How much to Spend on GF of 6 Months for Christmas

Pivot Eoin

Just wondering what to do here.

Already got my GF a GHD Hair Straightener, a nice silver Bracelet and New Gym Runners. Will pick up a few smaller trinkets and bits of make up etc.

Is that alright?

mods feel free to move, as this is hardly a big stressful issue.

Thanks,

E.

woodchuck

OP that sounds like MORE than enough!! You must be well into 3 figure already. Don't spend any more just for the sake of it.

Personally I think couples can set a dangerous precedent spending large amounts of money on each other so early in a relationship. It can just lead to bigger and bigger presents each year, leading to financial stress. It also puts pressure on the other person to "match" the amount spent on presents. Have you discussed a budget with your girlfriend?

Ursus Horribilis

Cripes!!! That was my first reaction when I read through that list of presents. You must have money to burn. Does your girlfriend?

To me, you've spent way over the odds and are already in overkill territory with what you've bought her. But that's just me. Have you discussed a budget with her? There's every chance her present for you won't be as lavish as yours and it'll put pressure on her for next time. Where will it stop?

GingerLily

You've spent at least 300e already, all those items are easily over 100e (a GHD is 130e) , too much IMO.

Get her trinkets if you want but I would consider that gift too much for a 6 month relationship.

She'll either be embarrassed that you over spent, or she may start taking your generosity for granted going forward.

LolaJJ

Pivot Eoin wrote: »

Just wondering what to do here.

Already got my GF a GHD Hair Straightener, a nice silver Bracelet and New Gym Runners. Will pick up a few smaller trinkets and bits of make up etc.

Is that alright?

mods feel free to move, as this is hardly a big stressful issue.

Thanks,

E.

What you have got already is fine! Girls like to be spoiled but not overkill....

"Bits of makeup etc" I have yet to meet a man who was brave enough to attempt this....:)

osarusan

It's a bit late, but might still be worth a discussion on budget. It will be awkward for both of you if what you give her obviously cost multiples of what she gives you.

If you've already spent more than an agreed-on budget, you can either return things or save them for a birthday or whatever.

Dalomanakora

Seriously don't buy anything else for her. You've gone totally overboard already. I'd be really really uncomfortable if a boyfriend of only 6 months gave me that much stuff!



Leave it as it is, I'd possibly even return something cause I really do think you've gone very overboard. But don't add to it.



Might be a good idea to discuss budgets for presents too, because you may end up sorely disappointed if she spends 50 quid to your hundreds (but fifty would be more appropriate!).

WarpAsylum

Way overboard.

I'd even consider putting something there aside for her birthday. It's just too much.

gwalk

This thread has now made me think I've spent far too much

some of it may be kept for valentines and if any left overs they can go towards her birthday

amdublin

Omg just give one of those items to her. And the next for Valentine's and the next for her birthday

It's way way too much. What do you do for her birthday when you've given her everything she needs/wants for Christmas??!!!

Ps. Not to take away that you sound veey thoughtful!

GingerLily

Keep the jewellery for Valentines! Sorted!!

amdublin

GingerLily wrote: »

Keep the jewellery for Valentines! Sorted!!

That's a good idea actually.

Give the ghd and runners for Xmas (even though imo that's a lot)

Jewellery for Valentine's

And a lovely card for each of those occasions.

And then see later for her birthday.

Happy Christmas! Enjoy with your new girlfriend

c.p.w.g.w

Should have got a cloud 9 they are better than ghd...But you definitely have went overboard

silverharp

Reminds me of the Sheldon Penny scene in Big Ban Theory. Anymore than one present would seem odd imo, give her one of the items and put the others away for another time.

witchgirl26

I'd also agree with everyone here. I think it's a huge amount to give someone you've only been with 6 months. Spread it out.

Also just on the make-up - be careful about buying make-up for her unless she's mentioned something specific. I know I'd be quite fussy about make-up I wear and buy and don't want some random bits bought for me as I won't use them and it's a waste of the persons money.

Unanimous

Pivot Eoin wrote: »

Just wondering what to do here.

Already got my GF a GHD Hair Straightener, a nice silver Bracelet and New Gym Runners. Will pick up a few smaller trinkets and bits of make up etc.

Is that alright?

mods feel free to move, as this is hardly a big stressful issue.

Thanks,

E.

Very good choices OP! I would love that if it were me. You could add more if you want but try to stay away from make up as make up is one complicated thing.
The big names are not always the best in make up. Plus some things just don't work for everyone so it's risky trying to surprise her cos it may be a miss. Except you want to go for something she already uses. You could also get a saloon voucher if you want to give her something appearance related.
She can now choose the hair cut, colour or style she wants.
Also like others have mentioned, what you have is enough as well.
Good luck

Dial Hard

Unanimous wrote:

Very good choices OP! I would love that if it were me. You could add more if you want but try to stay away from make up as make up is one complicated thing. The big names are not always the best in make up. Plus some things just don't work for everyone so it's risky trying to surprise her cos it may be a miss. Except you want to go for something she already uses. You could also get a saloon voucher if you want to give her something appearance related. She can now choose the hair cut, colour or style she wants. Also like others have mentioned, what you have is enough as well. Good luck

Seriously, OP, don't add more. Don't even give her everything you've bought so far.

