If we've got the money at Christmas then the kids get spoilt rotten (they are only young once and the magic of Christmas soon wears off) - conversly, if we don't have the money they are still happy with what they get. They don't view their gifts in terms of money. They get a main present and then other stuff - the cost of the main present is based upon how 'flush' we are that year. If there is something that they would really, really like then we will go out of our way to get it (30 miles is nothing in my opinion). (PS - my kids are not spolit - they are lovely!)