Average Spend

[princess jackson]

I went shopping yesterday, and just could not resist extra pressies for DD.

So far we have we think we have spent £250+ on toys. Not much to show for it. We still have gifts from WDW to add.

How times have changed since i was young. It is very commercialised (hope that is the way it is spelt).

First thing it was lovely and relaxing shopping, no queues, that was until lunch time when the enjoyment ended, people pushing long queues.

You would think it was the last of shopping. Just wait until the supermarkets are manic.

What is the average spend on kids at xmas.?

Luckily enough she is to young for games consoles
And the designer trainers/clothes.

Easily pleased with dolls, pencils and paper.

 

[Miffy2003]

I would say my average spend per child at Xmas is about £70 if you include all the little bits and pieces that go into stockings etc.

I did used to go a bit mad but to be honest I have realised that it's often the silly little presents they get the most fun from. They spend hours playing with all the stuff that was "3 for a pound" and the pricey games stay in boxes

DD aged 9 is desperate for a "RoboRaptor" (??? Think that's how you spell it) but it is £90 and I know it would be a 5 minute wonder. So I've explained that it's too much money for what it is and she is fine with that.

I think it is so easy to get "carried away" with Xmas and go OTT so I now make a conscious effort not to. It is hard sometimes but at least it means I don't dread my post Xmas Visa bill

 

[princess jackson]

Yeah agree DD has more fun with the little toys. The most expensive thing we have bought this year is a doll and writting table.

We always buy a learning toy, last year was leap frog till and shopping trolley this helps her with counting and money.

This year it is the writting table, she is into drawing and writting her name, (she has just learnt how to write it by her self)

most of her toys are under £10, and yesterday it was 3 for 2 or other shops had 25% off.

We always buy books and Disney DVD this year it is cinderella.

I dread when she can do a list lol

 

[gilld]

We don't tend to go as mad as many of our friends. As our children are in their 20's now they want more expensive things, often for their homes. I spend around £150-£200 each on them. I used to just take it from the bank without any saving but now I put £100 away each month for Christmas - this covers it all except our annual drinks "do" which adds another couple of hundred.

Unfortunately for us, two of our three children have birthdays in January - bad planning!!! But then we weren't thinking at the time!

 

[urglewurgle]

i think my mum spends about £200-£300 on us each (two of us) including stocking stuff.... which, IMHO, is too much really... we're 22 and 18...

I really want a Roboraptor.... but, like your son, i'd be bored of it in a few hours... i DID however get some of those "make your own" dino skeleton kits for my birthday (i'm not totally immature - i'm doing Paeleontology @ uni) and they were cheap, but fun... and great to display afterwards! And i think lego do a kind of "build your own" dino robot thing.. not sure how much that is but might be a good deal cheaper...

 

[Miffy2003]

Thanks Becks! I'll look into that! That's really helpful

My son is a girl by the way LOL.

 

[princess jackson]

Bad planning for us too, DD , DH, and myself have birthday in DECEMBER, 3,8 and 20, so really expensive, and thats why i start really early, so a low bill in Jan.

 

[gilld]

Bad planning for us too, DD , DH, and myself have birthday in DECEMBER, 3,8 and 20, so really expensive, and thats why i start really early, so a low bill in Jan.

It's a killer isn't it? The birthdays are ok because I just give them money. I'm going to do my Christmas shopping next week. Trouble is, every year I get all mine done then my Mother, who is disabled, sends me a large cheque and I have to go and buy presents for everybody from her - so I have to do it all twice!

 

[Miffy2003]

I have started doing much of my Xmas shopping online, to avoid the awful Xmas crowds

 

[princess jackson]

We are doing everybody else in WDW when we are there Dec, duty free comes in handy!!!!

DD is done apart from board games which we are getting from WDW.

Theme this year is baby annabel the accessories are more expensive than the real things for real babies.

£4 for 4 nappies
carry harness £15
and playgym £20.

We were tempted to buy things from mothercare cheaper, lol.

Then she showed interest into bratz, the lil and babyz.

Then the regualar items PJ and xmas day outfit we are getting from WDW

 

[gilld]

I have started doing much of my Xmas shopping online, to avoid the awful Xmas crowds

Last year I managed ALL of mine without going to town once! I went to Cribbs Causeway once and did everything else on line. I did feel choosing was more difficult though - off to Cribbs this week to get most of it - John Lewis have such nice "gifts".

 

[Miffy2003]

I am partial to a day at Cribbs Gill - I am fond of John Lewis myself Too fond, some would say

 

[gilld]

I am partial to a day at Cribbs Gill - I am fond of John Lewis myself Too fond, some would say

One day Tony very rashly allowed me a card there - he's regretted it ever since I think! They very obligingly send things up here on their weekly van so I don't even have to drive down or pay for delivery. I buy far too much there but I do love it!!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Gill, you really shouldn't have told me about the card

 

[gilld]

Do you want to send my apologies to your husband now, in readiness for your next spending spree!!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Do you want to send my apologies to your husband now, in readiness for your next spending spree!!!

I will have to make sure he doesn't see this thread Gill or he may refuse a trip to Cribbs in the near future!!!

 

[urglewurgle]

Thanks Becks! I'll look into that! That's really helpful

My son is a girl by the way LOL.

lol... sorry!

 

[wicket2005]

The cost of Christmas has slowly risen as the kids have got older. This year they would like the next XBox 360 and one game which is going to set me back £310 each. I would be interested to know what people roughly spend on 15 and 17 year olds.

 

[Queenie]

I'm 19 and my sister is 34, my mum always tries to spend the same amount on each of us - I think it would be around £100 for birthdays and the same amount at Christmas.

If your DD wants the Raptor but it's the robo part she's interested in, not the fact it's a dinosaur, I've seen cheap robo toys around in the last year or so. I've got a robo dog that cost about £5. Sure it's not nearly as impressive but it might work as a stocking filler so she gets something robotic?

 

[urglewurgle]

Thanks Becks! I'll look into that! That's really helpful

My son is a girl by the way LOL.

OHH!! i got a gadgetshop catalogue through the door yesterday and i saw....

they do a mini roboraptor for £15!!

here's a link...

*clicky*