Diaper Swappers

MamaNae · 11-19-2012, 06:27 AM

Sort of a #firstworldproblem

We set aside a specific amount of money per child for Christmas gifts out of our taxes, $200.

We are sorta strict about # of gifts, they get Something you Want, Something you Need, Something to Play and Something to Read and then a larger gift from Santa.

The 'problem' is that I was able to get almost everything for DS2 for $17 total (so far, got to get his 'need' which will be clothes but I don't anticipate it costing $180 for a single outfit and pjs and a book) And I've been able to get most of DD's gift for way less. I used Swagbucks and found great deals on deal a day sites and flash coupons. I need her 'Need' and her 'play' 'read'...and I don't anticipate that costing the $150 I have left.

I haven't spent a dime on Ds1 yet..he wants a Nintendo 3DS and I couldn't figure out how to get him a game AND a DS and other gifts with just $200...but now I'm looking to have at least $150 left from DS2 and probably $100 left from DD. So I could 'borrow' from their $ and get DS1 a 3ds and a game (it would be his ONLY gift...he'd get some clothes and a book is all)

Anyway, is that fair to take their money? I wouldn't buy them any additional gifts because of out theme so I may as well use some of it on DS1 right? Get the 1 thing he REALLY wants?

I got DD & DS2 gifts they REALLY want I was just super lucky to get them for next to nothing (So far I've bought gifts at a retail value of $190 and actually spent $65 out of pocket)

mommabritt · 11-19-2012, 06:34 AM

As long as the other children are also getting what thy really want (and not shorted to pay for one kids gift kwim?) I think it's fine. The $200 was your safety to pay for Christmas, it wasn't a rule of 'Christmas must cost this much for each child!'

mommy2kaitlyn · 11-19-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommabritt

As long as the other children are also getting what thy really want (and not shorted to pay for one kids gift kwim?) I think it's fine. The $200 was your safety to pay for Christmas, it wasn't a rule of 'Christmas must cost this much for each child!'

Yup! It is your budget not what you have to spend. Just make sure it is a true want, need, etc.

BTW I would go with a DSiXL or DSi. 3D is so bad on kids eyes. So will save you money there.

MamaNae · 11-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommy2kaitlyn

Yup! It is your budget not what you have to spend. Just make sure it is a true want, need, etc.

BTW I would go with a DSiXL or DSi. 3D is so bad on kids eyes. So will save you money there.

I heard they were discontinuing the DSi so you can't buy games for them anymore...and they're not compatible? It's not a HUGE deal because we rarely buy games anyway LOL...

Might buy the DSi anyway because we have several DS games that he'd be devastated if he couldn't play....

mamatoclaire · 11-19-2012, 06:35 AM

Since you have leftover from finding great deals, I don't see a problem with using the money for your other child. If you had gotten them cheap gifts and then your son a DS that would be an issue. But if they're all getting things they want, they never need to know you were a thrifty shopper.

Sent from my iPod touch using DS Forum

Nerissa · 11-19-2012, 06:36 AM

I don't see a problem with it. Just because you budget the $200 doesn't mean you need to spend it. An older child getting a more expensive gift is very reasonable IMO than a toddler. It's not "thier money", it is your money that you have budgeted, to spend how you wish on each child. Unless you are writting the prices on each gift so each child knows you spent $200 on them it isn't their concern.

Maybe instead of saying $200 per child for christmas, how about looking at is at $600 for the kids Christmas presants and however it breaks down between the kids so that they each get the "something, want-need-read-play.

MamaNae · 11-19-2012, 06:39 AM

Thanks!

DS2 got an Imaginext Space Robot police station, it was $50 retail, I spent $17 including shipping through Woot! so it's new and everything. DD is getting a Melissa and Doug Deluxe Puppet theater, retail $90, I spent $45. They're getting GREAT gifts...I just managed to find them half price or less LOL. I also got DD some furniture for her doll house as her 'want' and DS2 is getting a firefighter back pack (works, if you put water in it) he had one and it broke and he was so sad...he loves it so we got him a new one...used Swagbucks Amazon gift cards for all of that.

I'll get their clothes on BF probably so spend 1/2 or less then also.

Nerissa · 11-19-2012, 06:43 AM

Those are great deals. That back pack sounds awsome totally something DS2 would love. If I got those great of deals some of the money would go to mommy's coffee fund. Since mommy gets cranky shopping and coffee makes mommy happy. Happy mommy means happy family.

Mom2Connor · 11-19-2012, 06:44 AM

I can see why you are feeling a little bad about this, and if they were all 7 yr old triplets that knew what things cost I think it would honestly be a different story (at least, it would be for me). Some people might still feel the same. But if the kids were old enough to understand the significant cost/price difference, I could see there being some hurt feelings from the other two that one of the children got a much much more expensive gift.

So, that said, since your younger two are only 2 and 4, I do personally think it's ok to spend more on your older son to get him the gift he really wants. The other two are getting their "want" met as well, so the cost isn't relevant in this issue given the age difference.

moonlightblonde · 11-19-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2Connor

I can see why you are feeling a little bad about this, and if they were all 7 yr old triplets that knew what things cost I think it would honestly be a different story (at least, it would be for me). Some people might still feel the same. But if the kids were old enough to understand the significant cost/price difference, I could see there being some hurt feelings from the other two that one of the children got a much much more expensive gift.

