff like that.

eviltwin

100 euros on my 15 yr old. Its not normally that much but she has been saving all year for the Wii U and is short the 100 quid so I decided to give her the extra.

50 euros on my 3 yr old. A child that age has no concept of the value or amount of stuff they get anyway.

Death and Taxes

about three fiddy!:D
No seriously, I have 3 teengers ranging from 13 to almost 17, Christmas will me about €2,500 or so.

fishy fishy

wobblyknees wrote: »

How much is too little or too much? Is €150 each enough? 200? I'm talking young kids here, between the ages of 2 & 9.

300 - 400 Euro for two kids under the age of 10???

seriously??

what a waste.

wobblyknees

Thanks for all the responses, just interested in a finger in the air idea of opinions and to be honest it confirms how I feel about the whole thing. The suggestion is that €600 should be spent on four kids between the age of 2 + 9 (2, 5, 8, 9). I don't agree and think it's too much. I love the idea of loads of little things for the youngest kids for example.

ash23

I never had a set amount per se, just bought what I thought they would use and like.

I've one child so could always spend a bit more than if I'd two or three. Spent less when she was smaller because things were cheaper. But as she gets older, technology comes into the fore.

Last year I probably spent about 300 because she got a 3DS. But I sold her old ds and some of her old toys to pay towards it.

She'd love an ipad (although hasn't asked santa for one) and I'd probably get it if I could afford it. But I can't so it will be games for the ds and some books and clothes and toys.

oc_pl

I've spent 500 euros on my 9 year old and about 100 on my 1 year old

SunnyDub1

oc_pl wrote: »

I've spent 500 euros on my 9 year old and about 100 on my 1 year old

500 :eek: what did you buy ?

oc_pl

Beats headphones, an android phone, a load of lego and some other bits.

ArtyM

Best thing you can give a kid before Christmas? - An Argos catalog!
They will browse through them for f**kin days, lost in an blissful imaginary world of wonder and hope.
They will tell you they stuff they like, and the stuff they want the most. Its easy to seperate the two cause their eyes get all buggy and they start to spit and salivate when describing the really good stuff. They can also occasionally forget to breathe.
And you know the best thing, in most cases the stuff they pick is often much cheaper than the stuff you may think they want.

wobblyknees

oc_pl wrote: »

I've spent 500 euros on my 9 year old and about 100 on my 1 year old

Wow, thats a lot. What did you spend 500 on? Something electrical?

Whatsernamex33

I wouldn't go any higher than 50 euro on my younger sister. It's a ridiculous amount of money to be spending as the toy may end up broken or unplayed with. You can get so many toys out of fifty euro that would give the child more fun, than one big toy that'll get boring after a while.

wobblyknees

ArtyM wrote: »

Best thing you can give a kid before Christmas? - An Argos catalog!
They will browse through them for f**kin days, lost in an blissful imaginary world of wonder and hope.
They will tell you they stuff they like, and the stuff they want the most. Its easy to seperate the two cause their eyes get all buggy and they start to spit and salivate when describing the really good stuff. They can also occasionally forget to breathe.
And you know the best thing, in most cases the stuff they pick is often much cheaper than the stuff you may think they want.

Haha. It seems as though the Argos catalogue has become central to the whole xmas experience.

anncoates

About a thousand on each kid.

And discuss it loudly in public so other people will hear.

ash23

Are we talking about gifts for nieces, nephews, siblings etc? Or parents spending on gifts (including those from the man himself)?

I only spend a tenner on nieces and nephews and friends kids, 40-50 on my godchild and a few hundred on my own child.

oc_pl

wobblyknees wrote: »

Wow, thats a lot. What did you spend 500 on? Something electrical?

He's getting Beats headphone and a phone. They were the most expensive items.

0ph0rce0

SunnyDub1 wrote: »

Kids get to much these days IMO.

Recession Pfffft :rolleyes:

My 8 year old niece is looking for an Ipad off santa - yes my 8 year old niece :rolleyes:

That's what my 8 year old daughter got last year, I was thinking cheap tablet but kids these days aren't ****ing stupid, they know. Surprised it lasted this long too.

