Christmas gifts if you have a toddler too

mommymegan831

How even are your gifts/ spending?  I've tried to keep things pretty close, I got DD ( 3 1/2) a few arts and crafts things and I got DS ( 1 1/2) a set of those markers that only write on the special paper.  They each are getting a set of books, I might get them each a set of Lego Duplo blocks.  I'm going to lay things out this weekend to figure out exactly what I got and when I still want to get, but I definitely have more ideas for DD.  Between having so many toys from DD already and not having any strong interests or wants, I'm having a harder time w/ DS.  Do you worry if you spend or get a little more on one kid if the other one is too little to realize?

NicoleWI

I don't worry at ALL if they are too little to care! We will probably spend way less this year on baby DD than on the other two kids. I try to keep the number of items even for the kids old enough to care, but not the cost. The way it worked out last year, DD1 and DS got very parallel gifts (i.e. each got PJs, each got a new fun outfit, each got books, each got a scooter, each got puzzles, each got 2 other similar play-value toys, whatever).

memali26

I don't worry about the type of gift being equal - as in, they won't both be getting similar gifts - but I keep the spending even. I have a total budget for the kids and split it evenly between them. If that means I end up with 6 gifts for DD1 and 4 for DD2, I just wrap some of DD1's gifts together so they have an equal number of packages to open. That's how my mom did it with her 5 kids, and I feel like it always worked out well.

I'm sure next year with DD3 being so young and us already having so much from the older two that she will have less to open, but I already have a big ticket item in mind that would still keep the budget even.

sschwege

I don't worry at this age.  All that DS is getting this year is practical stuff he needs, bunting, plates, sippys, utensils, etc.  He will be just under one and I'm not spending a ton on stuff he doesn't need in the first place.  Plus I feel like DD's big gift which is an easel will be something he will be able to use as well in a year or so.  I don't know, DD didn't even get any gifts from us her first Christmas, she was only 3 months.   

meg1974

I don't worry about it. As long as one kid doesn't get a lot more gifts than the other, they don't even notice. The one thing I do worry about is the type of gifts. For instance, if I get one of them a baby doll, I always get the other one a baby doll as well. This is because they both love baby dolls, and there will be a tendency to fight over it if only one of them gets one. Other things like puzzles, books, etc. they are more likely to share.