Do you spend the same amount on all nieces and nephews?

[mia1181]

Well I have to start my christmas shopping and I am trying to determine a budget.

I have a niece and nephew who I am very close with (also the nephew is DH''s godson), and then my sister has two step children who I am not so close with. Should I spend the exact same on all children even if they never come in contact with each other?

It''s not that I need to have "favorites" or want to spoil the children I am closer with, but since I like to keep in touch with them from across the country their gifts tend to add up (last year I bought them a wii game with wii speak so that we can play together online and chat).

What do you usually do?

 

[soocool]

I always set an upper limit for spending on my nephews, but I mainly concentrate on buying what I think they would like and sometimes may find a great sale which translates into I spent a little bit less on one because I got a good deal. My sister always feels she needs to spend more on my DD because I buy for her 3 boys and she only for one girl. I think she secretly just likes to buy girly stuff for my DD since she has 3 boys.

 

[MustangGal]

If the sides won''t ever come in contact, I would say do whatever you want

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[MonkeyPie]

Date: 11/23/2009 4:32:35 PM
Author: MustangGal
If the sides won''t ever come in contact, I would say do whatever you want

.

Agreed - the only person that would know is you! I would concentrate on getting them stuff you know they would like to have.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Since they''re not in contact with each other, then it makes sense to spend the amount you feel appropriate for each child. It''s only a big deal if a big family gathering happens and some of the kids are clearly left out.

 

[neatfreak]

Spend what you want-a gift is a gift not an obligation!

 

[Camille]

no

 

[Puppmom]

I just buy them things I think they''ll like without regard to whether or not the cost is comparable.

 

[Haven]

Date: 11/23/2009 7:18:21 PM
Author: puppmom
I just buy them things I think they''ll like without regard to whether or not the cost is comparable.

Ditto. We have an overall budget for gifts, and then we buy what we think is best within that budget.

 

[mia1181]

Thanks guys! I was feeling so guilty even asking. I don''t want to be unfair but my niece and nephew are so special to me. Plus, I know that I will get to enjoy any gift I get them WITH them, which is pretty neat.

 

[meresal]

I don't know if this is odd, but I tend to spend more money on the nieces and nephews whose parents I am closer to. (ie, which sisters I am closest to.)

One of my three sisters doesn't keep in touch at all and never sends or calls with a thank you when we send the niece and nephew gifts, so I find it harder to buy nice things for them, and don't tend to get "excited" about purchasing their gifts.

However my other two sisters have 3 girls between them. Youngest niece is by far my favorite. I usually spend about $60-$75 on her. Horrible, I know!

My sister who is pregnant has two step-daughters, so now that we are closer I will spend more time on their gift... probably $30-$40 each.
Sister who could probably care less, has a daughter and a son... about $20-$30 on each.
My brother is unmarried with dogs, so I usually get him a gift and then a $50 gift card to PetsMart for food and then a toy for each dog.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

As the adult in the relationship I pick up the tab for the activities I do with nieces/nephews through the year so it makes sense that more is spent on those with whom I spend more time with on an average basis, but formal gifts? I spend the same amount on wrapped gifts for all nieces/nephews on Christmas. I personally feel the alternative is unfair and could be hurtful (to a little kid, no less!) if inadvertently discovered. No "thing" I could purchase in a store is worth potentially harming a kid''s developing sense of self-worth.