Strands #301 “Festival Of Lights...
Quizzes & Puzzles3 mins ago
how much to spend at christmas?
Hi, its that time of year again, and i was just wondering the average amount everyone spends on their children at christmas......just want to know if im spoiling or being a scrooge! obvioulsy i know it all depends on income etc...just trying to get a rough idea! Many thanks!!
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I've not got any (young) children but, if you're looking for reference points, this might still help:
I'm unemployed most of the time, with occasional casual work (which, fortunately, is usually quite well-paid). To give you an idea of my life-style, I'll tell you that I normally try to spend around 50p or 60p on cooking a meal. (Spending a �1, like I did at lunchtime today, is a rare luxury). I might go out to the pub, for a couple of pints, tomorrow night but it will be the first time for several months because I can't normally afford it. (However, I do admit to having a bottle of cheap Italian wine waiting to be opened as soon as I've finished typing this!). My car cost me �350. My clothes come from Tesco, Asda or charity shops.
Got the picture? Yes, I'm definitely at the 'pauper' end of the scale. However, I'll probably spend around �30 on presents for my adult son and his wife, together with another �30 on their 3-year-old son. I'll spend around �20 on a present for an adult friend of mine (who has, since his childhood, always been treated like my nephew) and another �20 on various small presents for other adult friends. So that makes my total Christmas gift expenditure �100
Chris
I'm unemployed most of the time, with occasional casual work (which, fortunately, is usually quite well-paid). To give you an idea of my life-style, I'll tell you that I normally try to spend around 50p or 60p on cooking a meal. (Spending a �1, like I did at lunchtime today, is a rare luxury). I might go out to the pub, for a couple of pints, tomorrow night but it will be the first time for several months because I can't normally afford it. (However, I do admit to having a bottle of cheap Italian wine waiting to be opened as soon as I've finished typing this!). My car cost me �350. My clothes come from Tesco, Asda or charity shops.
Got the picture? Yes, I'm definitely at the 'pauper' end of the scale. However, I'll probably spend around �30 on presents for my adult son and his wife, together with another �30 on their 3-year-old son. I'll spend around �20 on a present for an adult friend of mine (who has, since his childhood, always been treated like my nephew) and another �20 on various small presents for other adult friends. So that makes my total Christmas gift expenditure �100
Chris
(2-part post):
Thanks for the reply.
Tesco's 'Value' beef mince costs �2.00 for 800g. (It used to be quite a bit cheaper but rather fatty. Now it's decent Irish beef and just as good as the dear stuff). I divide a pack up into 8 x 100g, which I wrap in cling film and put in the freezer.
To knock up a quick (cheap) meal, I'll defrost a portion of mince. (1 minute on 'Defrost' in my microwave). While it's in the microwave I'll heat a drop of oil in a frying pan. (I'll use either vegetable oil or olive oil, depending upon which particular dish I'm aiming for). I brown the mince in the oil and then add the 'magic ingredient'. This is Tesco's 'Value' Pasta Sauce, which costs 24p for a 440g jar. (I'll use a third of a jar for a 'chunky' result or half a jar for a more liquid end product. The rest goes in the fridge).
For simplicity, and economy, I'll just leave that lot simmering while I put 100g of Tesco's 'Value' penne pasta into a pan of boiling, salted water. (The pasta is 39p for 500g). Then I pour the meat and sauce mix over the pasta. Total cost = 25p for the mince + 12p for half a jar of sauce + 8p for the pasta = 45p).
For a variation, I'll add some Tesco 'Value' curry powder to the sauce. (25p for 50g. Perhaps 4p of curry powder into the frying pan). Then I'll serve the quick curry with a buttered jacket potato, which takes 7� minutes in the microwave (18p for the spud. Perhaps 6p for the butter). That's 25p for the mince + 8p for a third of a jar of sauce + 4p for the curry powder + 24p for the buttered potato = 61p. (In practice, I'll probably throw in some ground ginger, a bit of garlic salt and whatever else comes to hand).
