How much is too much to share? (Christmas gifts)

Even at the age of 7, I still wrestled with how much is too much for them to share. The bulk of what they want for Christmas are sharable items, like Barbie Dreamhouse, small tv/dvd, microscope, telescope, globe, wii game, board games, etc. I just feel torn. The shared pile will be big and then they'll have a small pile with a couple items for each of them. Do you guys still wrestle with this? Should I even feel the guilt? They realize that they do have to share so many things....I'm the one who feels bad about it.

Kim

 

My sister and I are not twins, but I'm sure we shared a lot of big things like that. Rather than feeling guilty, think of it as a good thing that you can get more expensive things both kids will be happy with, instead of having to divide the budget equally between the kids!

 

I agree with Alden. My sister and I shared a lot of things growing up, it wasn't a big deal.

Alden, I just noticed that your girls turned 5 today. Happy Birthday!!

 

Mine share a LOT of stuff and are fine with it.

 

Ditto this. I had an older brother and we shared plenty of large items (they were considered 'family' items as well). If we were the same gender, I am positive we would have shared even more....

Maybe Santa could bring the 'family' some of the gifts so you ALL share it?? The globe, telescope, and board games, etc would good for everyone (from Santa) gifts! That way they girls wont notice that they share so many.

Think about it....do you and DH ever get 'shared' gifts?? (we get joint gift cards, appliances, movie tickets, household stuff etc from family members all the time) I know DH and I do. So I dont think it odd to have my kids share (not matter what age/gender/twin or not).

My girls are sharing all the family board games (they will be a family gift from Santa), a Barbie House, dress up clothes, and a few other items. Really even most of the little things go in the communal toys (my little ponies, books, etc). It helps they share a room too....so unless it is s prized possesion or a bedtime lovey it may be one or the others, but really 90 % gets shared (they will even say that THIS barbie is mine, but you can use it....etc).

 

I think as long as the sharable items come in pairs(ex 2 wii games) or are truely big like a tv then there shouldnt be a problem.

 

Thanks ladies! I feel so much better now!!

 

We tend to do individual gifts that they have to share to use (games) or for example if one gets a microscope and the other a telescope, they would end up sharing (and showing) each other. Occasionally they do not want to share something that was "theirs" and we will normally run with that if there is a good reason (other than he is mad at his brother). I try to get some things they actually ask for. Sometimes they both want the same thing and we will get things that work together OR if it is supper cool and it would be unfair to ask them to share they get their own. Last year one wanted a video camera and the other really wanted leapster star wars games. Nana filled both of those and they share. THey seem to be okay as long as they have/get some things that are JUST their individually.

 

This is what the girls are getting for xmas:
Wii limited edition
Extra controller
Disney sing it
Just dance kids
Possibly a game fly subscription(game rental by mail like netflix)
Beauty and the beast set of 2 belle costumes and crowns (pink dress and yellow dress from movie. We are going to beauty and the beast broadway play in feb)

 

Here's what I do - for gifts that are shareable, such as games or puzzles, they get one to share. Sometimes I buy two games or two puzzles, giving one to each, and tell them they must share.

They each get their own more personal items like dolls or stuffed animals or clothes.

Holidays are usually a mix of personal and shared.

I don't think you should feel guilty - you are teaching them to share!

 

so an update for us. Everything they marked and have asked for is the EXACT same. I don't know if I could identify this year one thing that only one of them wanted. So, this year they get their own gifts, its just that they all are things they both will play with. Crashing race track, ice cream maker, battle tops .....

 

This is exactly how we do it, and not just with the twins either. When the other kids get gifts there is a few days of no sharing, but then once toys are introduced into the "general population" (ie toybox, shelves, etc) they are available for anyone to play with.