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Child Item

santa...whats aresonable amount to spend on kids

lisa.c

just did the santa shop have one child spent €420....

is this to much?
not enough?
just right?

what do you all spend and your kids?
when do you realise its time to stop that they got enough!!!!

i feel i want to fill the room with pressies but i know this is wrong. i did good this year by sticking to a list. but its just so god damm hard to stop buying santa pressies!!!:o

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Mossy Monk

Aisling(",) wrote:

I think 420 is around right because I know myself how unfair you think it is when most people in your class have gotten more then you for christmas

that's crazy. its all money money money these days

Wertz

I dunno...the child in question seems pretty young, going by the list of booty...in my experience kids that young get more fun out of the boxes come Stephen's day.

I'm an only child and although it's a long time since santy came, I used do pretty well, relevant to what could be afforded...but not when I was as young as what the OP's child appears to be; at those ages less is more. Seems to me that christamas presents have turned into yet another "keeping up with the Jones' " items; ie. that they aren't bought solely for the child but also as an outward expression of how well you're doing financially...as others have said, this isn't what chirstmas is or should be about...

LegacyUser

Aisling(",) wrote:

I'm 14 .... I know myself how unfair you think it is when most people in your class have gotten more then you for christmas

WE're talking about Santa presents here .. 14 .. a little old ... thats a lot to be asking for Christmas.

Reaver772

340 on christmas clothes? the only clothes your supposed to get at christmas is a wolly sweater from a batty old aunt that turns out to be so horrific that when your forced to wear it you envy the blind.

Aisling(",)

oh yeah sorry went a little of track there I'd say my mam and Dad would spend around 250 on toys.for children 250 is enough.I used to spend around 5 minutes playing with my toys on christmas day and the rest of the day in the boxes

Nasty_Girl

Wertz wrote:

Seems to me that christamas presents have turned into yet another "keeping up with the Jones' " items

That's it exacty.

Aisling(",) wrote:

I know myself how unfair you think it is when most people in your class have gotten more then you for christmas

You sound like you're doing pretty well to me. 340 on clothes!!

Ron DMC

Hehe, just saw the thread and for some reason my twisted mind read
"santa...whats ARSONable....."

Giblet

lisa.c wrote:

buckaroo,operatiom and guess who

Any kid would be happy with those!

Aishling your 15? Do you not feel a little too old to be asking for 350 euro worth of stuff? I think my parents are buying me some t-shirts this year and I'm getting myself the new Xbox.

Aisling(",)

Nasty_Girl wrote:

That's it exacty.You sound like you're doing pretty well to me. 340 on clothes!!

I don't acctually get a lot of clothes but my mam thinks its better to spend money on good quality items such as boots and jacket because I get loads of wear out of them am still wearing my christmas clothes now a year later

Nasty_Girl

Aisling(",) wrote:

I don't acctually get a lot of clothes but my mam thinks its better to spend money on good quality items such as boots and jacket because I get loads of wear out of them am still wearing my christmas clothes now a year later

Well its good if you do actually wear them all year but 340 still makes me feel faint.....

Aisling(",)

Giblet wrote:

Any kid would be happy with those!

Aishling your 15? Do you not feel a little too old to be asking for 350 euro worth of stuff? I think my parents are buying me some t-shirts this year and I'm getting myself the new Xbox.

I'm not allowed get a job to be able to buy stuff for myself there is only one time a year when i can get a big present because they think birthdays are small deals.

Goodshape

Aisling(",) wrote:

I'm 14 and am getting a psp which is around 250 and the games are 45 or 50 each.So I'd say my mam and dad will spend around 350 on that.but then there are my christmas clothes which was near 340 last year.(I'm the baby of the family by 9 years so am a little spoilt) and all my friends think I'm hard done by.They will also give me my pocket money as well as money for presents for my freinds etc and spending money for going out.I think 420 is around right because I know myself how unfair you think it is when most people in your class have gotten more then you for christmas

So Aisling, you're getting 350 on gifts plus 340 on clothes plus pocket money and money for presents AND money for 'going out'?! And you're friends think you're "hard done by"??

Jesus H. Christ... get new friends to be honest.

When I was your age the clothes were the bloody christmas present (more or less) and aside from a little bit extra maybe, the pocket money was the going out money and 'present money'... how much does a 14 year old need for either of those things anyway?

kids today.. tsk and all that, etc.

Wertz

Nasty_Girl wrote:

Well its good if you do actually wear them all year but 340 still makes me feel faint.....

I dunno....it'd be pretty easy for any of us to blow that amount on decent (ie labelled) clothes...can't even buy a semi decent pair of trainers these days for much less than a ton. I think in the case of a teenage girl that figure is reasonable enough....but a PSP and other sh*t on top is maybe a tad excessive...

Madge

lisa.c wrote:

i got him the
v smile from vtech and 2 games bob the builder and sponge bob and carry case
hot wheels gorillas
willy wonka chocolate maker
buckaroo,operatiom and guess who
ripped my pants sponge bob
madagascar marty teddy
fantastic four hot rod
voice changer
roobots noise boots

not a lot really!