Thanks for the reply.
Tesco's 'Value' beef mince costs �2.00 for 800g. (It used to be quite a bit cheaper but rather fatty. Now it's decent Irish beef and just as good as the dear stuff). I divide a pack up into 8 x 100g, which I wrap in cling film and put in the freezer.
To knock up a quick (cheap) meal, I'll defrost a portion of mince. (1 minute on 'Defrost' in my microwave). While it's in the microwave I'll heat a drop of oil in a frying pan. (I'll use either vegetable oil or olive oil, depending upon which particular dish I'm aiming for). I brown the mince in the oil and then add the 'magic ingredient'. This is Tesco's 'Value' Pasta Sauce, which costs 24p for a 440g jar. (I'll use a third of a jar for a 'chunky' result or half a jar for a more liquid end product. The rest goes in the fridge).
For simplicity, and economy, I'll just leave that lot simmering while I put 100g of Tesco's 'Value' penne pasta into a pan of boiling, salted water. (The pasta is 39p for 500g). Then I pour the meat and sauce mix over the pasta. Total cost = 25p for the mince + 12p for half a jar of sauce + 8p for the pasta = 45p).
For a variation, I'll add some Tesco 'Value' curry powder to the sauce. (25p for 50g. Perhaps 4p of curry powder into the frying pan). Then I'll serve the quick curry with a buttered jacket potato, which takes 7� minutes in the microwave (18p for the spud. Perhaps 6p for the butter). That's 25p for the mince + 8p for a third of a jar of sauce + 4p for the curry powder + 24p for the buttered potato = 61p. (In practice, I'll probably throw in some ground ginger, a bit of garlic salt and whatever else comes to hand).
Yet another variation starts with the mince and sauce but then I add chilli powder (and perhaps some ground cayenne) and serve the quick chilli con carne with a portion of boiled rice. I'm not sure what the current price of 'Value rice (or chilli powder) is, but I think that meal works out at around 50p.
Please don't get the impression that I live entirely on meals based upon mince and pasta sauce. I most certainly don't, but those meals (and other variations on the same theme) are always good standbys.
Chicken has got quite pricey recently but I can usually find some cheap short-dated stuff to put in the freezer. Then, for a lovely mild fruity curry, I'll defrost some chicken, brown it in some oil and add another of Tesco's 'secret ingredients'. This is their canned curry sauce. It's surprisingly tasty and amazing value at just 4p per can!. I'll serve the curry with boiled rice.
Now, if you want some more recipes, I could tell you about my Pilchard Bake (which is slightly more expensive but is packed with an amazing combination of flavours) and . . .
. . . er, hang on a minute. Haven't we moved a long way from the Christmas theme here? ;-)
Chris
Please don't get the impression that I live entirely on meals based upon mince and pasta sauce. I most certainly don't, but those meals (and other variations on the same theme) are always good standbys.
Chicken has got quite pricey recently but I can usually find some cheap short-dated stuff to put in the freezer. Then, for a lovely mild fruity curry, I'll defrost some chicken, brown it in some oil and add another of Tesco's 'secret ingredients'. This is their canned curry sauce. It's surprisingly tasty and amazing value at just 4p per can!. I'll serve the curry with boiled rice.
Now, if you want some more recipes, I could tell you about my Pilchard Bake (which is slightly more expensive but is packed with an amazing combination of flavours) and . . .
