Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Does this look equal? I’m panicking for no reason I’m sure but please help

154 replies

Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:03

OK, so attached I have a picture of my DC’s Christmas gifts laid out on the bed! I definitely think the left-hand pile looks like more and it is more, 22 in total but some v v small, compared to the other pile which is 14.

Now their dad does have some gift for them also that we will add to those piles. I just don’t know how many he has for each of them, so assuming he has equal amounts that means my DD will still have more. Maybe I should get my a few other small things like a pack of football cards etc?!

1st world problem I know!!
also I don’t do stockings…so this is it.
help 🤣😅

Does this look equal? I’m panicking for no reason I’m sure but please help
OP posts:
Hayley1256 · 14/12/2024 16:06

I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it, are your DC young enough to not realise or old enough to know that you've spent the same amount on them etc

Justhereforthechristmasthreads · 14/12/2024 16:07

Could you not put some of the smaller ones in the 22 pile in one box to balance it out rather than spend more?

GinaDreamsofRunningAway · 14/12/2024 16:08

I would have wrapped some of those smaller ones together instead of individually to make less actual presents and so its the same amount, there or thereabouts, as the other one. That way they will have roughly the same amount of presents to open.

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:08

Hayley1256 · 14/12/2024 16:06

I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it, are your DC young enough to not realise or old enough to know that you've spent the same amount on them etc

This doesn’t include their main gift either. My dd is getting a mirror and fancy clothes rail for her room and DS is getting a PlayStation. They are 9 and 11. I don’t think they’ll notice but I like things to be equal and fair as much as possible…my own worst enemy I know!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:09

Justhereforthechristmasthreads · 14/12/2024 16:07

Could you not put some of the smaller ones in the 22 pile in one box to balance it out rather than spend more?

Oooh I like this! Yes I have a lovely box somewhere! Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:10

GinaDreamsofRunningAway · 14/12/2024 16:08

I would have wrapped some of those smaller ones together instead of individually to make less actual presents and so its the same amount, there or thereabouts, as the other one. That way they will have roughly the same amount of presents to open.

yes if I can’t find the box for them I’ll do this! I still have wrapping paper left! I’m still thinking it will be more on dd’s pile. I need to check with their dad what he has and add them in to check numbers.

OP posts:
Autumn38 · 14/12/2024 16:11

I’ve got to be honest I’ve got a boy and a girl and I’ve made sure they have the same number of gifts. Maybe re-wrap them as others have said so that some are put together or buy a few cheap things for DS?

I do agree when they are younger it’s the equal number that’s important, not the equal value, as they have absolutely no concept of relative expense.

Deadringer · 14/12/2024 16:12

You would wrap some of the smaller ones up in one parcel so it makes them look more equal.

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:12

Autumn38 · 14/12/2024 16:11

I’ve got to be honest I’ve got a boy and a girl and I’ve made sure they have the same number of gifts. Maybe re-wrap them as others have said so that some are put together or buy a few cheap things for DS?

I do agree when they are younger it’s the equal number that’s important, not the equal value, as they have absolutely no concept of relative expense.

This is exactly my thought! Yes! It’s not money they see at that age really is it..

OP posts:
Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:14

Autumn38 · 14/12/2024 16:11

I’ve got to be honest I’ve got a boy and a girl and I’ve made sure they have the same number of gifts. Maybe re-wrap them as others have said so that some are put together or buy a few cheap things for DS?

I do agree when they are younger it’s the equal number that’s important, not the equal value, as they have absolutely no concept of relative expense.

I think I’ll get him some football cards and some stationary maybe?

OP posts:
GinaDreamsofRunningAway · 14/12/2024 16:15

Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:10

yes if I can’t find the box for them I’ll do this! I still have wrapping paper left! I’m still thinking it will be more on dd’s pile. I need to check with their dad what he has and add them in to check numbers.

