#329 Santa’s Spending Spree: Too Much for a Teen?

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall asks if parents are going overboard with Christmas spending on their children. A listener contacted the show, saying her sister plans to spend over €1,300 on an iPhone for her 13-year-old daughter—a move she finds wasteful and spoiling. Is this an example of excessive gifting, or is it just a sign of changing times?

Some callers argue that parents today spend far too much, worrying that expensive gadgets create unrealistic expectations and overshadow the true spirit of the holidays. For them, Christmas should be about family time, not flashy presents.

Others see nothing wrong with splurging if parents can afford it. They believe that it’s each family’s personal choice how to celebrate and that expensive gifts might simply reflect the world kids are growing up in.

Niall wraps up by acknowledging the tension between tradition and modernity, as listeners grapple with how much is too much when it comes to decking the halls with pricey gifts.