Jessie Belle

I'd be over the moon with those gifts. More than enough though. Lucky girl

Ursus Horribilis

I'd be mortified, to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I like a present and I'm not a tightwad. But multiple expensive gifts like that would make me feel very uncomfortable. I wouldn't go as far as to say it'd ruin my day but it'd bother me.

retro:electro

Yeah I’d be embarrassed to receive that much. My first Christmas with my bf he bought me a hot water bottle and a dressing gown! The GHD is plenty. Keep the rest and give them for Vals day as suggested or her birthday. Maybe bring her for dinner if you want something extra. No need to go mental.

heroics

I think it’s all relevant to what you can afford. Personally I wouldn’t think a couple of hundred is too much for a Christmas present. Trying to remember why i got my wife the first Christmas after I met her and it was prob 3-400€. I could afford it and wanted to spoil her. (She got me an Xbox from what I remember)

I wouldn’t go into debt over a present though. Also as some posters have said it can be embarrassing if one person spends a lot and one doesn’t.

LolaJJ

I just had a flashback to a guy I was seeing (yes, seeing, not official) for about a month when Christmas rolled around. I presumed we wouldn't be doing gifts...didn't even bother getting him a card! Next thing he's whacking out a bag from Fields Jewellers with a Gucci watch in it....

I almost chocked on my wine. I then had to panic buy a load of crap and I just resented him so much because it was inappropriate, I was young.

Hilariously he broke up with me 3 weeks later as he was freaking out at how quickly things were moving

Obviously 6 months is very different! Just try and anticipate what she might spend or can afford so neither of you feel outdone.

witchgirl26

LolaJJ wrote: »

I just had a flashback to a guy I was seeing (yes, seeing, not official) for about a month when Christmas rolled around. I presumed we wouldn't be doing gifts...didn't even bother getting him a card! Next thing he's whacking out a bag from Fields Jewellers with a Gucci watch in it....

I almost chocked on my wine. I then had to panic buy a load of crap and I just resented him so much because it was inappropriate, I was young.

Hilariously he broke up with me 3 weeks later as he was freaking out at how quickly things were moving

Obviously 6 months is very different! Just try and anticipate what she might spend or can afford so neither of you feel outdone.

I had a similar thing - slight difference in age between me and an-boyfriend, he was working, I was still in college and not working as much. Seeing each other a couple of months come Christmas and I bought him a CD of his favourite band and he bought me a white gold and diamond necklace! I was mortified. Less so when he dumped me 3 days into the New Year. Kept the necklace.

heroics wrote: »

I think it’s all relevant to what you can afford. Personally I wouldn’t think a couple of hundred is too much for a Christmas present. Trying to remember why i got my wife the first Christmas after I met her and it was prob 3-400€. I could afford it and wanted to spoil her. (She got me an Xbox from what I remember)

I wouldn’t go into debt over a present though. Also as some posters have said it can be embarrassing if one person spends a lot and one doesn’t.

See that's the thing, if there's a disparity in how much each is spending, despite affordability of one, it can be awkward especially at the start. We never went mad on expensive gifts at Christmas or even birthdays unless they were significant ones. I'd prefer to get less and it mean more. Last year I got runners and some make-up I really wanted. Was chuffed to bits!

Pivot Eoin

Thanks all for the replies.

Spoke to the GF last night and she said she's already spent 250e and looking to buy 3 more things! I told her she was mad and to stop there but is what it is.

So at least we're both on the same page.

E

Dial Hard

Each to their own, obviously, and if you're both happy then that's all that matters, but I think spending that amount on eachother is a ridiculous precedent to be setting. Sorry.

TCM

Break it off and go 'crawling' back in January. Problem solved.

retro:electro

If ye can afford it then each to their own. Whatever makes you happy. But just keep in mind that you’re setting a baseline that will more than likely be expected to be succeeded each year. I guess some couples are just more materialistic than others.

amdublin

This is reminding me of a friend of mine. On their first anniversary she bought him a (very) expensive watch. He bought her a trip to New York. These pair were not mad rich or anything, just your average office workers

I was like. Holy hell want do you do at 5 years or 10 years when you've done that at 1. As in (a) how do you top it and (b) how do you pay for it all!!

At least you are on the same page op but jeepers you're looking at a lot of money in presents and gifts for the rest of.the relationship.

It wouldn't be for me. But that really is irrelevant I guess.

Have a lovely Christmas!

wiggle16

amdublin wrote: »

Omg just give one of those items to her. And the next for Valentine's and the next for her birthday

It's way way too much. What do you do for her birthday when you've given her everything she needs/wants for Christmas??!!!

Ps. Not to take away that you sound veey thoughtful!

Agreed!

Give her the hair straightener for christmas (as others have said that's a pricey model, it's well enough by itself!). Give her the bracelet for Valentines. The runners for her birthday.