Equal Gifts

we have two daughters and we always try to be fair in what we buy them and how much spend on them. they are older now but it still matters. as for our 4 nieces, we often buy them all the same thing, so its definitely fair that way.

It's really hard to answer when my own experience of Christmas came down to socks and handkerchiefs! Neither of which were appreciated at all. Just buy the kids what they actually like!

I believe that the main purpose behind a gift is the desire to give someone something they will like so the cost shouldn't matter. I have some grandchildren who are teenagers and they have expressed the desire for money so that they can pick out what fits their style at the mall. Since they live out of state I send them each a check and, in their case, each one is for the same amount. For everyone else, I buy what I think they'll like but I do make sure that all of the young ones get the same number of gifts...because someone having more than the other *will* cause an argument.

FallingFan, I don't think it would be unfair if you think that the gifts that you got them would suit them well. People like different things, and some people may enjoy items that are naturally more expensive than others' favorites. I do the same for my family, and everyone ends up happy. My sister likes lotions and perfumes and makeup, so I got her a little basket of those items at Bath and Body works. My mom loves expensive brands, so I got her a set of perfume from Ralph Lauren. My dad is a very studious person, so I got him a book. My grandma and grandpa are from rural China, so they're very frugal. They hate it when I buy expensive gifts for them and they appreciate the simpler things in life. My grandma loves little notebooks and pencils, so I got her a set of mini notebooks and a good pen. My grandpa jogs often, so I got him and handheld electric fan. All of these items are really different and are priced differently, but each person loved their gift, and that's all that matters. Good luck! Annie

It is difficult to define "fair" and "equal", in my opinion. I mean, if I get them things that they really want, then isn't that "fair" and "equal", even if I don't spend the same amount of money on them? Similarly, if I spend a considerable amount more money on one gift for someone, so I choose to give another person two gifts that were less expensive, then I would still consider that "fair" and "equal". Overall, I do try to be somewhat "equal" when giving gifts, especially to members of the same family, because I don't want anyone to feel hurt or left out. Mostly, I just try to get them things that I know they will like, because I think that is the best way to show them that I care ... because I was thinking specifically about them when I bought the present.

guess it's fine. like they say, it's the thought that counts.

I don't always do equal gifts for everyone. I usually get my mom and her husband and his kids about 3 gifts each and I do the same for my dad and his wife. I buy whatever I want and find for my husband and I buy lots of stuff for our son. I also buy just whatever I find for my husband's side of the family too. So I don't really do equal gifts. I just buy what I think the people will like.

For our family, if we gift one, we get one back. If we can't gift, then we don't get anything back. This is good, especially with difficult economic times. I called my bro and sis and my il's and asked what they were planning on for holiday gifts so I would have time to make stuff for them. They don't have it in their finances to buy for my family (I have 6 kids) so that's fine. That way, no one feels like they are obligated to get something for someone else. It's always within personal budgets too. Someone can buy a more expensive gift, but they do it with the understanding that what they get in return may not be as expensive, or may even be homemade. We always give to our parents because our parents always give to us. And we always give to our kids. Everyone else is a big set of variables.

When giving gifts, it is the thought that counts, not the price. But of course I like my gift more if it sure looks expensive!JOKE!

I try to make my christmas gifts as equal as I can. I don't want anyone to feel slighted over a Christmas gift. Sometimes this make the shopping choices a bit difficult because I want to be fair to everyone I give a christmas gift to.

I must say that i got a lot of things for people that are family as well as friends in a sale, thanks to a friend that knows where the sales are on certain sites and they have about the same spent on them.I try to get things that are worth getting as well as things that i know the people that i buy them for will use.