Show quote history

You are just like me though. I always wanted to be fair with my two and for some reason that meant them having the same amount of presents to open and having the same amount of money spent on them. 😂If I go over with one then I have to make it right somehow and end up buying more stuff.

mistification · 14/12/2024 16:16

Just top his up with some cheap bits - socks, chocolates, novelty bubble bath etc

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:16

GinaDreamsofRunningAway · 14/12/2024 16:15

You are just like me though. I always wanted to be fair with my two and for some reason that meant them having the same amount of presents to open and having the same amount of money spent on them. 😂If I go over with one then I have to make it right somehow and end up buying more stuff.

Show quote history

Yes! 🤣 it’s like a vicious cycle. 🫣

OP posts:
Lovemusic82 · 14/12/2024 16:17

I try and do the same number of gifts each as we tend to unwrap one at a time (take it in turns), but it doesn’t always work out that way, sometimes one has a few more than the other, neither are ever bothered…..it’s more me that bothered 🤣. If he’s getting a PlayStation I’m sure he won’t care how many other gifts he’s getting or how many his sister has.

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:20

mistification · 14/12/2024 16:16

Just top his up with some cheap bits - socks, chocolates, novelty bubble bath etc

Ooh bubble bath! Yes! Socks are already there!
bubble bath
stationary
football cards

and a few other things if I see anything

OP posts:
Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:21

Lovemusic82 · 14/12/2024 16:17

I try and do the same number of gifts each as we tend to unwrap one at a time (take it in turns), but it doesn’t always work out that way, sometimes one has a few more than the other, neither are ever bothered…..it’s more me that bothered 🤣. If he’s getting a PlayStation I’m sure he won’t care how many other gifts he’s getting or how many his sister has.

This is my thought too, he’ll be waaaay to excited to play on it to care what she is opening 🤣

OP posts:
2025willbemytime · 14/12/2024 16:30

I spend the same on my kids, sometimes one will have more to open than another but for me, it is better to spend the same. My children have never commented on how many they have to open compared to their siblings. They certainly don't count them. Any sniff of ungratefulness and there would have been consequences.

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:33

2025willbemytime · 14/12/2024 16:30

I spend the same on my kids, sometimes one will have more to open than another but for me, it is better to spend the same. My children have never commented on how many they have to open compared to their siblings. They certainly don't count them. Any sniff of ungratefulness and there would have been consequences.

No they certainly wouldn’t count, they never have. This is just my issue…

OP posts:
Lemonadeand · 14/12/2024 16:36

Girls are so much easier to buy for than boys! Especially little accessory kind of things. Can you pick up a couple of extra bits for the boy like water bottle and stationery from sports direct etc?

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:37

Lemonadeand · 14/12/2024 16:36

Girls are so much easier to buy for than boys! Especially little accessory kind of things. Can you pick up a couple of extra bits for the boy like water bottle and stationery from sports direct etc?

Water bottle is a good shout!!

OP posts:
Nc546888 · 14/12/2024 16:39

Can you take some away from the bigger pile and hide them away for birthday so it’s equal?

pandapopadance · 14/12/2024 16:50

Put them in sacks so they can't see how many they have each?

Original poster
Positivenancy · 14/12/2024 16:50

Nc546888 · 14/12/2024 16:39

Can you take some away from the bigger pile and hide them away for birthday so it’s equal?

I thought this but I really don’t want to have to do this until last resort…

OP posts:
Delphiniumandlupins · 14/12/2024 16:56

I have a friend who ties herself in absolute knots trying to make things 'equal' for her 4 children. This means the same total value, number of presents and size of pile and a lot of last minute shopping. I think over a dozen presents for one child is a lot but wouldn't worry if one child got a few more parcels than another.

Ksjdbdb · 14/12/2024 17:00

Have you spent the same amount on them both? Mine have been encouraged from a young age to understand that amount of presents/size of presents itsnt a sign of equality and that they both had the same amount spent on them