Okay tonight I spoke to my friend about the whole christmas pressie thing with the kids. I was telling her what we got and stuff and her comment to me was you should spend the same on each kid otherwise you are showing favouritism. Hmmm Now when we shop this is what happens my kids make out a list and they number what they want the most etc....... we then chose what we are buying them from us and tell other family members the other things on the list they want. So say last year Tiana wanted 2 certain cds from us so we got them for her and some clothes togs and a beach towel. But Michaela wanted a hair thing that coloured you hair and she got some clothes togs and a beach towel. both girls along with the rest of the kids got a joint present for them all of ps2 games singstar and stuff. I spent something like 50 on Tianas cds and 30 on Michaelas but I got what they wanted. Am I doing it all wrong should I spend the same amount on them all. Not one of them has ever complained. I mean this year Shy is getting a kitten so do I have to buy her other stuff to make up the amount of what i spent on the other kids. WHAT DO YOU DO????????
OK so my comment will probably be rather obsolete but I stil have to put in my two bobs worth lol.
I have five children, and they dont actually complain about the value of their presents, if they recieve what they have been dying for (or all their friends have)
My children also get a joint pressie and one or two small ones
I agree with everyone else, your kids were happy and besides they have no idea how much you spend on them unless you tell them, or they checked out the prices first! If that be the case I would not see why it would matter as you said your kids were happy.
My mum used to buy my sister and I the same things but only because we liked the same things they just used to be different colors, or if the presents were different we'd only end up sharing what we got anyway.
So as long as your kids are happy then price should not be an issue.
Have fun with Christmas. I can't tell you what I do as my kids are 10 years apart in age, and one is a boy the other a girl and they have different tastes.
hi i have just checked out everyones response and i think the advise you are getting is supurb.In my household i dont think about how much i spend om my guys, as long as we have agood day, thats all it matters.Would you worry the same on their birthdays?
remember it is the thought that counts and you don't want to teach your children to be snippy about how 'she got more than me' etc. i think it is great that they love what they receive and they shouldn't be comparing notes on cost anyway as they don't know how much it cost and shouldn't!
you are doing the right thing giving each child equal love and respecting their wishes of what they want. obviously if there was a huge disparity they might notice (i.e. one kid gets a kitty and the other gets the PS2) but you sound like you know what you're doing there.
christmas is about spending time with family and giving. i over spend sometimes on my sister 3 boys she tells me not to but i cant help it, i like to give, and i dont mind getting nothing back in return. if you like to giveand spend a bit, then go for it its your time and money...
The whole reason I wanted to know this is because I spoke to my friend on the phone and as I said we were discussing this. She comes from a large family too and that is what was done in her house they all got pressies of around the same price even if it meant someone getting more than the other. I kind of felt I was a little different as when I spoke to deb on the phone she said she does that too. So I put it to you guys and I think the whole phrase of if it aint broke dont fix it explains it really well but it is interesting to see what other people do. At least I am really sure I am not emotionally scaring my kids if there is a difference in the price of the pressies under the tree. lol
I have a habit of going overboard but am trying to slow it down and keep spending to a minimum. The honest truth is I have four kids and it has been my experience that if they get what (within reason) they want ed then they are happy, as they got older it became trickier but they could choose between a larger item or several smaller ones, sometimes it looked like one got more than the others to me because they chose lots of little things that were not expensive but there hasnt been any hassles, Christmas is about family and love..and there is no right way or wrong way its what works for you. When I used to buy for nieces or nephews then I would try to spend the same amount but fortunately we all decided to buy just for our own kids and that was much better for us.
Who cares what your nieghbour or friends say, if this is what works for you, then go with it! I too have my kids make a list but it is limited to 6 things, but we always throw in a surprise, something we know they wanted but never thought we could afford to buy. Why change what works for you just because of something someone else said? It is not the price of the gift, but the fact that you took the time to shop for them and really know your kids and their wants. Not only are you a good attentive Mom you are one heck of a Santa!!!
