Do you spent EXACTLY the same amount on each of your children?

choccyface2006

I always keep a log of exactly what I have bought my two daughters for Christmas to make sure I spend the same on each (give or take a pound or two.)

Rather than buying things just to make up the numbers though, I sometimes make it up with a voucher to spend later. It can be hard but I would feel very guilty about spending more on one than the other even though they would probably never know!

Do you do this? Or do you spend depending on their ages or what they have asked for?

Sarah

Pooky

I don't spend the same amounts on my 2, I try and make sure it's about even but won't go overboard on any one pressie. I do make sure they have the same amount of pressies to open though and if one has a huge box then I will try and even it out so it looks the same (maybe by wrapping 2 things together to make it appear the same).

Last year was a nightmare for that though, we got given an old battered laptop which DH did up for one daughter and the other one got a large tv (from freecycle) for her room......neither present cost us money but of course value and size wise they were poles apart, we put the lap top and an old lap top bag (donated by a friend) into a big box filled with bubble wrap and made it appear the same size as the tv....(which we covered in bows and ribbons).

To be honest, although both my DD's appreciate the vaule of things, I'm not sure they'd ever question if one's present was more than the others, I'm hoping that they've been rasied well enough that they're just really greatful to recieve anything (well, I can hope lol)

doogle_chick

This is interesting cos me and DH were having exactly this conversation yesterday!!

I set a budget for each of my children (7 and 3) and make sure that I stick to it - I log everything that I buy - even the stocking fillers. Any shortfall I give them as cash (direct to their bank account so they don't actually know!)

Thanks to a MSE'r, I got lots of bargains from the Amazon clearance. OH thinks I should put each one down as its RRP not what I actually paid for it! Ie if I budgeted £50 for one child and got them 2 PS2 games that should have been £25 each but actually were half price, then I should say that's the £50 budget spent even though it only actually "cost" me £25. I felt this was unfair and I wanted to actually spend the same actual expenditure on each child not what everything should have cost. We still haven't reached agreement on this one :rolleyes:

irchy_mum

My children will be almost 7 & 3 1/2 at Christmas,our budget is £50 each but if one comes up short by a few quid,I'm not going to worry (just put it towards Christmas booze:rolleyes: )

They have no idea of the monetary value of anything , so I'm not going to feel guilty although I will give them the SAME amount of presents to open.

Smashing

I wouldn't - not like the kids are going to be checking receipts to see who mum 'loves more.'

chrisandrob

I dont spend the same amount ,ours are 6,10,12 ,can get loads of parcels for the little one for the price of a phone or ds or whatever the older one wants ,just get them each a main present,and a few smaller ones

Rubyru_3

My children are 13,9 and 4. It would be impossible to keep them the same in monetary value.To them its not about how much it costs but things they like.

*Louise*

Mine are different amounts at the moment - but only because of the age gap.

Last year DS2 was only 6 months so he only got half the amount as his big brother - it seemed silly to buy too much for a baby.

This year he will still get a bit less - but when he is old enough to understand christmas, then they will get (roughly) the same.

Pollybear

I've always tried to spend the same amount on each, within a pound or two.

flufff

Ive 4 children.It is impossible to spend the same on each.What i try to do is make sure they have the same number of presents and piles of presents look similar sizes.I do my best monetary wise.I also try to think of how much playtime each toy gives.
Its so hard when games are so expensive and small.
My eldest is autistic so very hard to buy for.My middle lad I could spend a fortune on,littlun wants to be like him so isnt into stuff his age.As for madam well shes 12....a difficult age nuff said lol

loopylass

ive got 4 and yes i always spend the same amount on each and the same amount of presents i have to write everything down for each child plus price of gift but its difficult this year as they havnt given me any clue what they want only little things my eldest is 18 as well on the 23rd dec and as he works p/time while his at college buys most things himself so i really am stuck
When they were younger it was so easy for stocking fillers etc i have bought the usual smellies and stuff and have searched the shops but cant think of anything else
my daughter shes 12 and easy a big gob stopper that will last 6 months:rotfl: if only lol no really shes an angel Dont you just love it when they get older:rolleyes: