Did all my wrapping today.......for the love of god please save me from the twitch.....

[soontobeslendergirl]

I have 12 and 13 year old boys. I've done my shopping and today dragged all the stuff from it's hiding places and wrapped it all. Compared to past years (usually because of copious amounts of Lego) the piles look small.

I've spent plenty, they have a main present each and the rest is mainly made up of computer games and books or accessories to go with the main present so in my head there is a lack of variety (I know this is nonsense btw).

I am only feeling this way because there are no toys/big box items other than their main presents.

The other thing making me a bit jittery is that there is nearly £200 difference in value between the 2 boys piles, this is completely down to the difference in price of the main gift though.

Younger son is getting a laptop which he needs and I know he will like and use but wouldn't have been his no1 choice (that was a PS4). Eldest had no idea what he wanted, he's getting an Xbox 360 which I know he will like - I've done a bit of fishing about it with him.

Eldest tends to save his money and bought himself a laptop last year and got a double bed and his room done up for his birthday and got a tv for his birthday the previous year.

Younger son covets all these items and has an enormous chip on his shoulder even though he got things that he asked for for his Christmas/Birthdays and he didn't choose the items he previously coveted!! He is also a bit of a scatter cash when he does have money.

Anyway, I am started to think that eldest is actually being hard done by as in general his brother is much more demanding and tends to have a list as long as your arm of what he would like and eldest rarely does.

I need to talk myself out of buying anything else for either of them. in the eldest's case he will really like what he is getting and hasn't asked for anything anyway so the cost is irrelevant. And in the youngest's case, he has had plenty spent on him, the fact that it wouldn't be his No1 choice is irrelevant. I just need to keep repeating that over and over and over again!!!!

[Marne]

I have the twitch because I didn't wrap mine at the same time and I keep forgetting what I have bought and then panicking that I havnt bout enough.

Im sure both your boys will be fine with what you have bought, I have spent more on dd2 than I have dd1, mainly because dd2 loves everything, plays with everything and has asked for quite a bit, dd1 only asked for a few s mall things and spends her time glued to the pc or DS (she already has all she needs and I don't want to waste my money buying things she will not use).

[MiracleOntheM4]

As your eldest is prudent with his savings, I'd be tempted to top them up if affordable.

I'm the eldest of two and was similar, saving for various things, so my DSis tended to get more expensive presents (in fact still does!) but DPs are scrupulous about ensuring they spend the same on us both!

[MiracleOntheM4]

Should add it wouldn't really bother me if they didn't spend equally - especially now as I am fortunate enough to be in a better financial position despite us both working equally hard in our respective careers - but think it makes mum feel better!

[soontobeslendergirl]

Ha ha Marne - that's what mine are like. No2 son would ask for the moon and No1 son has to be plied with suggestions.

I took advantage of the fact that they are both away camping yes camping, in tents, in the cold of winter to find all the hidden stuff and lay it all out, wrap it and stash it away - now I've got rid of all the packaging, everything bar the main bits now fits under the spare bed - stocking stuff has been divided and is in 2 marked plastic bags waiting to be poured into the stockings when I get them from the loft.

I do have a couple of small bits still to arrive and then that is it. I need to step away from the deals websites now and shut my ears to No2 sons late additions to his list.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

my 11yo DD has a load of presents (she loves PJs , bath smellies, underwear, jewellery)

DS (14 next week) is a nightmare to buy for. He has a birthday and Christmas.
He's had a driving lesson and an X-Box game early , upgrade to his computer
I've bought his Christmas Eve Hamper things.
Some stocking gifts (and equivilant for DD)
But his present 'pile' will be : X-Box top up points, Game gift voucher and money., Assassins Creed T-Shirt, headphones to use on X-Box

I've bought wrapping paper and money gift envelopes. He won't need much wrapping paper.

Oooh but The Twitch is nipping

[soontobeslendergirl]

yes, Miracle, that is maybe an idea although I don't believe he is saving for anything in particular at the moment.

No2 son is aware that he isn't getting a PS4 for Christmas so has decided to save up for one - he sold some stuff recently so is probably about half way there - Christmas gifts will top that up but I expect he will still be about £100 or so short.........I wouldn't put it past No1 son not to go and buy himself one even though he doesn't really want/need one just to annoy his brother!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I could buy my DS the Moon on a Stick and I know he'd rather have money.
Not to spend. Oh no not him.
He puts it in his bank account to gloat privately.

"My precious. Nice things"

[Marne]

I wish dd1 was into girly things (she's more into boy things), would make it easier to make her pile look bigger, she has asked for some fluffy socks though, all she really wants is a DS game and some pokemon figures, oh and she asked for a game boy advance to play old pokemon games on (cost me £17 for the game boy and £5 for a game). All the things her sister has asked for come in huge boxes (mainly plastic tat but she will love it) and she loves music so have got her some bongo drums because I got rid of her noisy drum kit . Dd1's pile looks tiny compared to dd2's, I have bought dd1 a few box sets of books this week to make her pile a bit bigger.

[soontobeslendergirl]

Ha ha 70 yes that's exactly what No1 son is like - he wasn't so bad as a little boy, he liked to save and also to spend. he needs to learn to let go a little........no son of mine is going to be a tight arse!! :o

...and No2 son needs to learn the value of saving but I think if he can stay on track and actually manage to get the PS4 then he will have turned a major corner.

Marne yes, the books will bulk it up a lot and they never go wrong in my house anyway - it's getting them to let them go and get them out the house when they have outgrown them that is the problem.