Oh my gosh!!!
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4965
Printed Date: 12 October 2025 at 7:04am
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Topic: Oh my gosh!!!
Posted By: 11111
Subject: Oh my gosh!!!
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 9:55am
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I have been working in a toy store this past week and I can't believe the amount of money people are spending on their kids its is amazing I am talking 5-6 hundrad dollar's on each child. Some of the staff are spending heap's too. It has got me feeling pretty stink Alan and Mikey have had a combined total of about $200 spent on them.
I kinda feel stink  . In saying that tho I don't think I would have spent much more on them anyway even if we had a bit more money. I am not into going over bored my Question is am I mean for not wanting or spending more on my boy's I jsut kinds feel like I SHOULD be spending more.
I guess this is a bit of a rant really. ------------- Deborah Mum to:   
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Replies:
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:11am
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no deb, you arent mean!
i think some people do tend to go over the top! i personally wouldnt myself, but there are plenty of peple that like to give there kids everything. i was at the warehouse the other day and saw a women and her mother with two HUGE trollies full of toys... i looked down at my trolley with a few toys.... i honestly dont feel bad. my kids have got plenty of toys, and i really want them to learn the value of things. when i was little i harldy got much and really loved and appreciated the things that i did get. and Christmas is about more than a few presents... i think whats more important to me is the kids knowing the real meaning of christmas, and celebrating christmas with our family. but like i say, everyone is differnt, we all have different values and beliefs. 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:31am
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I agree, if you get too much for your kids they'll be so overwhelmed they won't enjoy it anyway! I like to go for development-stretching activity type toys because they keep the interest for longer.
We're on a tight budget so over-spending on our kids just is not reasonable. This Christmas they are getting bangles, duplo, and a pull-toy shape sorter, and for Hannah's birthday she is getting a doll she can dress. Our kids have heaps of toys, mostly hand-me-downs, and they'll get more from grandparents/uncles and aunts as well (not heaps though). -------------  |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:33am
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Thanks guy's I know i am being reasonable but it was jsut getting me really down when I saw what people were buying and some of the staff meade me feel a little bad not intenionally tho. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:48am
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Christmas should never be about how much money you spend...you're not a bad mum for not spending that much on your kids...you're a sensible one!! Imagine them having to deal with the credit card bills and debt after Christmas when then toys are probably just about forgotten a short time later! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:49am
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LOL so true paws. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 12:04pm
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You know what I have found out about spending money on kids? We were always not that well off growing up, and we got so many presents. My mother stills buys a stupid amount of things for my sisters kids (To the point where it is hard for my sister and her DP to find something to buy their own kids!).
Then I met a few friends who grew up with quite a lot of money - and they tended to get one or two special things, then a couple of other bits and pieces - and there were no expectations of stupid amounts ofmoney spent. I see it still with the kids I teach. Some people use Christmas as a way to make up for what they (wrongly) see as personal failings. In reality all they are creating is super egocentric me me monkeys who get whqt they want and don't understand the value of money nor the value of Christmas! (Yup, huge generalisation above and I know some people just like to spend loads of money and that is great for them, but I know this happens in plenty of cases! Taht is why budget services have so many new clients post Christams as people can't pay for what they bought). -------------  
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 1:05pm
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Miss yep I've seen that time and again too. It's really sad because it actually makes the whole Christmas season quite stressful on parents (and another motivation for them is to keep up with the Joneses), and kids always feel the tension I've heard of heaps of people who get to Christmas and they're still paying for last Christmas! Ugh! ------------- |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 1:56pm
i have spent about 100 on my sona nd my newphew this year and i dont think thats too over broad mum has already given themsome of there pressy but dont feel bad at least we wont be in debt from xmas this year ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 2:07pm
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Ella plays with very few of her toys. We are only getting her about 5 things this year, none of them hugely expensive either. If we had a yard for her to play in, I would have spent more to get a trampoline or slide/swing set, but we don't yet.
