How much do you spend on your children at Christmas….

October 31, 2012 By Cassandra
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How to have a Frugal Christmas

It’s November tomorrow so I feel justified in asking you all just how much you spend on your children for Christmas. After all, the big day is only 54 days away.

How much do you hate me for reminding you of that right now?

I’ve been gradually doing my Christmas shopping for months now and I’ve managed to get a LOT for what I’ve actually spent. I’ve bought things in the Tesco 2 for 1 sale (ends today I think) and got some great bargains in the Sainsbury’s half price toy sale last week.

I’ve also bought some things off eBay and from the car boot sale. Top of Master Frugal’s list was Gross Magic which is around £18.00 in the shops but I bought it new and sealed for just £2 at the boot sale – I nearly had the poor guys hand off! I have bought other things from the car boot sale and from eBay that aren’t new though – things like Avengers figures for Master Frugal – as long as they’re in good condition, I’m happy to buy used although I know not everyone agrees with me on this one. I just think that I’d rather buy two or three used but still looking great figures than one brand new figure. The only difference is the packaging and that gets ripped off anyway.

What do you think – would you buy toys from eBay or the car boot sale or even a charity shop as presents for your children?

I’ve been extremely lucky this year in that Miss Frugal asked for a Google Nexus 7 tablet as her main present and although I carefully explained that this may be too expensive for her, I only went and won one in the MAD Blog awards Instagram competition. I keep looking at it in it’s hiding place and smiling as I know what her face will be like on Christmas morning when she sees that!

I was talking about this with Jen the other day and she said that everyone is different with what they spend at this time of year and she’s absolutely right. I got a really mean comment on here a few years ago to say that I wasn’t very frugal at all if I bought my children so much for Christmas and at the time, because it was my first (and only thank goodness) really mean comment, I got myself all stressed out and deleted it. What I should have done is reply back to say that one of the reasons I try to be frugal so that I can afford to spoil the kids a little at Christmas and on their birthdays. Frugal isn’t only about doing without, it’s about getting the best deal for everything you buy. Oooh look, this post turned into a bit of a mini rant

We also give to the local toy appeal every year by choosing one small thing off each of their Christmas lists and buying it for a child who wouldn’t otherwise get a present. We try and do this somewhere that has a 3 for 2 offer on so for not much more than £10 we can get three smallish presents to donate.

You might choose to spend hundreds of pounds on your children for Christmas and that’s OK as long as you can afford it or you may choose to spend much, much less on them and again, that’s OK. Whatever you choose to do, I’m pretty sure you’re not alone.

So, I’ll start shall I? I will be spending between no more than £250 – £300 in total on my two – half of that will be on a big present like an iPod touch for Master Frugal as he’s desperate for one and I don’t want him to see his sister open the Nexus 7 without him getting what’s at the top of his list.

What about you – how much will you be spending?

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Emma Wright · 648 weeks ago

Great post. And I am like you, I will buy second hand from eBay, car boot sales etc. Last Christmas I got my daughter a ds off eBay, second hand with case for 30 pouand it has been fantastic. Gave just bought my son one for this year too.

Will prob spend 200 pounds between them, they get extra of grandparents so that's good too x

1 reply · active 647 weeks ago

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Emma Day · 648 weeks ago

I usually spend a fortune on my oldest daughter, a few hundred at least. But things have to change. We are pretty much living on the breadline now and not entitled to any benefits so presents will be minimal! I bought a few toys from Tesco as stocking fillers. She doesn't really know what she wants this year.

However this year, we have two more children to buy for! We figure that the twins will never really remember their first Xmas so just going to get them a couple of small toys.

I am a self confessed snob so refuse flatly to go to car boots. Iv had terrible experiences 3 out of the 4 times iv ever bought second hand so I no longer do this. I do spend hours bargain hunting online, using cashback sites and googling voucher codes though. And sometimes you can get brand new sealed stuff from EBay.

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Danielle · 648 weeks ago

I did a similar post about a week ago, with all our birthday's and Christmas within about a month/5 weeks of each other we try not to go overboard, it is hard especially with kids not to though with all the offers that come about this time of year! I have picked bits up for Alex throughout the year, in fact have some bits I bought in the xmas sales last year stashed away!! However I haven't really got around to anyone else yet...oops! I am usually a bit snobbish when it comes to second hand for gifts, but this year I managed to pick up some almost brand new books as stocking fillers, and have had my eye on Duplo on eBay (but these still go near to the value of new so may just try and get in boots 3 for 2 when they are back in stock)!

1 reply · active 647 weeks ago

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Lisa Hindle · 648 weeks ago

I usually buy from Ebay, for sale for swap sites on Facebook and charity shops. As long as they are in new condition it doesn't really matter. I just got a Wii game from one of the sale sites and it cost me £5.00 and 2 dvds and it cost me £2.00.

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@undefined · 648 weeks ago

Okay, I don't budget, or add it up but it's probably about £200 per child - that will also include boring practicals like PJs and slippers. Whilst I spend that much I still try and take advantage of as many offers as possible, 3 for 2's at Argos, discount days at high street stores and whilst I don't tend to buy second hand for presents, I will be buying DS and Wii games second hand as I don't see the point in paying over the odds for them.

I know that I probably spoil them (but not nearly as much as others do...) however I just love a big pile of presents to dive into and I am aware that this won't last forever so don't really mind spoiling them at Christmas.

