Christmas is a very important time for families, so it makes sense that couples will want to splash out on their baby's first festive season. But, when your little one will barely remember the event, how much is too much?
New research from the Post Office has found that, for their first Christmas, babies under one year-old will receive presents from their doting mummies and daddies amounting to a cool average of £166.
That's £135 million across the UK. Which is strange, considering the fact that the majority of babies will be more enamoured with the twinkling Christmas lights, the music and the wrapping paper than the gifts themselves.
Younger parents, usually first-time parents themselves, are shown to be the biggest spenders, with those between the ages of 18 and 24 revealing that they'll spend in the region of £245 on gifts alone. That's £80 above the national average - and, when you throw in friends and family spending around £50 on a baby's first Christmas, that is a LOT for Father Christmas to cram into his sack.
The top 10 presents for a baby's first Christmas
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Teddy bear / soft toys
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Interactive or educational baby games
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Baby clothes and shoes
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Christmas themed costumes
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Child’s nursery decorations or furniture
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Slings, high-chairs, baby-walkers or baby chairs
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Photo album of ‘baby’s first Christmas’
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Contribution to a savings account
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Luxury nappy bags, bottles, changing mats or other luxury day-to-day accessories
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Jewellery, such as lockets or bracelets
At the other end of the scale, 17% of parents have revealed they've absolutely no problem whatsoever in returning gifts intended for their newborn. And, after cashing in, they've used the money to buy iPads, clothes, jewellery and even ‘a holiday to Egypt’ for themselves.
Yup, a holiday to Egypt. We're sure baby will enjoy their first big trip!
It's difficult to find a balance, isn't it? You want to celebrate the occasion appropriately, but you don't want to knowingly waste money on an event your baby will not remember.
So what's the alternative?
Well, 38% of parents are planning to put money aside in a savings account to mark their child’s first Christmas - the average contribution is about £98.
Sarah Willingham, personal finance expert and consumer champion, said: “I think it’s a really positive trend that we’re seeing here of parents being practical when it comes to their child’s first Christmas."
"Economically, the UK is not out of the woods just yet and it makes perfect financial sense for parents to be savvy with their cash from the off. After all, what will the grown-up child remember – a mountain of long-since discarded toys or a financial contribution to their future?”
We guess it depends on your personal situation, but we imagine a few simple (and thrifty - ever thought about knitting your own booties?) baby presents are the way forward, teamed with a baby savings account. But that's just us!