Do you spend the same on kids

[Twizbe]

I have a 3 year old and 22 month old. They both have birthdays coming up as well.

They get most of their Christmas presents from Father Christmas and then one big present under the tree from us.

Father Christmas is roughly equal in value and always equal in number of things to open.

This year DS is getting a bike. He's long overdue a bike with peddles so it's a good gift for him. It wasn't cheap but not crazy either. His birthday is in Jan and we already have that gift ready. It is not as big a present as a bike.

We have no idea what to get DD. She isn't as in to bikes as her brother and still isn't confident on a scuttle bug. We will likely get her a balance bike for her birthday in Feb.

She loves role play and the like but we already have a play kitchen. I can't find anything for her that is the same value as her brothers big gift from us.

So here's the question, do they have to be the same or near value? Should I just go for something in a big box that she might like? Is it ok she she will likely get a bigger present than her brother for her birthday (10 days after DS) but a smaller Christmas present than him?
Am I totally overthinking this?

Yes, you are overthinking this. At that age, they don’t really understand how much things cost. Just get them what you can. My son was into Lego, big time, it’s so expensive for what you get, but children don’t get that. I used to set an amount and try and stick to it, but mainly that was for my benefit, not theirs.

Definitely over thinking it. Your DC are so young and will have absolutely no idea how much things have cost. Don't worry yourself about it, just get your DD something she'll really like, even if its cheaper than the bike.

Mine are a lot older, but still don't care about the cost. They're just delighted to receive the 'big' present they really want. Last year dd's cost £850, ds1's £250, and ds2's £100. This year Dd's cost £120, ds1's £900, and ds2's £80.

You can just get her something she will love. My young DD is into Peppa Pig and even underwear gets her suuuuper excited

No, I don’t spend the same on them, this year I have spent around £450 on dd1 (16) as she needed a ipad for school work, her sister is 14 and I have spent around £150/£200. I have never spent the same on them, but do try and give them roughly the same number of presents to open, though now dd1 is older she understands that quality is better than quantity and she doesn’t need as many things.

Thank you. Needed to be told we were overthinking this.

She asked for a doll from Father Christmas so might get her some bits to go with that.

Never spend the same on my 3, the way I look at it, it will equal out over their childhood anyway. I do try to make sure they have a similar amount of gifts though.

I would get the accessories for the doll, wrap and put them in a big box full of tissue paper to make them look more 'impressive' and fun.

Yup definitely not :) I happen to have spent about the same on my 3 and 5 year old but I haven't spent anywhere near so much on my baby.

DD probably has a few more presents to open but they both have pretty equal stockings and I have gone all out on stockings this year. DS is younger so don't see how he would notice and also my mum gets stuff off my list within her budget and he has got 2 big presents from her so should be roughly even in the end.

I do fret a bit about them not having the exact same amount to open but I don't think it's the right attitude and shouldn't really matter at such a young age (I hope)

Totally over thinking this. They don't have a clue.

I spend different amounts on mine, sometimes £100's different. It totally depends on what they need and want.

I get the same number of gifts and I think about their size and wow factor. I worry less about cost being equal.

I like to have equivalent gifts, but it's monetary, or size... It's the value to them.
So DD1s tent cost more than DD2s sleeping bag. But DD2s Cub stuff cost more than DD1s books (which DD2 will probably borrow). DD1s watch cost more than DD2s clock. But DD2 really wants a click for her wall. DD1 needs a watch.

It's all a balancing act. Last year DD2 had more spent on her.

They are 9&7 now.

(Role play for your DD... Has she got dressing up stuff? A big box of hats, accessories, a costume etc can look massive)