I only have one daughter but I do buy presents for my numberous nieces and nephews. I tend to make sure the amount of the presents are the same as i tend to buy one main present and then little presents like selection packs and stocking fillers.
If your children do not complain about who got the most presents why change what you do, If it ain't broke don't fix it!
Why do you care what your friend thinks. Kids don't know the value of money for such a long time, why spead the process up and let your daughter know she is $50 short of your other siblings presents.
My parents did the same thing as you, unfortunately not everything on the list was granted but then I had a great imagination.................... Xmas isn't about money, though my husband and I do set a limit with our daughter, she is 3 at the moment and a $2.99 doll from crazy clarks is a total flip for her.
Don't keep up with the Jones, start a new trend, keep up with yourself
Hi,
Ok you win so far and no I'm not the friend lol Well I am her friend but not the one shes talking about
She wins I thought more would do what i do and spend approx the same amount of money on each child....
We were having a debate lol so she said we could put it to mintis lol
Luv Deb
if this works for you by all means stick with it. i dont see why you should spend the same amount on each child if they are all getting what they want. i spend different amounts on all my family and they do with us this has never been a problem as money isnt what christmas is about and price tags arent left on presents anyway!hehe! dont listen to your friend she sounds silly
Hi Angie,Gosh I love the whole family present thing,we did it for ours and for other kid families.I think buying from a list they have compiled is great......just make sure you keep it for later refference HEH HEH HEH.You're doing great!
i don't spend the same amout on my kids, like you i see what they want and buy a few things from their list, my youngest is 19 months so i only get him a few thing because at his age he cares more for the wrapping paper or box than the gift but i do try to get the eldest three the same amount of gifts to save on the "they got more than me" arguement but the other thing i do is out of thier list i get them to pick one thing to put under the charity tree at the shopping centre so they know that they are sharing thier gifts with someone less fortunate and the past few years they make something for me as a present which i treasure, i like to think i teach my kids the meaning of christmas but like all children they can't wait to see what they got for christmas, i think there isn't a problem with what you do, it is great that you get your kids something they will use.
The kids have the same amount under the tree here too. I always every year but do the togs or clothes thing because they need them and they are used to it the older ones say there goes the togs when they go under the tree. hehe the younger ones get santa presents too but so they do have a little more than the older ones. I love it when the kids make you things for chrissie. They are sooo cute I have a handprint from Michaela and Aidan in clay they made for me one year. Why do they grow up so quick??
I think what you have done is great. I always worry that my kids will hate what I buy so I get my oldest, as the other is too young to talk lol, to write a list for santa and before I post it I take a peek. Also I don't think you can measure gifts in prices because you could buy something for say $100 and have your kids hate it or you could get something for 10 and they'll love it.It all comes down to your kids preferences. I do think that kids should be told that xmas isn't only about receiving gifts and maybe they could wrap some old toys up to give to a charity or something. Hope this helps.
the kids are very good about christmas we do have a little put aside most years to buy small pressies for under the charity chrissie tress in the shops usually around a couple of the kids ages but alas for last year and this we can not afford to do this. They are very good about whatever we get them for sure but I just want to make sure that i am not doing the wrong thing by not spending around the same amount on each of them. I would never want any of them to think i preferred one over the other. They are always very happy christmas morning with what they get no matter what the prices. a couple of years ago a person near us house burnt down and the girls went through their cupboards to give them clothes to put under the tree and john gave away all his action men and trucks for their son so i think they do realize the meaning of giving i do try.
Your girl's sound so sweet. I don't really think they will care how much is spent on them as long as they like what they have. Don't worry I think what your doing is fine.
what u should of done is explain 2 your kids that xmas is all about there are to many other kids out there who has no home 2 go 2 , no food , no new clothes & no toys , the spirit of xmas is about giving is not what you wont ..its about sharing , showing your love to your family & understanding the meaning of it .... if any kids give the parents a list 4 xmas then its up 2 u guys to tell them the story & not what they see on TV ...... good luck with the xmas shopping LOL
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OK so my comment will probably be rather obsolete but I stil have to put in my two bobs worth lol.
pito
.You're doing great!
