Argh piles are so mismatched!

[Twitchywitit]

I have two children 12 and 2. I’ve been wrapping today and I’ve spent around the same but my oldest has about 8 presents to unwrap and the youngest has 17!

She has this year
A new phone
An oodie
Fenty Skincare
Pyjamas she requested
Throw Throw Burrito
a Toastie maker she requested
and I made a huge American sweet hamper

She has little bits in a stocking, and I feel like what she has is okay. But I feel bad looking at the piles, should I buy some little bits? And if so what?

Definitely take some away from 2yo, they can have them for achievements/new year/ birthday. 17 will be too overwhelming

I wish someone would tell that to my mother.

If you have a few small things perhaps put a few together in a box instead of wrapping them all separately.

I would also put a couple of things away for the two year old. I know when my oldest was two it took her about a fortnight to open her presents and there were only about five of them. But at 12 your oldest will understand that their presents are more expensive and I'm sure will be very happy with what they have.

My mum always tried to spend the same and give us same number of presents (there is 2 years between each of my siblings so much smaller age gap). One year to make it fair mum wrapped a single glue stick up for me and wrapped about £1.70 in loose change for my sister

Yes go out and buy some more stuff

now!!

Same. I really didn't need that image .

Your eldest is old enough to know that certain things cost a lot more so they might not visually have the same. However I would mention it in passing before Christmas that just because it might seem lo has more, its the same amount of money. I felt I had to do this too one year but my eldest replied back with "I know mum, I'm not stupid. I know phones cost a lot". It got me told 😂

At 2 my DS was overwhelmed by the volume of his gifts he burst into tears. And the only present he played with was his new bike from his DGF (which was what he really wanted). If I had my time again I would have bought much less.

I agree to put some of the little ones things away.

Your 12 year old will understand that a mobile is much more expensive that alot of the little ones toys. This is what happens as they get older.

Snap!

Oh I really wouldn't worry about this OP - the difference in age makes it almost irrelevant. A 12 year old isn't going be jealous of a pile of toddler toys and understands that her gifts were expensive by comparison, and 2 year old probably has no idea regardless.

Equally it is a lot for Christmas for a 2 year old from one person, I agree with it being sensible to put some away for future gifts.

I'd stop thinking about it and put your feet up (while you can!)

piles under the Christmas tree.
It must be the result of sitting up til 2am wrapping presents but I find that idea even funnier! Ouch!

I remember having this when I was a teenager! I had smaller more expensive things than my younger brothers bigger cheaper things. Didn't bother me at all.

With an age gap of that size the quantity of presents won’t start to equal out until the youngest is about 10/11 so stop worrying about it .

Firstly, I also thought this was a haemorroids problem.

Secondly, put away at least half of the presents for the 2 year old. They can’t cope with more than about 3/4 things. It’s just opening for the sake of it after that.

My DD has more presents than her brothers but overall has had less spent. They are old enough to understand that their presents cost more so their piles are smaller. They are told a budget when they write their lists so have the choice to ask for cheaper presents and greater quantity or a few expensive ones.

We had this with a 5 year age gap: elder child had more expensive gifts but fewer. You elder child is old enough to understand that. Just tell them you've spent the same bit your little one has less expensive gifts but more of them.
Get your older child to help the LO open however many presents until there are the same amount left and then they take it in turns