. . . er, hang on a minute. Haven't we moved a long way from the Christmas theme here? ;-)
Chris
thank you so much chris, you have definitely gave me some inspiration! i kind of already do those meals, but i think i lose out because i jus make 1 portion and if it doesnt get eaten then its not used, complete waste i know.
my family and i tend to survive better and more efficiently when we are short of cash, tend to think about the meals. and i really enjoy it as i have a real sense of acheivement and always try to carry on like that for the rest of the month, but as soon as payday comes its back to the old routine! i think i need a lot of discipline, and also a less fussy husband and daughter!!
thank you again chris, and as for the pilchard recipe......never really been my cup of tea! kate
my family and i tend to survive better and more efficiently when we are short of cash, tend to think about the meals. and i really enjoy it as i have a real sense of acheivement and always try to carry on like that for the rest of the month, but as soon as payday comes its back to the old routine! i think i need a lot of discipline, and also a less fussy husband and daughter!!
thank you again chris, and as for the pilchard recipe......never really been my cup of tea! kate
I have spent about �130-�150 on my 4yr old. I haven't really totted it up! I always get carried away and to be honest I know she has got alot. I guess I just want her to have loads to open just like I did when I was a kid so no matter how little money we have, especially now hubbys unemployed, she has still got the same number of presents. (on the credit card of course) I don't think this is a huge amount though and I'm sur lots of parents spend �100's more on their kids I mean if you're buying a PS3 thats �300 gone on just one pressie!
i agree tigwig, i want my little girl to have the same as i did, cuz christmas was so magical for me.....not just cuz i had lots to open, but that was always a bonus! i told my mum i had spent �100 on my almost 4 year old and she was like that is more than enough, and i was thinking, she so used to spend more than that on me and my sis, prob �300 each then the latest console between us. i wouldnt dream of spending that on my littleun. I think �150 is a good amount for me to spend in relation to the income we have. even if we had more money i still think �150 is a good amount for someone her age. saying that though, the average price of a toy this day is �30 -�40, so its hard to think what to do! and i so know my littleun is gonna end up playing with the stocking fillers more!!! thats life eh!
When my 2 wewre younger I went or bigger was better -like big balckboards and tractors and anything out the Pound shops cos uI quite simply couldnt afford to spend a lot on them.
Santa always managed to get the main thing they wanted -be it the Star Ship Enterprise -or a Furby -J was a lucky girl that year as they were like hens teeth :0
Tehn there was the other end of the spectrum -the parents who thought if they didnt spent at least 200-300 on their kids then they werent keeping up -in debt with the Provvy man until the next christmas but who cares.
Well my 2 now value anything they buy -they are almost tight with their cash (careful) and are doing so much better than their peers who insisted on designer -you wouldnt cop my kids buying designer -they are individuals and its down to valuing what they had and have.
I will now spend up to �100 on each of then at Christmas -but thats usually one special pressie and a few nonsensical ones. -that will peter out as they get older.
Im not a Christmas person and surprise surprise neither are they -they can see through it but its different when they are little -I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Hey at least mine was shorter than Chris's lol ( Chris -you one the peeve tonight -see ya in the witching hour on the other side lol x)
Santa always managed to get the main thing they wanted -be it the Star Ship Enterprise -or a Furby -J was a lucky girl that year as they were like hens teeth :0
Tehn there was the other end of the spectrum -the parents who thought if they didnt spent at least 200-300 on their kids then they werent keeping up -in debt with the Provvy man until the next christmas but who cares.
Well my 2 now value anything they buy -they are almost tight with their cash (careful) and are doing so much better than their peers who insisted on designer -you wouldnt cop my kids buying designer -they are individuals and its down to valuing what they had and have.
I will now spend up to �100 on each of then at Christmas -but thats usually one special pressie and a few nonsensical ones. -that will peter out as they get older.
Im not a Christmas person and surprise surprise neither are they -they can see through it but its different when they are little -I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Hey at least mine was shorter than Chris's lol ( Chris -you one the peeve tonight -see ya in the witching hour on the other side lol x)
Im going to spend about �200 each on my 2 kids, the trouble is when they are little, you can get so many things at a reasonable price, but now my 2 are older, they want all the expensive things!!! So it looks like you have hardly got them anything, oh well, 2 main presents for them each and a few cheapy things thrown in
I only have one so its not too bad in terms of trying to be fair and such but we always try and get one dearish thing that he wast, around �200, maybe somthing else around the hundred mark and then a few �20-50 things. If there was more children involved I think you'd have to average it out but the young ones may not want dear articles. Also perhaps you could try and steer everyone toward wanting the same gift, like a games console or something.
