Presents for birthdays and Christmas advice

Joli2022

So me and my ex try to share what we get our kids for birthdays and Christmas but I am worried that they may get two of the same thing…my ex can be very hard work with her telling me the truth etc etc, what do I do if they get from her what I have got them? 

MovingForwards

Keep the receipts and swap the gifts out or keep them at yours for when the kids are with you.

tealady

Depending how old your kids are why not buy them a "treat day"
Or give them some cash to spend. Dont worry if they fritter it on what you might think is rubbish, it's their choice.

littlegreenparrot

I'm part of a large family, there is a big age gap between me and the youngest. 

From when he was about 4 I stopped buying things, house was full of stuff. Instead we went out for the day somewhere. I would give him a few options so he could choose, he got to decide where we went for lunch. 

We both had a wonderful time, generally tried to do it between Christmas and New year. He understood perfectly that was his present. More than 20 years later we both remember the steam fair at Warwick castle, it had much more impact. 

piesagittariusstick

I agree with the above advices: think out of the box and plan something special for the kids, something she won't think of doing. The best gifts (the ones we remember forever and ever) are totally unique and you can't buy them with money.

So, you know your kids best - what do they really want from their dad? What sort of present can they deem special? 

GiantTCR

Joli2022 said:

So me and my ex try to share what we get our kids for birthdays and Christmas but I am worried that they may get two of the same thing…my ex can be very hard work with her telling me the truth etc etc, what do I do if they get from her what I have got them? 

Just make sure you give them your gifts before she does. 

TBagpuss

ASk her what she is getting them.? 
Cosnider organising  days out of a shopping tip the first time they are with you after christmas, and maybe make a fin package for them to nwrap on the day (e.g. a big box with a small item like a chocolate orange inside, but also a home-made voucher for an activitiy or an ' IOU' for a shopping trip.) 

sheramber

What about a trip to a pantomime or to the cinema?  You could give them the tickets or an IOU.

Make up a box with crumpled newspaper or Christmas paper and put some stocking fillers hidden in amongst it. They can have fun opening that and finding some small gifts and then the trip out afterwards.

pickledonionspaceraider

Buy them musical instruments.  Best gift on earth

matty_bram

Yep, as others said, just keep the receipts so you can exchange them if you want. Or take them somewhere after the the birthday/Christmas and let them have a budget to pick their own gift. 

No need to over complicate it. Just make sure you spend time with them and have fun on those special occasions - that is what they will remember anyway.