Christmas is hugely comercialised (sp?) now and the amount of advertising is ridiculous. I think things like spending time together, by baking, making decorations etc etc are much better than spending money on your kids (note to self, need to do some of these ). I want Ella to grow up appreciating things she is given, and if she ever turns around and starts whinging and whining because she didn't get enough presents, I will kick myself. I hope I can teach her that there is more to life than that. The true meaning of Christmas is in giving, not receiving anyway ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 2:55pm
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If we hadnt got Hannah a swing set ($200) we wouldnt have got her much at all. Just got her a dvd, some books and a few cheapie $2 things for santa sack. I really really dont want her to be spoiled and expect heaps. So Deb, you are definitely not the only one ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 2:58pm
I spent about $50 on ella this year coz shes so young but the family and friends have contributed and now shes got over 20 things im kinda dreading it to be honest 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 3:06pm
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If she gets heaps of toys, put some in a box and rotate them every few weeks. I did this after Hans birthday and she gets so excited whenever we swap them over - they're all like brand new toys for her!! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 3:16pm
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thats a real good idea Aimee. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 3:16pm
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Just gets boring opening them all!! ------------- |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 3:19pm
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Yer spesh when they arent for yourself
Thats a great idea Aimee. I think alot of it is clothing which is cool but i have no room for more 
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 4:29pm
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We've ordered Ella a Jolly Jumper for Christmas, and I've also got her a little set of money box, photo frame and little keepsake box for kids (just $2 ones, but very cute!). I don't think your Christmas spend is a cheap one, Deb - $200 on 2 kids is a good whack of gifts! And anyway, who cares what other families are spending? We've all got our own priorities, eh. ------------- Andie |
Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 4:57pm
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yeah how many of those people put it straight onto the plastic...or used all of their xmas bonuses and will be paying for it into the new year....hmmmm
crazy!!! We can afford that but why would we....that is nuts...$500 per child for xmas...bugger that...I dont even spend that on DH!!! let alone on me or a child... |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 4:58pm
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I think I have only spent $30 on Olivia, I would have spent more but 1 toy I gave to her as soon as I got it home and the other was free but too old for her.
Olivia is too young to care at this age, it is really only extra pressies for me to open on christmas day rather than her. Anyways she is getting totally spoilt rotten by my other family members  . ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: EthansMummy
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 6:29pm
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From Daniel and I Ethan is only getting 1 present and that is a decoration for the tree. It is one of the xmas balls from Ezibuy and it says Ethan 2006. That is all he needs because it doesn't mean anything to him at the moment. ------------- ** MUM TO ** Ethan 29/08/2006 Brooke 22/09/2008 |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 7:08pm
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Yay for some people with common sense! LInelle that is a lovely present ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 9:12pm
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Harry is three and Alex is one and I wouldn't normally worry about getting anything for Alex as he will only be interested in the paper but I don't want Harry thinking that he is the only one that got presents from Santa so we've had to get some for Alex....Box of Animal biscuits, baby food, wipes. Alex wont know and Harry will think its because he's a baby.
I am taking Harry out tomorrow (0900 departure!) to buy a present for Alex as I don't want it to be all about receiving and we are going to buy a toy for pack the bus |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 22 December 2006 at 11:25pm
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I will be honest and say I have probably gone a little bit overboard this Xmas with presents for Erin, BUT my neighbor works for Hasbro... so I was able to get a LOT of things cheap through her (think wholesale prices instead of retail), and I tried to pick the most educational ones I could find, and that will last her longer than a couple of months. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 23 December 2006 at 2:59pm
| Yeah I may have gone a little overboard and its Jacks bday 3 weeks later which I plan to just buy clothes for the next year cos he will be getting so much for xmas. I saved up throughout the year tho so all my stuff is paid for. We spent about $700 all up for everyone. But this year is special because we had no money last year so noone got much and people have helped us out a lot over the year so we are saying thank you as well. |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 24 December 2006 at 12:44pm
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That's cool Rach we have doen that in the past I think as you say if it is all paid for then it is not a prob we did not get orgnised enough to do htat this year, but I am going to start labying early in hte year to get everyhing we want. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 24 December 2006 at 1:13pm
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I laybyed stuff early (more because I didn't want to have to cart the twins around the shops) and spent $260 all up on all three kids - most of that was Maya's leap pad and a leap pad game as I decided no toys this year, she has far too many already. The twins are just getting 'token' presents of rattles and stuff for the same reasons Linda said - so Maya doesn't wonder why Santa didn't visit the twins.
I've also accumulated a few bits and pieces over the months, books from the preschool book club etc. and got the twins a My Blanket blanket with their name on it from the p and c show, but all up it's been a pretty cheap Xmas for us (even more so coz my brothers and sister are overseas so don't have to buy for them this year for once, and I found a $10 photo frame complete with mat board to do a photo montage for my parents and grandparents). I must admit it is pretty good going into the New Year with no significant Christmas-related debt... ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 25 December 2006 at 10:40am
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Deb another thing you can do (but requires self-control) is to save a certain amount week by week (ie $10/week gives you $500 by Christmas), then you can still buy things on special or whatever. ------------- |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 29 December 2006 at 8:17pm
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Yeah I'm going to do that next year I did chrisco toys this year but will never do it again. I saw everything I bought for a good $10-$20 cheaper. I have a friend who works for salvation army and she went down to the supermarket with a list from a chrisco hamper and she said chrisco charge about an extra $150
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 29 December 2006 at 8:28pm
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i save thur my bank every year its great because i no how much i will have for chirssy time and also go o the sales thur the year and slowy pay them off ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |