Dh and I are each buying our own gifts this year. Do others do this?

[NapQueen]

We dont have a tradition on gifts for each other. Pre kids we had time money and energy to choose thoughtful surprises for each other.

Since kids we agree about a month or so ahead of christmas what the plan is. Last year we did a tenner limit, year before we had a night away together. Etc.

This year we have decided we will each take an hour whilst the other one sits in the shopping mall soft play with the kids and treat ourselves to stuff up to 50 quid.

We will then swap bags and wrap with the kids to give on christmas day.

We are both unsure if this is not just a cop out or just guaranteeing we get 50quids worth of stuff we want.

We are quite low income so wpuld never just go out and spend 50quid on fripperies.

This sounds a great idea. Part of the gift is watching the dc while you shop.
We don't do this but we have lists.

Yeah 1 hour unencumbered is the gift haha!

May research ahead, whizz round in 10 mins then go for a nice coffee somewhere.

I think it rather removes the thoughtfulness and surprise but understand the joy of a snatched child free hour.
I haven’t got the slightest idea what my husband has bought me but I know he’ll have been planning and discussing with the children for ages.

Kids are 3 and 6 so if he leaves it to them it will be unicorn hairslides and glittery eyeshaddow. Cute of course but not useable day to day.

Me and dh aren’t very romantic about gifts unfortunately. He told me exactly what he wanted and I told him exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately once we’ve bought presents for others there is only limited money for our presents so we want to get something we really want and need. In future once dc’s have grown up it would be really nice to also get some surprises for each other, if we have more money then. I do pine for my childhood when I got loads of surprises, it was lovely and made Christmas much more exciting.

I like gift giving and I wouldn't do what you are proposing but it really is a personal choice and if that makes sense for you and you are both happy then do it
It doesn't really matter what others think

DH and I go shopping together to get our presents - so no surprises but we have a lovely day and get things we want so it works for us. We tend to do more romantic surprise gifts for birthdays.

ohana I could have written your post! We do that for the same reasons. Though I go a step further, as I'm fussy and don't want money wasting on things I'm not keen on (and am better at getting a bargain) I often pick up my own presents and give to DH to wrap.
For example I asked for leather gloves, had sent DH an amazon link for some I liked but then I saw some in Next today and was able to try them on and bought them as they fit and feel nice whereas ones ordered online may not. DH will wrap them and the things he has ordered online (one is actually a surprise - I'm quite excited!).

An hour of child free shopping with £50? Yes please! I'm suggesting that next year.

For the first time this year I've sent my DH an Amazon wish list, which he's grateful to have. I'll get things I want and I've totally forgotten what I put on there so will be surprised. He hasn't reciprocated as he says he loves my surprise gifts!

DH & I find it really difficult to buy for each other & get it right, so we've got into the habit of buying our own gifts then handing them over for wrapping. We do get each other a few small surprises too. It's not very romantic but it works for us & it means we get something we really want.

I think that's great, OP. Sounds like a very cool plan. Efficient, happy, kind.

Oh bless, Crumbs1, are your children very young and terribly excited? It's another of doing it with littlies.