According to the Telegraph newspaper
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/8933225/The-price-of-Christmas-112.50-per-child.html
the average budget for Christmas 2011 presents for each child is
£112.50. It appears that many parents will spend less on
their spouses, other family members and friends in favour of their
children.
Agreeing the Christmas shopping budget in some families can
provoke serious friction and may even be a factor in the breakdown
of some marriages. In such cases whilst children's gifts will
not ordinarily be taken into account when trying to divide
matrimonial property, gifts between spouses during the marriage
would be regarded as matrimonial assets.
Gifts from third parties to either spouse during the marriage
(whether at Christmas or any other time) are normally exempt from
the calculation of matrimonial property. Some gifts will be
"converted" into matrimonial property, however, when they are sold
and the proceeds are spent on new assets.
Where presents from third parties have been converted into
matrimonial property or where there have been gifts of assets
between the spouses during the marriage, a valuation may be
required on separation. For advice on all aspects of
separation and divorce, please contact our Family Law
Team.