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Original poster

How do your kids split the cost of presents?

35 replies

moaningmoo · 30/12/2021 20:04

Just going off what I overheard between my two kids over christmas. DD1 works a full time job and is 27, (as this is about money) she earns about £50k. DD2 is 22 and in the final year of her languages degree, has no job and is a 'broke' student, but scrapes by.

I think they spend about £70-80 on each parent for christmas. They split the cost down the middle, as it is a joint present. DD2 was a bit disgruntled and said to DD1 that it wouldn't hurt her to pay more than half as she is actually working.

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 30/12/2021 20:05

We just buy presents separately
Your DD on £70k should pay more IMO

Blossom64265 · 30/12/2021 20:07

We rarely buy joint presents. It’s just too tricky with disparate incomes.

BrambleyHedge · 30/12/2021 20:07

My children all buy their own and budget £5-£10 for each parent and each other (still pocket money age).

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WorraLiberty · 30/12/2021 20:08

Why isn't your other DD working alongside her studies?

They should just buy separately I think.

Kitkat151 · 30/12/2021 20:09

My 3 adult children all buy me separate presents....always have

WorraLiberty · 30/12/2021 20:09

@WorraLiberty

Why isn't your other DD working alongside her studies?

They should just buy separately I think.

That sounded snippy! Blush

What I meant was, is she trying her hardest to find work and that's why she thinks her sister should help her out?

DuggeeHugPlease · 30/12/2021 20:10

My kids are too young to buy their own presents but amoung my siblings we all buy presents for parents independently and always have done. We do all have quite varying incomes so would be a nightmare to decide on budgets.

HeddaGarbled · 30/12/2021 20:14

As with PPs, separate presents from each: one very generous, one very astute.

actiongirl1978 · 30/12/2021 20:16

I don't split present costs with my dbro. We have massively different incomes and lives.

My children are teens and don't buy us presents or if they do it is funded by us!

imnotacelebritygetmeoutofhere · 30/12/2021 20:18

Separate presents. Budget doesn't matter, a pair of socks is welcome, it's the thought and gesture that counts.
Curious to know what job your older DD has that earns her £50K at age 27? Not sniping, just curious.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 30/12/2021 20:19

Yup, brother and I/dh and SiL always buy separate.

Unless there is something specific, such as PiL asked for a photo of SiL, her family and us (dh, me and ds) a couple years back. So we split the cost of it all. We also put a joint hamper together to go alongside it.

Sarahplane · 30/12/2021 20:28

We usually do separate presents but if buying together my dsis usually pays more as she earns more.

Kezzie200 · 30/12/2021 20:37

My children live away but buy us joint presents and do 50/50. I know one is on double the earnings of the other, but not sure they each know this detail. I'm delighted they get on so well (and their partners do too).

Gatehouse77 · 30/12/2021 20:44

Mine split it equally but budget according to the lowest denominator. 2 are at Uni and not earning except picking up a few bar shifts in the holidays. 1 is working but not highly paid.

My siblings and I did the same.

DappledThings · 30/12/2021 20:49

Never did joint presents with my brother. Don't do adult presents at all now. My children are still too young to do anything by themselves but I hope will never start buying me presents so this isn't ever a stress they need to deal with.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 30/12/2021 20:50

We have bought separately for our parents since we have had our own money. Our spending has varied according to our means, I spent more than my sister when she was a single Mum on benefits and I was a young professional with no commitments but equally when I was made redundant and my sister was in secure employment with a decent side hustle she spent more. Generally we spend about the same these days.

We do joint presents for a few aunts and family friends and split the cost equally but they are smaller gifts.

megletthesecond · 30/12/2021 20:52

Separate presents according to their budgets. Sounds awfully complicated buying joint presents at that age.

Smartiepants79 · 30/12/2021 20:56

My sister and I have occasionally bought presents together for big birthdays but would usually buy separately.
I have more disposable income than her currently but our incomes have always been quite similar.
We would split 50/50 or buy to our own budgets.
We would sub each other if needed I think.
We have a good relationship and would never argue about money. I would never question what she’s spent as I know she has bought her gifts with love and thought.

caringcarer · 31/12/2021 00:37

3 DC buy us a gift each. 1 bought me a new chair for when I go to watch a cricket match at local club, 1 bought me an afternoon cream tea for 2 at Kitty Cafe and the other bought me a long weekend break to Bruge. They all have differing budgets. I was happy with all thoughtful gifts. Why do your dc split gifts?

Yuledo · 31/12/2021 00:40

We specifically say we don’t want them to spend much but if they are feeling flush they might spend a bit more.

negomi90 · 31/12/2021 00:52

This year my dad sent a list with options and I let my brother pick first, he paid for his and I paid mine.
I paid for my sisters presents for our mum and my step dad (their dad).
I work and am well paid, my brother is full time uni, my sisters are teens and in school. None of them are in positions to work. As the only working one I feel I should pay more.

Just10moreminutesplease · 31/12/2021 00:57

Me and DSIS split roughly down the middle, but we’re not fastidious about it.

There have definitely been times when I’ve deliberately paid more because my financial situation was better and I have the suspicion she’s done the same (mainly when one or both of us was in sixth form/uni). But it’s not something that should be expected. Your elder daughter isn’t financially responsible for her little sister so paying more of her share is entirely optional.

PinkSyCo · 31/12/2021 01:19

They should buy you presents separately. Your eldest is tight.

Mylittlepixie · 31/12/2021 02:13

When we buy joint gifts we split it evenly.

ShippingNews · 31/12/2021 03:10

They should be buying separate presents. My DC are both adults, they'd never dream of doing a joint present.

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