PS For some reason I am showing as @undefined for this comment but it's @madamding in case that doesn't come through!

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@undefined · 648 weeks ago

I would guess about £300 between the 3 of them, including stocking bits. Eldest now has a wish list on Amazon and puts a range of things on that. For the younger two I do a wish list for friends plus any suggestions I have. I tend to buy a few toys, some games and some clothes as all my girls love getting a new outfit. I look on eBay also for new bits (sometimes cheaper but it seems eBay'ers are getting quite greedy now and you'll find a lot of the stuff cheaper in the shops). I don't tend to buy 2nd hand for birthdays or Christmas as, oddly, it feels 'mean' to me but am happy to for other bits and pieces I want for them in the year.

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Sarah Samways · 648 weeks ago

Like you, I've been looking out for the offers over the last few weeks and have got some presents already sorted. The hardest thing is not being seduced just before Christmas and end up buying far too much.

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lara · 648 weeks ago

Usually about £300 each.But it isn't junk, it is clothes and shoes and any equipment they need for sports, things that you end up having to buy throughout the year. Mine are teens, and I buy very little clothing etc during the year. Save it for Christmas and birthday, then you can spend a bit more. Mine write a list, complete with web links and I stick to that. All practical, no stockings.

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Sarah Stimson · 648 weeks ago

We've bought loads of stuff - clothes, toys, books - from carboots in the past. This is our son's first Christmas and at 9 months it's not like he'll really understand so we've bought one big thing for about £70 and a couple of smaller things. Next year I suspect it might be a different story.

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Elspeth · 648 weeks ago

We spend £50 on each child and not a penny more... particularly since this year there are 3 of them! Second hand is fine by me too, if it's in good condition. I'd probably like to get them a little more but it REALLY isn't in the budget. Plus, grandparents are usually pretty good for the "big" stuff :)

2 replies · active 644 weeks ago

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Mrs_Moons · 648 weeks ago

my son (teen ) desperately wants and needs a new mobile. DH is due an upgrade, so we will give that to son. Cost zero. Parent points a gazillion! It is compounded by the fact his birthday is at xmas.....so potentially mega expensive.
Son 2, doesn't want anything. (bless) we bought a set of bongos at lidl for £14 which he will adore. And a few bits like a Onesie from Primark. We have been living on just one very meagre wage for 7 months so this year, every penny counts.
My husband's birthday is in December too, as in my mother's. so Actually I dread this time of year....

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Thechristmasfox · 648 weeks ago

I have no problem buying second hand at all. I'll be spending about £100-£150 per child. I always tt and find the best deal/price for everything and they get about 5x poundland toys each to bulk out their present pile.

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Aeronwen · 648 weeks ago

I usually spend about £100 each but that includes the 'father christmas sack'. I try to include some books and toys that will last and not be a short term 'gimmick' as well as things they will like on teh day but probably not use again ^^

My big surprise last year was a PC game that I bought for my 2 girls on a whim. I thought they would play it once and forget it but it has been a family favourite all year. As 2 people can play together on one PC they often do that and as it is a co-operative game they help and advise each other. As a teacher I am thrilled that while they think they are having fun I can see it subtly teaching them puzzle solving and logical skills. The game is called Hamiton's Great Adventure, it costs only £7.99 through Steam ( an online gaming shop and platform that you have to register on to play the game). As it is a digital download there is nothing to wrap up but I simply made a voucher a voucher telling them how to find it on their steam account and wrapped up that.

I hope I find something as cheap, educational and longlasting this year :)

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sarahmumof3 · 648 weeks ago

I have done both ways, spent too much and brought loads, and spent hardly anything and only had a handful of things to open on Christmas morning, this year things will be small scale again as I just haven't the available funds and as much as it is lovely to spoil them on Christmas its not great going into debt for one day of smiles, so I will do my up most to get them whatever they are wanting and if that is expensive things then that will be all they get, if they don't settle on any one thing, then i will just try to find some nice surrises which don't cost the earth x

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Caroljs · 648 weeks ago

BG will have about £50 spent on her including stocking fillers at 4 years old I don't see the need to spend much more. She never plays with it all plus her birthday is the 27th of this month and I will spend another £50 on that plus a birthday party.

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Becky · 648 weeks ago

I have just been and pbought a big pikle of fab second hand books for my kids famous five secret seven ponies fairies etc. My kids adore reading. Got hem form Oxfam will pop some in the stocking and tie a pile with ribbon as a pressie. A fab pressie that will entertain for housrs. I probably spend £100 each but I get a lot of toys as review whihc I try and pop to one side

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rationingrevisited 22p · 648 weeks ago

Our three usually get larger gift from us and a smaller one(Usually no more than £50 per child total). That doesn't include the chocky box from us and the one or two they'll get from family. One Christmas Morning they open the gifts form us, then later on we visited their Nana so they can open gifts from the family... which is usually clothing and bits (like hair bobbles and jewellery). This year there's 3 of them and they're all older (9, 7 and 4) so we may spend a little more... especially as we're 100% debt free this year... so its kind of special.
I'm 50/50 about second hand... some things are just better brand new... others are just a silly expense new. DVDs, when we get them, are fine second hand... as are books for little children... as they inevitably get drawn on or ripped (I reuse those as gift tags, wall art and cards).
I'm definitely NOT a fan of electronic stuff for kids. There are some things in life they'll just have to grow up and buy for themselves, they all grow up too fast now a days.

1 reply · active 647 weeks ago