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Christmas

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Original poster

Asking kids to share presents, will this work?

34 replies

PlagueAhoy · 12/10/2019 13:12

I have 2 DC very close in age (under a year between them) and they have both asked for the same 2 main presents. Both presents are electronic type things (think a camera type device and a game type device) and both cost around the same amount.

Aibu to suggest that one of them asks for the camera thing, and the other asks for the game thing and they can share between them? They are 6 and 5 yo and are generally good at sharing.

Last year they asked for and both got the same main present, but they have rarely played with them at the same time throughout the year so I feel it would be a bit of a waste to do it again. Plus, obvs if they get the different gifts to share then they can ask for 1 more gift each.

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 12/10/2019 13:15

Yes I think it could work. Most things in our house just end up being for everybody to use anyway.

DramaAlpaca · 12/10/2019 13:15

We've done this a few times with expensive items at a similar age to your DC & it worked well. They had other individual presents on the day as well, but were happy to share the big items.

MrsBungle · 12/10/2019 13:17

Yes I’ve done this with my two and it works well.

NumberblockNo1 · 12/10/2019 13:17

We have with present like trampoline and some bosrd games, but we didnt with the DSs. You really can't share a lot of electronics v well. Also with a camera there's the danger they delete each others photos etc.
Id do both device for xmas and cameras for birthday or similar.

Original poster
PlagueAhoy · 12/10/2019 13:18

Thank you! I suggested it to them and they seem open to it, so may well give it a go. Most toys end up being shared amongst everyone here too Grin And they will have individual gifts too.

OP posts:
Windydaysuponus · 12/10/2019 13:19

3 dc in 3 years and got them all a Hudl one year.. Best decision ever.
Imve sharing a prized gift isn't workable....

Starlight456 · 12/10/2019 13:20

Can’t you just tell us what it is as they are 5 and 6 I doubt they will search it up on mn.

HumptyDumptyHadAGreatFall · 12/10/2019 13:26

My 3&4 year old (a year between them) have both requested a dolls pram and I can't decide whether to get them one each or one to share!🤔 So following with interest!

Somerville · 12/10/2019 13:27

Sharing some gifts works well for my kids, but I’m not sure about sharing a camera.

It’s hard to advise without knowing what the things are.

BlackCatSleeping · 12/10/2019 13:29

Yeah, I do this. If they use it a lot and really want another one, they ask on their birthday or next Christmas.

halloweenismyseason · 12/10/2019 13:32

Label label label!
Joint gifts have both their names on so they are aware from the get go. The hardest part is who gets to play first but that goes after a while.

Maxineputyourredshoeson · 12/10/2019 14:27

We are a bit different. We but our girls a joint present each year. I’m disabled and they go above and beyond what they should but also emotionally as well, what with regular hospital admissions for me.

We have previously bought anything we know they both like and will use including a trampoline, a switch and arts supply’s. For us it’s not about the cost, it’s a case of getting stuff we do not need two of. This year they are having an amazon dot for their shared bedroom.

I would be a bit wary of a camera as a joint gift though. In our house if one was using it you can guarantee the other one would want to use it and pictures etc would get deleted.

unicornsandmermaids · 12/10/2019 14:34

I have twins and after buying 2 of everything for the last 8 years we had a clear out 2 weeks ago and we realised it was ridiculous and we won't be doing it anymore after speaking to them they were more than happy with the idea that they would get more presents if they shared everything

namechangedforthis1980 · 12/10/2019 14:49

I think if they're close in age, and likely to be happy to share then I'd go for it!

We made the mistake of buying a PS4 for our boys to share when they were 7 & 12. Seemed a great idea but the youngest was too young to get into it, so it ended up only being used by the eldest. Until the youngest got older and showed an interest and a war commenced.... ConfusedGrin

TryingtobePrepared · 12/10/2019 22:22

@HumptyDumptyHadAGreatFall we have 2 dd now 8 & 5 and they still sometimes use the £5 dolls buggies we've had since they were each about 2. Frequently get used at the same time and have been tied together to make trains, plane seats and double buggies. I'd get them one each but not buy expensive ones, just the umbrella ones, from Tesco/ Sainsburys .

NoWordForFluffy · 12/10/2019 22:41

We tell ours (13 month gap) that there's no point asking for the same thing as they won't get it / it's pointless!

Where there's two things in your situation, I'd get one each, definitely.

(Mine are 5 and 6 too.)

mummyof2boys30 · 13/10/2019 08:53

I know in our house electronics to share is a no no. We had considered a switch as a family present and decided against it

ysmaem · 13/10/2019 09:42

Me and my sister had to share a playstation and a computer when we were teenagers and my kids have had to share all of their consoles when they've asked for them over the years (xbox, ps, switch) and we all managed fine

NumberblockNo1 · 13/10/2019 10:01

I think sharing a game device you play on the tv is fine - like a playstation

Hannfheld devices though like a 2DS only save progress on the one game, you cant have multiple users.

itsgettingweird · 13/10/2019 10:06

There's 3 and 7 years between me and my siblings (I'm eldest).

When we got things like games consoles they were a shared gift for us all. We didn't and no one needs 3 games consoles!

When my brother (youngest) got the the age I was we got a shared one he then got his own (PlayStation and we had a Nintendo)

It's fine to share. But make sure they are labelled to both of them imo.

katewhinesalot · 13/10/2019 10:06

Yes but don't give one thing to one and the other to the other. Both kids need to have equal shares in both to avoid arguing. To begin with you might have to instigate time periods to take turns until the novelty wears off.
Having said that I never bought duplicates in anything except hand held games consoles.

IncrediblySadToo · 13/10/2019 10:14

@HumptyDumptyHadAGreatFall

They need one each. 😊😊

Absolutely

@ it really does depend exactly what the things are. I’m sure they’re not going to be reading MN & it’s not going to ‘out’ you to say.

But if it’s a camera ‘NO’ they’re far better having their own and get proper ones. The huge ‘kiddy’ ones are crap

Game (electronic) type thing depends whether they’re single player or not really.

IncrediblySadToo · 13/10/2019 10:16

@NoWordForFluffy. It’s not pointless if they want to play with them together!

NoWordForFluffy · 13/10/2019 10:20

It's totally pointless having exactly the same thing as a present! It's not happening in this house! Most of the time they only say it to copy each other anyway.

LightandShadows · 13/10/2019 10:21

If it's a switch, they need one each.

PlayStation or Xbox you can possibly get away with sharing but make sure you buy games that are two player games.

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