you don't - she'll appreciate what you've bought

You can only do your best Aimee - and £500 ain't shabby  

Gotta be realistic  

I think the problems we have today Aimee is all to do with giving our kids everything, we are all guilty! She will appreciate what she's got and at what point do we say I can't afford anymore 

I agree with Velvet , Aimee  And I am sure she appreciates everything else you do for her throughout the year

*Echoes what everyone else says* 

I know exactly how you feel, but I have grown to realise Christmas is about more than presents, Father Christmas brings enough to keep the children happy........It is up to us to make our Christmas happy, and it doesn't come wrapped....

A pair of Vans and a pair of Converse £110  and a camera £150 doesn't look alot but it all cost's 

Christmas shopping should be banned until 23rd December.    The earlier you finish, the more likely you are to think you need to buy more - and I'm sure you don't.  £500's a lot of prezzies, Aimee.

Well I can honestly say that as I have hardly bought anything yet then no I have not bought enough yet

Thats so true 

 I feel I know a lot about her from what you've said - she's not stupid or selfish .....she'll know that and  be more than happy - relax and enjoy your Christmas with your lovely daughter that you're proud of and who loves you 

A GRAND!!!

Ours have had £500 quid spent on each of them in christmas's past...   last years was really tight though... so it was right down to £200 & yes... that showed.

They are up to a healthy £350 a head this year...     and yeah, I would love to spend more... but we can't.   And tbh, it doesn't do them any harm...  every pressie they have got has been bought with thought...       

It'll be a good christmas 

I know the feeling Aimee, but it'll be fine... 

she's so used too a room full of presents but everything she has asked for is over £50 so it look's alot less this year

I do need to go out & buy the dog a few more though 

She's not a little girl any more though, and she sounds like she's a lovely girl.. she's not going to be disappointed because she doesn't have a 'big pile' of prezzies.   She'll be chuffed - and you'll have a great day (and not worry about being skint in the new year)

 she has spent all her wages *from her first ever job on me* and now i feel the need too buy her more 

so true, i have saved the money this year and she knows this (no borrowing) and i will have no bill's in the new year 

I always get that feeling Aimee! I added up what I've spent on my bf so far and was shocked cos it hardly looks like anything But it's surprising how quickly things add up

That said though, I always say to my mam (who has the same "it looks like nothing" worries) that me and my brother know how much things cost... if we have a DVD, or a PS3 game, or a pair of cons, the parcel might look small but we know how much the thing costs so no one feels hard done by or owt That made a lot more sense in my head

Is the kitten getting anything?

Its the thought that counts. Who am i kidding? If you have the funds then spend spend spend but if not then just hope the recipient knows you are skint.

awww, that's lovely - she probably wants to treat you after all those piles of pressies you got her!

I know how you feel Aimms..... I bought my son a flight to America (to see his girly) for Christmas (he flies on the 29th)....... so have nothing to wrap and put under the tree! I have spent the last two months resisting the temptation to buy him things he doesn't want!

But £500 is enough!   MORE then enough!

So listen to all the wise words up there ^^^ and just enjoy your Christmas!

A smacked nose I reckon

A scratching post...   

some long distance toys...  the ones that have a stick with something dangling on it.

and if Ickle gets her way...  a rhinestone studded harness.. & a princess bed 

And... in the New Year..    her ovaries removed (that ones from me that is )

Ducky... 

You look really REALLY nekkid 

I have the urge to knit you a jumper

It is a bit nippy in 'ere.

Could I have a jumper with "Ducky" emblazoned on the front please?

*resists saying soooo many things*

Have I blown your cover?

were you in disguise?

OMG!!   Have I forum outed you!!!    

I shall troll you forever

Ditto!

That's about as scary this time as it was the last time 

ooops... that was to Ducky 

Ah but you see we are canny buyers - we can go and get all the old tat lovely stuff that has been reduced and look dead generous

Aimee I think the older they get the harder it is to 'bulk out' the presents.  My 2 have more than £700 worth of pressies between them but because the boxes are wee there isn't much to show.  I like to get at least one 'bulky' present so got the 5 year old a bike and was supposed to get the 10 year old a gaming chair (only cost £50 for each of them) but the gaming chair was sold out so I ended up with an Xbox kinnect which cost £140 and looks pitiful   They won't know how much all this stuff costs so I've also been tryin to find big presents to bulk it out.  I'm out a small fortune already (toys cost enough but then clothes etc add up to a lot aswell) and I don't think they'll see that.

But considering it will be (I think) the older boys last 'Santa' xmas then he will know afterwards how much money goes into it all.

I think your daughter will know that by know.  Maybe a few wee sets of bath stuff etc will bulk it out if you are able to get some.  Boots etc do great 3 for 2's.

I got her some Boot's stuff last week  it's alot nicer when the kid's are little  my living room used to look like i'd robbed Toy's R Us 

Thanks everyone for your nice words and advice 

I have a similar problem with my 21 year old this year - he didnt have a lot last year as his birthday is very soon after and wanted the money put into his *long weekend away* to Dublin for his 21st but this year has a lappy and camera attachments - both expensive but dont look very much

I save packaging and suitable boxes all year and recycle boxes opened on christmas day to disguise expensive christmas gifts for immediate family - Son and OH so they look more and disguise the gift if it looks obvious 

layer the parcel and put a little something to open in each box/layer they get to - it works and eventually find the gift they had asked for and have had fun opening along the way 

I had a box the size of a breadmaker one year - layered with various nick knacks from OH and weighted with bricks  got to the bottom and found a ring box - empty with a cryptic clue  my  ring had been hanging on the christmas tree for two weeks and not discovered 

Aww that's lovely MrsH And that's what Christmas is about.....not how much you spend, but how much effort you put into it!

I love Christmas cos I get a lot of fun from choosing the perfect pressies for the people I love. Unfortunately I think I'm a bit too good at it! I was feeling a bit lazy this year (busy term)....and asked my sister what my neice wanted for Christmas. She replied by text and said "I asked Naomi and she said use your discretion, cos she likes your discretion"

I'm feeling the pressure!