Your child seems to be young (you got bob the builder stuff, teddies)
But I thought 'operation' and 'guess who' are games for an older child?.
Anyway, I think if your're not buying them presents all the time and if your're able to afford it, then why not spoil them? Christmas only comes once a year and you might as well treat your kid!

[Deleted User]

Aisling you can't be serious. If you don't think that's a lot you are completely spoilt. And no, I never felt jealous that everyone got more than me for Christmas. I didn't care. I'd feel embarrassed to get a huge pile of stuff while there are people starving etc. I'd genuinely rather give the money to a good cause, because that's what Christmas is about. And I'm not even as religious as a lot of people. I just think the whole presents competition is ridiculous and sad. Obviously I'd be over the moon to get something big like an IPod for Christmas but I wouldn't expect anything else. I'd count myself really lucky to have got that.

Last year I got a second hand digital camera from Ebay and I was over the moon. I got some little bits and bobs, bags, scarves etc, and that was more than enough.

Capt'n Midnight

Spending that much may be upping the ante for their friends/classmates parents which is not very responsible on your part, unless ALL the other kids will be getting similar.

Also it might be fine for a single child but if there are two or three.
BTW, How many hours on minimum wages is that ??

lisa.c

we live with parents because theres lots of room here and it suits us.
my son is four and this is really his first xmas and probably our first year of actually being able to afford stuff for him.

izzywizzy... if i was to buy him any more art stuff or books he could open a shop.

he made a list and was told to pick 5 things that he would like. isnt that what santa is about making a list and sending it off and hoping that when xmas morning comes that you get whats on ur list... obviously we added a few bits to it but hey why not he's only young once.

xmas for kids is not about family sit downs and getting all the family together and all that traditional stuff all kids want is santa.... ya when they get older then cut back but xmas for a child should be exactly that and xmas for adults well thats another thing.
xmas for me is about seeing a happy kid xmas mornin...and sitting on the couch with the family watching the classics and pigging out on all the goodies.

lisa.c

IzzyWizzy wrote:

Aisling you can't be serious. If you don't think that's a lot you are completely spoilt. And no, I never felt jealous that everyone got more than me for Christmas. I didn't care. I'd feel embarrassed to get a huge pile of stuff while there are people starving etc. I'd genuinely rather give the money to a good cause, because that's what Christmas is about. And I'm not even as religious as a lot of people. I just think the whole presents competition is ridiculous and sad. Obviously I'd be over the moon to get something big like an IPod for Christmas but I wouldn't expect anything else. I'd count myself really lucky to have got that.

Last year I got a second hand digital camera from Ebay and I was over the moon. I got some little bits and bobs, bags, scarves etc, and that was more than enough.

ok shall i bring the violins out for you now...
if you happen to get that ipod this year then you wont mind selling it and passing the money on to a charity...

lisa.c

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

Spending that much may be upping the ante for their friends/classmates parents which is not very responsible on your part, unless ALL the other kids will be getting similar.

Also it might be fine for a single child but if there are two or three.
BTW, How many hours on minimum wages is that ??

through but 95% of my sons playschool mates are well off if they want to scab on santa then more power to them.
kids dont care what santa brought jimmy next door all they care about is that santa got them what was on their list.
if parents are to mean to get their kids what are on their lists then it will just fall back on them when they see their kids disappointed xmas day.

and as im on min wage it cost me 55/56 hours work...but i dont mind as he'll be a happy bunny xmas day.

mad m

I know to some €420 is abit much and maybe it is,but I think parents get roped in and sometimes dont even blink until they realise the cost.The presents in question could of been bought over a time,and lets not forget what other presents kids get at christmas from uncles/aunts/grandparents.I always tell relatives when they are decideing to buy my kids presents please buy them a book or something like that.

Sure some on here especially in computer section would buy one piece of computer hardware/graphics card for €420 and not even blink an eye.

J.R.HARTLEY

problem ias i see it isn't your spending it's the bloomin price of kids stuff these days, there's nothing wrong with spoiling the kid a little if it's only once a year, thats a very important point, once a year,i know many parents who feel under pressure to spend large amounts of money, just look at the psp and xbox 360 being shoved into kids faces making them want them, and they are seriously expensive, like many hve said before if the kid appreciates it and understands it's a big thing and there was a sacrifice made to afford this then thats not so bad

andrew163

€420 is far too much for a young kid. €420 is far too much for a 21 year old (with the exception of maybe a once-in-a-lifetime-purchase like a car or something...and only if the parents were very, VERY wealthy).

Wouldn't go over €75 to be honest. One big present is enough - and when I say big I don't mean big as in what an adult would consider big (eg an xbox 360 or a PC). I mean big as in what a small child would consider big (eg something with a big box that they could have fun with...like hungry hungry hippos or Mousetrap (do they still sell them??....remember getting one of those years ago.. was great

) ). I know they'll probably get bored of it fairly quickly but that's true of any toys, regardless of price or quantity...