Hi
I was about to post something similar. I've been wondering where you draw the line
I'm spending about �150 on my wee one. I think this is a bit much as she will only be 6 months by christmas. but we've had a lot of hand me down clothes, car seat etc and are living in a bedsit so not been able really to have many toys as there isn't much room. We will be in our house in the next couple of weeks so I thought I'd splash out and treat her since we haven't had to spend much so far.
Also a lot of the things I'm getting her are in the sales or 2 for 1 offers and I also look up discounts/offers and voucher codes at www.hotukdeals.co.uk so I'm getting more for my money
The toys she's getting are for when she's 9 to 12 months so she'll get lots of use out of them
She's getting one main present like what I got when I was wee and lots off other small presents to open. Her main present is a baby sit in walker that turns into a push along walker when she starts walking so she'll get lots of use out of it and it was reduced from �99 to �49 on the mamas and papas website
I was about to post something similar. I've been wondering where you draw the line
I'm spending about �150 on my wee one. I think this is a bit much as she will only be 6 months by christmas. but we've had a lot of hand me down clothes, car seat etc and are living in a bedsit so not been able really to have many toys as there isn't much room. We will be in our house in the next couple of weeks so I thought I'd splash out and treat her since we haven't had to spend much so far.
Also a lot of the things I'm getting her are in the sales or 2 for 1 offers and I also look up discounts/offers and voucher codes at www.hotukdeals.co.uk so I'm getting more for my money
The toys she's getting are for when she's 9 to 12 months so she'll get lots of use out of them
She's getting one main present like what I got when I was wee and lots off other small presents to open. Her main present is a baby sit in walker that turns into a push along walker when she starts walking so she'll get lots of use out of it and it was reduced from �99 to �49 on the mamas and papas website
-- answer removed --
I haven't even started thinking about christmas presents yet, but my eldest (12) has asked for a x-box 360 & a surround sound dvd player! My youngest (7) has only asked for a golden balls board game. I would be tempted to tell my eldest to take a run n jump lol but as they share a room both presents can be shared. So they'll probably get the x-box, with games & dvd between them, which I imagine will come close to �300. This is the first year my eldest wont be getting anything from santa so I'm not sure how I'm gonna work out what the little one gets from santa then from me.
Last year I asked them both to write a list of things that they 'really' wanted but made sure they knew it didn't mean they were getting it all. When family asked what the kids wanted I let them choose something from the lists. Ended up they both got everything they wanted without me having to buy it all myself! & it saved family making wild guesses of what they'd want :o)
I almost fainted the other day when a neighbour casually mentioned how they'd 'already' spent nearly �500 on their 5 yr old!! & they have two other younger children! I'd only be spending that much if they could drive LOL
Last year I asked them both to write a list of things that they 'really' wanted but made sure they knew it didn't mean they were getting it all. When family asked what the kids wanted I let them choose something from the lists. Ended up they both got everything they wanted without me having to buy it all myself! & it saved family making wild guesses of what they'd want :o)
I almost fainted the other day when a neighbour casually mentioned how they'd 'already' spent nearly �500 on their 5 yr old!! & they have two other younger children! I'd only be spending that much if they could drive LOL
-- answer removed --
it depends on your budget!! i usually spend between �500 upwards on each of the girls.the younger one is getting a laptop+iphone plus stocking fillers.the older daughter will have jewellery. then they get money and more presents from there dad.
i would like father christmas to buy me a lovely diamond ring.signs and wishes.
i would like father christmas to buy me a lovely diamond ring.signs and wishes.
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