Gets great use out of it.

tayto lover

Spend about 70e on them on a variety of toys and books. They will appreciate books and it will exercise their brains. Building blocks or Maccano are great toys and they will get many hours enjoyment from them.
Stimulate the mind. It is too early to give money until they are teenagers.

Conall Cernach

In my experience kids love grown up stuff so just steal a pile of stuff from work and give it to them. Staplers, label makers, markers, power tools etc. the kids will love it.

wobblyknees

ash23 wrote: »

Are we talking about gifts for nieces, nephews, siblings etc? Or parents spending on gifts (including those from the man himself)?

I only spend a tenner on nieces and nephews and friends kids, 40-50 on my godchild and a few hundred on my own child.

Parents spending on own kids. Just interested to see what others approach was.

Celly Smunt

Ireland 1990 world cup subbuteo with the italians.

Best christmas ever.


on another note,why have people going tablet crazy?,all it is,is a piece of **** Laptop with a touchscreen.

0ph0rce0

QUALITY TIP

last year while in smyths I noticed if your a traveller you can just walk out with trolley loads of stuff and they say nothing. And I mean trolley loads.


So this year I'm not washing for 2 weeks, going up in my black shoes, brown chords and nicest shirt and talk like a traveller and see how far I get.

Hopefully I wont have to spend a penny



*Not All Travellers Do It

Eathrin

I'd like to think that when I'm a parent, I'll be spending reasonable money on my kids at Christmas to buy things like books, sporting goods and video games*.
Buying mind-stimulating toys like LEGO, Mechanno or KNEX for toddlers can do them a world of good.

I think it's really important to stimulate children's minds from a young age.
I don't think buying an iPad for a 9 year old is good for the child's development, regardless of how much money I may have.
*And I include video games as in all honesty some kids might just not appreciate getting books and a football so it'd be nice to get something that they were hoping to get! Not because it's good for the kid.

SunnyDub1

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

That's what my 8 year old daughter got last year, I was thinking cheap tablet but kids these days aren't ****ing stupid, they know. Surprised it lasted this long too.

Gets great use out of it.

Santa doesn't even own one :P so she wont be getting it.

IMO apple is just a brand.
My sister is currently shopping around in different electrical stores and online to find something similar with the same functions (loads to choose from)
She will easily find something for half if not a third of the price then what she would spend on an ipad.

Sure stick an apple sticker on the device and I'm sure the 8 year old won't know any difference :P

Eathrin

Conall Cernach wrote: »

In my experience kids love grown up stuff so just steal a pile of stuff from work and give it to them. Staplers, label makers, markers, power tools etc. the kids will love it.

Nothing was more fun than labelling everything in the house!
When my mother worked in the bank, she would bring us home these cheap card wallets. While they kept us happy, we would then go and steal all her cards just so we had something to fill them with

anncoates

Obviously spending a huge amount on a kid is silly but it should be about what they want and what they'll like rather than the price.

Spending about 50 on my 2 year-old and about 150 on the 4 year-old.

0ph0rce0

Eathrin wrote: »

*And I include video games as in all honesty some kids might just not appreciate getting books and a football so it'd be nice to get something that they were hoping to get! Not because it's good for the kid.

I'm all for that myself, kids get forced to like and get ****e that parents think is whats best for them and what they will learn from it and what not, Yes its a good idea but Its Christmas, it comes but once a year, its a time in their life they want to enjoy.

And getting just books and poxy clothes just aint fun, well kids like books, mine do anyway but you know what I mean

guinang

A2LUE42 wrote: »

Money shouldn't be the decider. Its not like you would have a spreadsheet and have to spend the same on both. You can get something like this (http://www.toys.ie/John-Deere-Tractor-Trailer-and-Loader-!103128-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=ae1c1555-3b8c-4dc2-b27b-317c593d6d12) for a 2 year old for €89.99. That and a few little things should be plenty. The 2 year old would probably spend the day playing with the box anyway. Some megabloks for €10 is always a hit also.

