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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not spend double on a present when my twins are invited to a party

37 replies

brook1 · 09/10/2009 12:24

Am not really sure what is right to do. My twins have been invited to a party for one of their classmates. I would normally spend about £7-£10 on a present, which appears to be an average amount here (have discussed this with my close friends).

This party is at a play thing which probably costs around £10 per head. I have bought a present and spent a little extra - £12. Do you think this is mean or ok?

For the record, when I have had parties for my twins, it is VERY obvious that many spend much less on each present because they are buying for 2. I totally understand that it gets expensive and have no problem with this myself. But, will everyone else think the same way.

OP posts:
tattycoram · 09/10/2009 12:26

Absolutely fine in my book.

pofacedandproud · 09/10/2009 12:26

I don't think it is mean at all.

LadyoftheBathtub · 09/10/2009 12:26

I think you're fine. After all I have one child, some friends have two or more, they each get a present from us (on different birthdays obv) but when they come to DS's party they don't give him a present each. Not a problem at all.

pofacedandproud · 09/10/2009 12:27

we always have a brother and a sister at ds's parties and they always bring one present.

Spoo · 09/10/2009 12:28

YANBU.

Sassybeast · 09/10/2009 12:29

YANBU. I would alwayd do one present from siblings, twins or otherwise.

IdrisTheDragon · 09/10/2009 12:30

YANBU - when twins have come to DS's parties, they have brought one present. I wouldn't have expected otherwise.

ellipsis · 09/10/2009 12:31

YANBU. Makes sense to me.

ChilloHippi · 09/10/2009 12:32

YANBU. What you have spent sounds fine to me.

pooexplosions · 09/10/2009 12:33

YANBU. And if the hosts are sitting around calculating the costs of presents vs cost ofr party / by no of attendeees, they have serious problems of their own, imo.

Relax, you're fine.

Mybox · 09/10/2009 12:34

I'd take two presents as it's nice for each child to give something & if there are party bags they'd most likely get one each.Plus the birthday parents are paying for both your kids to be at the play centre.

FABIsInTraining · 09/10/2009 12:34

YANBU.

If going to twins parties I would send a gift for each twin but if my 2 children are going to a single child's birthday I would buy 2 gifts.

Ivykaty44 · 09/10/2009 12:35

No - some people will spend £5 on a present for each party their children go to - other people will spend £12 on each present, everyone is different and earn different amounts.

What is lovely in my book the thought that has gone into the present and that doesn't always equarte with expense.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 09/10/2009 12:36

No, YANBU- that is absolutely fine. Oh, and I don't thhink you should worry about your present covering the cost of the party.

Firawla · 09/10/2009 12:43

yanbu i think its fine

mumof2222222222222222boys · 09/10/2009 12:44

My DSs friends the triplets bought just the one pressie to his party and I thought that was fine.

AitchTwoToTangOh · 09/10/2009 12:46

it's a present for the birthday child, not per child attending, isn't it?

SmokingKnickers0nMahead · 09/10/2009 12:52

just one present from both of them is fine.

MorrisZapp · 09/10/2009 14:01

YABU

Only kidding.

GeeWhizz · 09/10/2009 14:08

DD had twins to her party and one present - perfectly acceptable

MilaMae · 09/10/2009 14:30

I only spend £4 for bd parties so you're spending double what I do anyway-I have twins too. Also they get so much from parties(far and above what any child really needs) nobody should be worrying about how much is spent at all. Our gifts are pretty much family gifts anyhow,from us all(dd is also close in age)

My twins just had their party and they were thrilled with every single present. I think thought about what you are giving is worth far more than price. One of mine has suddenly got into Top Trumps and one of his friends gave him some Bug trumps-one of his best ever presents apparantly and so thoughtful.

I think expensive party presents are really bad for children to be honest,to receive 20X gifts over £5 would be very excessive imho. If a mother wants to spend £10 a head on her child's party that's her choice. To have that spent on a child is enough, presents big or small are an added bonus.

Pikelit · 09/10/2009 14:40

I'd go with a "one party" rather than "two twins" rule meself!

SixtyFootDoll · 09/10/2009 14:42

Yanbu to buy one present
Yabu to tot up what everyone spends on your children though

Jamieandhismagictorch · 09/10/2009 14:50

I agree Mila A £2 present can be more thoughtful than a £10 one

Original poster
brook1 · 09/10/2009 14:52

Thanks everyone, I feel happy with what I have bought now.

Sixtyfootdoll, I really do not tot up what is bought for my DC at all. But my twins are girls and I also have another daughter and I was just pointing out that its quite obvious that people dont spend per child when its the twins birthday. I couldnt care less to be honest, but as I say, it IS noticeable, and I mentioned it just to compare.

OP posts: