One More Christmas Question

Our two youngest are just under two years apart (5 & 7) and now that we're past them being in very different stages for a lot of our shopping, we end up just getting things that we know both or either would like and then we sort things out to make them "even" (or equitable). At the end of the day, it all goes into the same playroom, kwim?

When they were younger, we wouldn't buy things that we already had (and I have a son who is 6+ years older than these two so we already had a lot of stuff). So that meant my youngest often got personalized things and gifts like books, puzzles, cars, balls and crafts, which you can never have too many of. If there are any things that came as a set when you bought it for your older son (I'm thinking things like the Little People sets, the Shake and Go Speedway) you can get him some extra people/accessories/cars that will go along with the big set but be his own.

I honestly wouldn't think twice about it if I were you. You may feel like your cheating him, but he won't know or care. He'll be so excited about everything that going overboard buying things that you already have or going out of your way to find things that are unique will be a waste of energy and money. Whenever I feel like we're shortchanging (or spoiling) the youngest one, I remind myself that it all evens out anyway when he gets to be the last one at home and the other are out supporting themselves and/or working hard in college.

If you already have the doctor's kit, get the vet kit.
If you already have the big Tonka dump truck, get a different Tonka, although we had two Tonka dumpers.
If the older one has the screaming fire truck, get the little one the screaming ambulance
ONe cannot have too many cars, trucks, tractors, books, balls, bubbles, crayons,
Get them one big thing, a playhouse, a kitchen, a ride on tractor, then little things that are more personal, each one gets a car that makes noise, a stuffie, a book, and a DVD.

Sorry, but I don't know what you mean. First, he'll only be 18 months old and probably won't even recognize weather or not he gets a present from you specifically. As long as he's getting to open presents, he'll be happy. (We always got practical gifts for our kids when they were that age, since they got a ton of toys from other family members. My boys were equally thrilled with their Thomas bandaids and Thomas trains) Second, who cares if he wants the same thing as his brother? It will be new to him. Isn't his present supposed to be about him? He'd probably even like getting his brother's toy as a hand-me down even better than an identical new toy, because isn't it so cool it was his big brothers?!

The 18 mo old wouldn't play with the same things as the 3.5 yo so I guess I'm not clear on your question. I guess you're saying why buy the little one at age 18 mos that you "might" have bought for the older one at the same age? So what if there are tons of trucks in the house or whatever. They each should have their own toys as well as be able to share with each other. New toys come out all the time. I'm sure there are a million things you could get the 18 mo that the older one never had. At 18 mos they don't really "know" what they will or will not like, just get things that are marked for his age and he'll be thrilled. Hope that helps but not exactly clear on what the issue is. Good luck.

I do know what you mean to an extent. My kids are exactly 2 years apart as well and although I have a boy and a girl, my son basically just wants to do everything and play with everything my daughter has. Plus, you are right, the 18 month old isn't really going to get it. You know that cars and trucks have a long life span so even if you get both of them a tractor or a Tonka or something like that, it will last. It's always good to have multiples for sharing with siblings and playdates and I found last Christmas it was a good idea to have duplicates (or at least very similar) things for each of them to have, especially in their stockings! ;) My son is just turning 2 but he is really excited about giant trucks that have moving parts, like doors, ladders, wheels, etc. Costco has some cute Tonka stuff for $20 and I just bought some for his Christmas this week. He also really likes Little People cars, trucks, and tractors so those are options for you as well. I don't know if your older son has a lot of that stuff but you could always buy and accessory piece to something you already have.

I would get him a few presents that are just for him and then one they can share--- keep it simple. A john deer ride on tractor would be a great gift-do you have one of those yet? GL

M

get them some cars and then a ramp that they can go down ;). get him books and puzzles. you can also get them a swing set or play house. what i do for my daughter is i buy her something that is just out of her age range so she keeps interest in it.