But usually a game console is bought for some of the adults in the house to to use - if they're adequately saving than who cares. But when you buy it just for a child (especially if you're not saving) than it seems to set a bar of "what next". When the toys you play with at the age of 8 cost $100 a piece, what are you going to want at 12?

So it's okay for adults to buy $100 toys for themselves if they are adequately saving but it's wrong to buy a child a $100 toy if the parents are adequately saving money. I don't know why you make the distinction. Most likely the only reason why the kid knows it is a $100 toy is if you tell them you spent $100 buying it for them. Therefore, you are your own worst enemy if you continually feel the need to tell your kids what you spent on their present and then have to up the ante the next year. How about not telling the kids what you spent?

PSU