How do I make birthday gift fair

[Skittles2024]

It's my sons 9th birthday mid April. My other son will be 8. 3 weeks later. They both want a gaming console for their birthday. To get them one each it's going to be at least 600. I could do it with a bit of a short term struggle. But im not sure if I can justify spending that much money on 2 items. Plus on top of that I will need to get them a few other items for them to open.

If I done a shared console how do I make that fair. They won't question that it's shared . But it will confuse them. Like if i do it on ds that's turning 9 birthday then what about other Ds on his actual birthday? Should I just say that other ds main birthday present is shared to. I know he would like a basket ball hoop which is 100-150

Have you looked at getting second hand ones?

I would price them up, then give the kids the option if having a second hand one each or a shared on that will be given on X day (between their birthdays).

Do they want anything else? I would personally only do joint gifts at Christmas. Alternatively could they sell old toys, put birthday money together to buy one after their birthdays? You could gift both of them a nominal amount towards it as part of their birthday gifts.

Also if its given to one to share how are you going to ensure it remains fair? All our consoles have always been family items which stay downstairs. They get given games as gifts which are solely theirs to sell or trade in as they wish.

I would discuss it with them in advance. If they're happy to share, get them each something smaller to open on the day, then get the games console at the mid-point between their birthdays.

Ask them? They are old enough to understand.

To save it not being on either ones birthday could you give them a shared console a bit before their birthdays then on their actual birthdays give them a game each and other little bits and pieces?

Yes this. I wouldn't get them a shared gift without talking about it. One or both might choose to wait and save rather than share.
But if they're happy to share do it between birthdays or decide with them when to get the gift.

Did you get pregnant at three months post partum? Sorry I know that's really none of my business.

Involve them with deciding. Get them a couple of other bits to open on their own day.

Personally I think I'd encourage them to get it on the first one's birthday, or the week between will be a bit miserable. Very few kids would complain about getting their birthday present a week early!

Help them set up some ground rules for sharing it so no one misses out. Get them to understand that whether they have their own or shared, it would be in a shared space downstairs or something so they don't really lose out by sharing (if in fact this is how you'd do it.)

I guess I must have 🤣

That's what I was thinking as well. Younger ds will just be excited to have it to share. And be happy it's like an early shared present for him.

It would be kept in the living room because older DS has autism. He has no concept of time. And although he's loves a console he gets upset to. So I want to keep an eye on things.