Isn't that the truth?!? I suppose if someone is going into debt over Christmas, hasn't saved for retirement or college, doesn't have an emergency fund, etc., then maybe a laptop or Blackberry or Flip is too much. Otherwise, if someone chooses to spend $500 on their child at Christmas and CAN afford it, why would someone else "throw up in their mouth"?
If you don't have the money to spend or you feel better knowing it is saved, that's the right decision for your family. If you have the money and wish to spend it on your loved ones at Christmas, that's the right decision for your family. I'm not sure why it is so popular to judge someone else's spending habits or purchases on this board, even if it is the budget board . . . It's possible to have all of your financial affairs in order AND buy your kid a laptop or cell phone for Christmas.
I think the poster who stated "throw up in her mouth ..." was really refering to the fact that young kids know about all these expensive things, and then a few kids get them and they become trends and then everybody gets them. We buy young kids all this really expensive stuff that they grow out of, and it never seems to be enough. Times have really changed. I really think this was the gist of her comments, though the "throw up in my mouth ..." was a little more graphic than I needed it to be. Let's not judge her too harshly.
Personally, I can afford to give DD9 (10 in January) this stuff, but for now I have resisted the temptation for a lot of it. She does have Uggs and a North Face Jacket, and she has some things from Abercrombie and Hollister (she's tall and needs bigger stuff), but I get worried about some of the other things. I think when kids get too much too early it gets harder and harder to satify them, and then the real problems start. With an only child the temptation to spoil is really huge and I really struggle with trying not to overindulge her. My husband struggles with it too, since his family had no money when he was a kid. I want her to understand the value of things, and I'm trying to figure out how to teach that while still giving her the things she wants.
So what is my Cherub gettting?
A couple of Wii games
Games for her DS
Santa is bringing Rock Band for the family
A digital camera
American Girl accessories for her dolls
Some CDs and DVDs (JoBros, Camp Rock)
Barnes and Noble gift card (she loves books and we love going to the bookstore together)
Pandora bracelet with one charm (a soccer ball)
Science kit or chemistry set (still trying to decide)
Some other smaller odds and ends like crafty stuff, paints, markers.
That's as much as I have figured out right now.
But you are on track with my point. I AM genuinely happy for anyone who can give their child a special Christmas. But where do you go from here when 10 and 12 yo's are getting backberry's and laptops and $150 boots (their feet will grow in 6 months!) and coach bags (even on sale--the point would be the status of the item) I love nice things as much as anyone, and so does my 12yo DD but even though I may be able to afford more or get a great deal (like a free phone if I added her to my family plan she must be the 3rd girl in the US to not have a phione!!
and although I have a Vera I'm not into them either. I got the hipster for our trip, or those times I'm trying to keep three little hands by myself in crowds. I also got mine on clerance as a discontinued pattern.....
