How do we split this cost?

[roshi42]

So my mother wants a fairly expensive present for Christmas and we're splitting it among the siblings. There's me, my two sisters and each of their partners. Some discussion about whether we split the cost 5 ways or 3. Or somewhere in the middle! I kind of think the guys should pay less as she's not actually their mother, but splitting it 3 ways feels like I'm paying double because I'm single? All names will just be on the tag equally, of course. Your thoughts? It's not a huge deal or anything, just wondered what everyone thought was most reasonable!

Partners do get individual gifts back from my parents, this is true ElfandSafety!

3 ways definitely imo

I'd split it 4 ways - you and your siblings pay one share each and the remaining share is paid by their partners. So a £100 present is paid £25 each by the three siblings and then £12.50 each from the partners.

That way everyone who is being credited for the purchase has contributed but the single person isn't being "penalised" for not having anyone to share their cost with.

We do usually all buy gifts individually

Really? So normally, your sister will buy your Mum a present but your sister’s husband/partner will buy your Mum a completely different present?

That isn’t how it works in most families. Fine-parents buy for their
Children and also for their children’s partners but my DH doesn’t buy for my mum separately. Likewise, I don’t get a present from my mum and then a different present from my dad. Maybe it would be different if my parents weren’t married.

3 ways

stormstar that's a really horrible way to split present costs and doesn't take into account financial commitments or decisions you make your DB pay a higher portion of a gift cost because you seem him to have more cash because he's single?! Are you sure everyone is happy with that arrangement? MN isfull ofstories about income not being a good indicator of how much disposable cash people have for discretionary stuff like gifts.

3 ways

3 ways. Yes your sister's may ask their partners for half, but if that's the way their relationship goes then their partner's will also be asking for half the cost for their mother's gift.

I buy my mum a gift, DH buys his mum a gift, but we out both our names on both the tags.

3 ways.

You don't have a partner to split to cost with, but also you don't have a partners mum to buy for so its net net.

Definitely 3. I buy for my family but write the tag from me and DP, he buys for his family and writes the tag from him and me

3 ways is the only fair way

Glad you have seen sense OP. It would have been another split three ways from me.

Absolutely 3 ways