+1. I bought two of these for my 3 year old twins birthday (well slightly bigger ones, but much the same thing). The two tractors went out the back garden after an hour. We cut two windows and a door out of each box and they played in them for a week. 240 euro (bigger ones, remember) lesson there.

They use them now, but its' only now I appreciate the sh1t my parents use to come out with when we didn't show enough appreciation for the toys they'd just bought us.

bullvine

My 9 year old Daughter is getting a Nexus 7 tablet and a few other bits, probably cost in the region of 300. Personally, I dont see it as too much to spend on a 9 year old. Most of her class are getting tablet or ipads. She didn't get anything big last year, just a lot of small presents. 3 year old son is getting a new balance bike and a few bits, he'll cost around 100, only spent about 40 on him last year.

The 2 main gifts they are getting I know they will really use. So its worth it from my point of view.

It might seem like much but compared what other people I know are spending its nothing.

BillyMitchel

Every year I get the charity cards and buy a cow and the likes as part of presents and one time I got my son (he's was about 7) a goat and a cow for a village and he loved the idea and must of kept a photo of a cow and goat up on his walls for about two years and always tells people about the time he helped the poor in Africa!!

It would never be more than 200 maybe 250 on presents and I'd try to keep it as mentally stimulating for him but its getting harder every year with all these games and stuff out.

My sister on the other hand is a complete disaster, she starts saving in January and goes mental come December. Already this year he'll get the new Black Op's, Fifa 13, and Assassins Creed, Dre Beats and the new Sony Experia for her 12 year old!!

I do feel like such a facking pov sitting there beside them xmas morning

Eathrin

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

I'm all for that myself, kids get forced to like and get ****e that parents think is whats best for them and what they will learn from it and what not, Yes its a good idea but Its Christmas, it comes but once a year, its a time in their life they want to enjoy.

And getting just books and poxy clothes just aint fun, well kids like books, mine do anyway but you know what I mean

Some kids would go mad for more books but I guess that's just down to parents encouraging constructive pastimes from a young age!

It's not that I didn't appreciate the socks and the toothbrush.....
It's just that I would have disappointed if that was the lot:D

Maggie 2

€20 to €25 for the little one and €50 on the older one is plenty. At their ages, they won't know any different. Get one biggish pressie and as many little things as possible. Wrap everything singly, so they have loads to open. I always got my lads clothes, socks, underpants, teeshirts, pyjamas, dressign gowns etc. Things they would need. I'm very sad - I usually buy these after Christmas for the following year, so they'll be christmassy!

Super hoop

Xmas presents for the kids this year.the 2 youngest (2&3) are getting 7" tablets.they cost just over €100 EACH. plus some stocking filler books blocks etc.the eldest (14) is getting a gaming chair that costs €150 and €50 playstation credit.so in total that's around €400 on em.

jessiejam

wobblyknees wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses, just interested in a finger in the air idea of opinions and to be honest it confirms how I feel about the whole thing. The suggestion is that €600 should be spent on four kids between the age of 2 + 9 (2, 5, 8, 9). I don't agree and think it's too much. I love the idea of loads of little things for the youngest kids for example.

Try Ebay too for things. I am doing my 4 year olds bed room in mario for xmas going to do it xmas eve so when he wakes he will think santa magically transformed the room overnight.

did the whole thing including 2 quilt cover sets and curtains for €100. got loads of stickers and figures, little mushroom night lights, a mario clock and height chart as well from hong kong for next to nothing.

The room needs to be updated anyway so he asked for a mario bedroom for xmas. Sorted

soap1978

Maggie 2 wrote: »

€20 to €25 for the little one and €50 on the older one is plenty. At their ages, they won't know any different. Get one biggish pressie and as many little things as possible. Wrap everything singly, so they have loads to open. I always got my lads clothes, socks, underpants, teeshirts, pyjamas, dressign gowns etc. Things they would need. I'm very sad - I usually buy these after Christmas for the following year, so they'll be christmassy!

u sound like great fun around xmas.

Ghost Buster

I have eight nieces and nephews not to mention my own two kids. The nieces and nephews get presents to the value of €20 max.:cool: