Panicking about my Christmas present piles

[Paddingtonjuice]

Having last minute panic attack about my children’s presents after wrapping tonight. I have got almost everything from my children’s lists. 13 year old has a huge pile because they haven’t asked for any wow present just things like collectible figures he likes and computer games. I may have overcompensated actually because of the lack of wow present.

10 year old has asked for a gaming laptop. I have spent twice as much on them than the 13 year old but their pile looks shit. How can I give 13 year old a huge pile when 10 year old comes downstairs to a small pile? I’ve got a remote control car, a few Nintendo figures and some chocolate to add to the laptop. Could you do this? My mum says no. My Dh says yes as he has a great present.

I think I would get him a couple of less expensive items to open so it is more equitable. IMO Kids notice the number of presents.

Those who don't gather their child/rens presents together. My sister and I were children in the late 1940s/50s and we would place pillowcases at the bottom of our beds on Christmas Eve. When we woke on Christmas morning we would wiggle down until our
feet could feel all the lumpy presents.

Presumably this is akin to stockings which is entirely different

Why don't you make the remote control car a 'sharing present' for both of them, won't that even it out? I like to get one present for my two that is for sharing. That way I can harp on about the importance of sharing their toys in the lead up to Christmas when they are whining and arguing, otherwise "Santa won't bring the sharing present".

Also I like the fact it sort of reduces how much I compare their presents - I know what you mean, us mums tend to overthink it! My Mum is the same, and she still obsessed over whether all her presents to her grandkids are exactly equal - I'm sure none of the grandkids notice or care though!

Hope you have a lovely Christmas x

@Elsielouise13

Crazy how people want to attack the OP.

We all want to make memories for our children and when mine where little I wanted to create memories of wonder.

As they have grown older they are more aware of value. But I still remember the year my family bought my brother a new bike and me a wooden school desk because I was the ‘academic’ one.

Not over it. I wanted a puppy.

I'm still not over the year I asked for a magic wand, I thought I was so clever because then I could wish for whatever I wanted all year. The toy magic set with the plastic wand that popped up a cloth flower when you pushed it just didn't cut it 😂 My poor mother!

Magic wand

If I've spent more on one than the other I make sure they they know it all evens out at some point or other. It only becomes a problem if it's consistently uneven with one child losing out.

I don't count exactly how much it costs as long as it's roughly equal. If something is in the sale then it's full value would roughly be counted.

So whilst not an exact science I like to think I treat my children fairly. They know it's swings and roundabouts and any immediate perceived injustice if there is any, as they probably wouldn't say should be immediately counteracted by the knowledge that over time it even outs.