So, that said, since your younger two are only 2 and 4, I do personally think it's ok to spend more on your older son to get him the gift he really wants. The other two are getting their "want" met as well, so the cost isn't relevant in this issue given the age difference.

This! a 4 year old and a 2 year old REALLY aren't going to care about the cost of items.

11-19-2012, 06:27 AM	#1
MamaNae Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,237 Ratings: 13 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Christmas $$ issue Sort of a #firstworldproblem We set aside a specific amount of money per child for Christmas gifts out of our taxes, $200. We are sorta strict about # of gifts, they get Something you Want, Something you Need, Something to Play and Something to Read and then a larger gift from Santa. The 'problem' is that I was able to get almost everything for DS2 for $17 total (so far, got to get his 'need' which will be clothes but I don't anticipate it costing $180 for a single outfit and pjs and a book) And I've been able to get most of DD's gift for way less. I used Swagbucks and found great deals on deal a day sites and flash coupons. I need her 'Need' and her 'play' 'read'...and I don't anticipate that costing the $150 I have left. I haven't spent a dime on Ds1 yet..he wants a Nintendo 3DS and I couldn't figure out how to get him a game AND a DS and other gifts with just $200...but now I'm looking to have at least $150 left from DS2 and probably $100 left from DD. So I could 'borrow' from their $ and get DS1 a 3ds and a game (it would be his ONLY gift...he'd get some clothes and a book is all) Anyway, is that fair to take their money? I wouldn't buy them any additional gifts because of out theme so I may as well use some of it on DS1 right? Get the 1 thing he REALLY wants? I got DD & DS2 gifts they REALLY want I was just super lucky to get them for next to nothing (So far I've bought gifts at a retail value of $190 and actually spent $65 out of pocket) __________________ Renae. Helpmeet to my hottie hubby, Josh. Devoted Mama to my Wolf scout-bookworm-sports-a-holic James (7), my Daisy Scout Princess Aldria (5) and my 2 year old Tornado Emmett and Cora Paige coming in May! ISO- Newborn prefolds & covers, summer NB outfits- girl.

11-19-2012, 06:34 AM	#2
mommabritt Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Currently MO; but wherever the Marines send us. SoCal at heart. Posts: 7,213 Ratings: 58 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	As long as the other children are also getting what thy really want (and not shorted to pay for one kids gift kwim?) I think it's fine. The $200 was your safety to pay for Christmas, it wasn't a rule of 'Christmas must cost this much for each child!' __________________ Brittney Wife to one amazing husband. Mom to FOUR amazing blessings.

11-19-2012, 06:35 AM	#5
mamatoclaire Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,421 Ratings: 23 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Since you have leftover from finding great deals, I don't see a problem with using the money for your other child. If you had gotten them cheap gifts and then your son a DS that would be an issue. But if they're all getting things they want, they never need to know you were a thrifty shopper. Sent from my iPod touch using DS Forum __________________ Katie - loving wife, married 1/08 mama to Claire, born 9/10 Expecting our 2nd due 12/5/13

11-19-2012, 06:36 AM	#6
Nerissa Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: small town USA Posts: 3,419 Ratings: 59 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Christmas $$ issue I don't see a problem with it. Just because you budget the $200 doesn't mean you need to spend it. An older child getting a more expensive gift is very reasonable IMO than a toddler. It's not "thier money", it is your money that you have budgeted, to spend how you wish on each child. Unless you are writting the prices on each gift so each child knows you spent $200 on them it isn't their concern. Maybe instead of saying $200 per child for christmas, how about looking at is at $600 for the kids Christmas presants and however it breaks down between the kids so that they each get the "something, want-need-read-play. __________________ wife and mom ~If you see a bunch of types I am probably NAK on my tablet in the middle of the night. Please excuse them.

11-19-2012, 06:39 AM	#7
MamaNae Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,237 Ratings: 13 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Christmas $$ issue Thanks! DS2 got an Imaginext Space Robot police station, it was $50 retail, I spent $17 including shipping through Woot! so it's new and everything. DD is getting a Melissa and Doug Deluxe Puppet theater, retail $90, I spent $45. They're getting GREAT gifts...I just managed to find them half price or less LOL. I also got DD some furniture for her doll house as her 'want' and DS2 is getting a firefighter back pack (works, if you put water in it) he had one and it broke and he was so sad...he loves it so we got him a new one...used Swagbucks Amazon gift cards for all of that. I'll get their clothes on BF probably so spend 1/2 or less then also. __________________ Renae. Helpmeet to my hottie hubby, Josh. Devoted Mama to my Wolf scout-bookworm-sports-a-holic James (7), my Daisy Scout Princess Aldria (5) and my 2 year old Tornado Emmett and Cora Paige coming in May! ISO- Newborn prefolds & covers, summer NB outfits- girl. Last edited by MamaNae; 11-19-2012 at 06:41 AM.