MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should the twins get the same value presents?

Penny_Pincher_37

Surely, it is up to the parent to set the gift level, not the children? If you ask them both to choose something that is up to say, £50, the parent is in control and the children will end up choosing things of equal value. Besides, call me Scrooge, but isn't £100 a heck of a lot of money to be spending on a 10 year old for a Christmas present - I would make them share the present between them or say it had to be joint birthday/Christmas.

TRT

Myrtle wrote: »

They're 9 Tara. Dd2 has asked for just a pencil for the last 4 years now, bless her. It won't be all she gets though but I have bought her the hugest pencil EVER! :rotfl:

You've been to the pencil museum in Keswick?

tallgirld

I would get them one pair of roller skates TO SHARE and save me self some money!!!

BAH HUMBUG ;-)

Taffybiker

There is no moral dilemma here. Two 10 year olds are savvy enough to know that parents/family members buy the gifts - especially when the labelling reads "love from grandma" or similar. Once my children realised this I stopped insulting their intelligence. Despite being different ages, the values of the gifts are as equal as possible, but geared towards their preferences.
I would prefer a Merry Christmas without sibling resentment or rivalry.

If a child has to ask for what they want, perhaps it is time to get to know your child better.

roseygrech

never_enough wrote: »

If the parents can afford it give them both what they asked for. There's no need to buy extra for one to make it up to the same cash value as the other. They both get what they wanted for Christmas, which is the main thing.

I agree. If that's what each would really like then their Christmas will be great. Whilst you would try to treat them (moneywise) as equally as possible if their actual choices or preferences differ, go with the flow. After all you wouldn't force them both to have piano lessons just because one has shown a musical talent would you?

Merry Christmas everyone! :rudolf:

pineapple

10 years old is not too young to start learning about the cost of things. I suppose it depends on the wealth of the household but I would be inclined to scale down the £100 gift rather than top up the lower. Kids have to learn that 'I want' doesn't necessarily mean 'I get'.

loopeyloo75

i have 3 kids of 16 10 and 8. i try to buy them what they really want. so no i dont spend the same and i dont make it up with silly little gifts to get it the same. the twins should get what they asked for and be happy. its usually only spoilt selfish kids that worry if one is getting more spent on it than the other. maybe when my kids are older and left home i will spend the same amount as my mum does on my sister and i.

BigMama60

I would spend around the same.
I have always tried to spend approx. the same on my children. They are now 19,16,15 and 13. The eldest asked for Guitar Hero World Tour for XBox £150, 16 yr old wanted XBox with Hard Drive. Girls wanted a DS and a camera. The cost of the boys presents is more than we can afford. My husband has no job after January. This though hasnt been taken into consideration by the boys, they just want what they have asked for.
I have not brought them up to be materialistic, but it happens, peer pressure etc determins this too.
They have been told this and have had to have their presents off evryone(they have off 1 Aunt and Uncle and 2 Grandparents). They have money from these relatives so that will come to me. The girls will have the same spent on each but keep their money presents.
I have always liked them to have good birthdays and Christmases but I think it has worked against me as they dont like being told that we cannot afford it.
Ho Hum Christmas id coming as I have seen the Coca Cola advert today!!!:T :j

Glowboy

We have two boys aged five and nearly three. I, wearing my money-saving hat and remembering how many toys from past years have been quickly discarded or broken, think we spend too much money on them; Mrs G says my idea of a budget is straight out of the 60s. :rotfl:

The older son has discovered wish lists and the Argos catalogue. We've told him:
a) we will try to get both of them lots of things that they will like;
b) he will not get everything he's asked for;
c) he may not get the same number of presents as his brother;
d) we may not spend the same amount on him as on his brother;
e) if he complains about the presents he receives, he will get fewer next time!

I don't think it would be any different if they were twins, except we'd be having the conversation with both of them.

For those who assiduously spend the same amount on each child, I pose a slightly different dilemma.

Gabriella and Monica want presents (maybe toys from the same range) which cost a similar amount. But when you start shopping, you find that one of them is available at a sizeable discount. Would you take the discount and if so, would you spend it on another present?

Getting_On_In_Years

If the parents are in the fortunate position - twins should get what they asked for. If not parents should give twins either gift vouchers or cash to buy whatever they wish in the January Sales