And Aisling..... Im 17.... I'd be more than happy with half what you're getting... :eek:

[Deleted User]

There's no need to go on the defensive because everyone has said you've spent too much money. You obviously were uneasy with the decision or you wouldn't have asked the question. It's your money. I've given my opinion, and so have many other people, that it's too much. Obviously if I get an I pod I won't sell it, that isn't the point I was making (highly doubt I'll get one anyway, my parents have never spent that kind of money). One really good Christmas present is just that. There is no need for piles of them. I've never gotten, or wanted, loads of expensive things like games consoles and TVs, all on one Christmas. I was making the point that no, I wasn't jealous of the kids who got all that, believe it or not.

if parents are to mean to get their kids what are on their lists then it will just fall back on them when they see their kids disappointed xmas day.

It's with this attitude that people end up thousands in debt. A lot of people just don't have the money to buy expensive presents. You have the luxury of living with your parents, what about people who are scraping together the rent for December? Would you call them bad parents because they got their kid one game instead of 420 euro worth of presents? When I was younger, my friend's mum always got him loads of stuff for Christmas, to show off that she had money, and spent all year paying off the loans. They seriously had no heating and were eating beans on toast, but I suppose it was worth it since little Charlie had his mountain of unused toys sitting in his bedroom?

and as im on min wage it cost me 55/56 hours work...but i dont mind as he'll be a happy bunny xmas day.

Does that sound sensible to you? Do you have nothing else to spend your hard earned money on? Saving for a house, car, education? Don't you think your child would be perfectly happy with a third of those toys and a bag of sweets? That's still a lot of presents.

is_that_so

IMHO €420 is too much for a child and it puts parents under too much pressure. Learnt from an ex to negotiate on Christmas stuff. Twofold reason for it,

1. It discourages them from demanding the whole world
2. You can convince them that they have to pick what they really really want.

Otherwise the bar gets higher every year and there is even more pressure.

My own feeling on it is that one big present is fine. All sorts of goodies can be added. A child can never have enough books for example.
Unlike others I don't see a huge problem with buying clothes either but again common sense comes into it.
Even so if people are still paying for Christmas presents in June then there is something seriously wrong with their perception of what Christmas is supposed to be.

I also think that Christmas is a time to remind everyone that there are others far less fortunate both here and elsewhere. However much we want to enjoy Christmas we should understand the value of it. It is a family time for those who have that and then there's the religious aspect ............

EvilPixieOne

I do think that is alot of money to spend on one child of the kind of age where they're not even really interested in the toys for more than a few minutes. Once they reach the age to choose their presents carefully and pick things that will last a long time such as a bike etc, I think that money is fair enough, but not really at the age your kid is at. However only you know your circumstances really and what's right for your kid

iguana

lisa.c wrote:

if parents are to mean to get their kids what are on their lists then it will just fall back on them when they see their kids disappointed xmas day.

That right there is a disgraceful attitude. Some people are responsible enough to live within their means. A child as young as 4 would be happy with anything on christmas morning. Christmas is NOT about how many toys they got, not for any aged child. It is about the atmosphere, the special events and the magic. There was a time when kids got oranges for christmas and still considered it to be special.

You can't really afford this. You live with your parents and you stated pretty early on that you were hoping for this situation to change. Blowing €420 on lot of toys, which will be easily broken and soon forgotten is not necessary to your son's happiness. I'd honestly suggest that you put most of what you have bought away and give them to your son for his b'day and even next xmas.

p~b

at 4 you'd only really wanna be spending 200 max as children dont get alot of use out of the toys.

but as children grow i think you should spend a bit more money as they get more use and care more for their things, so 420 would be alright when their 11+

mad m

Unless you have kids there is no point in posting what you think is reasonable or not.You have to be in that boat and have kids to know what its like.

is_that_so

mad m wrote:

Unless you have kids there is no point in posting what you think is reasonable or not.You have to be in that boat and have kids to know what its like.

I think that being a parent offers a particular inisight into this topic but it is disingenuous to infer that anyone else is incapable of expressing an opinion on this. You can say no. You as guardian decide what values you wish to impart. From my own experience of children and Christmas, even though I am not a parent, you can negotiate with them, even when they are very young. I see the members of my own family making the same judgements with their own children. It can be done.

Shabadu

lisa.c wrote:

if parents are to mean to get their kids what are on their lists then it will just fall back on them when they see their kids disappointed xmas day.

and as im on min wage it cost me 55/56 hours work...but i dont mind as he'll be a happy bunny xmas day.

Shocking. You worked that long for those gifts? That is disgraceful. Stop being so selfish and thinking about the pay-off of having a child 'ecstatic' (read hyperactive) on Christmas morning so you can feel like a good mum.

You should be saving that money for moving out of your parents home, or putting it into a savings fund for your son. That is being a good parent. I gauruntee you my son will be over the moon on Christmas morning with his presents. At least he'll grow up in a household where he knows that material goods do not equate with happiness.