Keeping kids’ presents fair

[CluelessAboutBiology]

I have a niece and nephew, siblings, aged 5 and 11. I have bought them two presents each and spent the same amount on each, bar one pound. However, I bought the 11 year old’s presents in a sale and they are worth nearly twice what I paid.

I don’t want to look like I’m favouring the 11 year old and spending more on them than on the 5 year old. Ought I buy the 5 year old something else to make the value of the presents more even?

Erm, no

No, leave it as it is I'd say. The actual monetary value is probably less important to the kids than the appearance of fairness.

Tbh it’s not so much the kids thinking it’s fair, more their father

In my experience kids of that age are focused more on number of things to open/size than value.
And who cares what their dad thinks? It's nice of you to buy your niece and nephew a gift.

The impression of fairness is more important than the amount being equal. If it's very obvious that the 5 yo's gifts are less than the 11 yo's (to either the child or their parent) then you could add a little something. Especially if you're closer to the older child, or the father might think you are.

But meh, I wouldn't worry too much: gifts get more expensive as children get older, so you probably spent less when the oldest was 5 themselves. And presumably they'll both love their gifts.

@strawberrybubblegumI think they will like their presents. The oldest has got two jumpers/sweatshirts from a brand that is apparently fashionable for their age that their mother says they like, the youngest has got some character-branded merchandise that their mother says they are into.

Sounds perfect. Parents of tweens are painfully aware of how the price goes up between the ages of character merch and branded clothes! I'm sure they'll be grateful that you've chosen so thoughtfully.