WIBU to only get my son 1 Christmas present?

[aibuornah]

My son wants an expensive present so I have got it for him, but now I'm seriously worried at the idea he will only have 1 gift to open, his brother will have about 15. It's not mean is it?

You have got to that stage where the gifts are more expensive but the parcels are less comes to us all

I'll add the caveat that we always take it in turns to open a present each which is why I would try to push the number of parcels closer in number, it is the length of time sat watching someone else unwrap that would be my issue rather than the number of individual presents, a 12yo is old enough to get cost and just bee pleased to get what he wanted. If you are more free for all unwrapped it would be less of an issue.

It's just one of those things isn't it. The more expensive the gifts become, the less they get have to open on Christmas morning. He's at an age where he is able to understand this, so I wouldn't worry.

Yeah, I'd get some padding as well. Selection box, hair gel, book etc. If you have a Tiger shop near you they do lots of nice and very cheap gifty stuff.

Even if he understands the monetary value I think he'd still struggle to cope with opening one gift while db has a big pile. Just be inventive. Even charity shop bits might work.

But then she's got to add 20 to other DC and his pile gets even bigger Why?

Just a suggestion if you were thinking of more gifts for ds1, places such as game and CEX do secondhand Xbox 1 games fairly cheaply some are 2 for £25. Or did you get the gold membership with the console he will need that to play, it comes as a gift card type thing you could get that and put it in a gift box.

I make sure the money is fair between them.

I make sure the money is fair between them. well the it's entirely your own doing that your elder will have one gift while the younges has 15. You could choose to add anextra £20 to DS1 and bulk out his stuff a bit, but are choosing not to. nobody cares, particularly your children, how much the gifts cost and whether they are to the exact penny. Spend £20 or have your son only receive one present (which is bothering you) why not?

I think buying a load of cheap stuff for the sake of it is ridiculous but I also think ensuring two children with a fairly large age gap have the same spent on them is ridiculous too.
If he really, really wants the Xbox then he will be happy with that and the stocking surely.

Why is it ridiculous? My younger son wants stuff too... It would be unfair to say he can't have what is on his list, when it comes to less than what his brother wants I am happy with him just having the Xbox now, as it seems that most people think it's okay, especially as he has his stocking

Im getting 2 of my kids a joint expensive (for me) for christmas and thats it. Its what they wanted and im not going to get into debt for one day

Lovely present and I'm sure it'll be enough on its own but cheap fillers from Poundland, selection box etc... would also be great if funds stretch that far.
Slightly off topic, if FIFA 17 came with the x-box then try and sneakily download it first, it can take 6 hours and may spoil Christmas morning. In fact try and download any games that came with the console.

I don't see a problem with that - there's no point buying a pile of stuff he doesn't want or need. He would rather have the Xbox than his brother's kid toys wouldn't he?

Why is it ridiculous? My younger son wants stuff too... It would be unfair to say he can't have what is on his list, when it comes to less than what his brother wants well you never said you hadn't got the younger child's stuff, you said he has about 15 things. Nobody was suggesting you bought for your DS1 to the detriment of DD2's Christmas

What's ridiculous is coming and asking for opinions only to block any attempt by others to offer suggestions. I mean what exactly was your point?

I haven't blocked them I was explaining why they wouldn't work. I now also know it's fine for him to have one gift.

Talk about being sensitive and over invested.

My son had one gift for his birthday last month, he was 9 and he got the x box 1.
He normally has no understanding of money, but even at 9 realised it was a special present to receive and was more than happy with the one present.

Ignore the idiots.

I'm having the same dilemma this year. My 12 year old ds has had more spent on him than my younger 2ds's put together! I go between feeling bad that he only has 3 presents to open to fuck it I have spent enough!

over invested. does this mean 'replying' because it's what every single person with a different opinion doesnotherewhattheywant ever puts as a response

ignore the idiots

Do you mean the people who have suggested perhaps a few small gifts to bulk it out

How do you actually do the present opening on Christmas Day? If you try to take it in turns and show an interest in what each other has received, I'd try to get a few other very small bits to even things out.

Otherwise you'll either end up with older DS opening his only present near the start and then desperately wanting to go off and set it up. Or he'll have to wait until younger DS has got through his presents.

I would buy a few very small things like some chocolate, a magazine etc.

We have a similar situation here. Ds1 is getting a laptop for Christmas. Other than that a chocolate orange and a couple of desperately practical things like a new bath towel. Other than that he'll have to sit and watch ds2 open a slightly larger pile of smaller presents.

Reality16. If you look back at my posts I also suggested bulking it out with cheap presents if possible. I was aiming my post at those who said 1 present versus 15 was unfair and cruel.

OK, so he has his stocking and presents from grandparents and other relatives too - so he'll still have a decent little pile of things to open as well as his 'big' present and it sounds like he's a smart lad who understands about the cost of things. I think he will be fine, OP. He'll be over the moon with his console.

Just make sure nobody else hogs it on Christmas Day ... I still remember getting a keyboard one Christmas aged 13 or 14 and my bloody (adult!!) siblings barely letting me near it for about two days!

I agree with other PP's. Get to home bargains, primark or somewhere similar, and get a couple of useful but cheap pressies.
Novelty Socks, body sprays/toiletries. Scarf/hat etc... stuff that he needs and will use, throw in a chocolate orange and a selection box, that'll sort it for a tenner.

Whilst I get what people are saying about it being fair (it is) because the present is so expensive, I also know what you mean about seeing them only open one gift. It just feels odd, even though it shouldnt!

Good luck OP