Gift Giving for Twins at Christmas

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

11 Dec 2007 07:39 AM

I realize that most of my readers don't have twins or multiples. But since I do, I feel compelled every once in awhile to write something specifically geared towards those families! Christmas time, at least for us, has presented a unique set of challenges for the twins.

Our girls' were six months old for their first Christmas--hardly at an age where gift giving really mattered. If people had given the wrapped empty boxes they would've been equally happy. In fact, based on my experience with five children, I would venture to say that if your child is younger than about 9 months, you really don't need to ponder too much about the what's and how's of giving gifts to multiples. However, once they get older than that gifts can be a whole new issue.

"The Twins"

The tendency for many family members seems to be to lump multiples together. For example, giving one gift for 'the twins'. Your littler ones might not mind yet, but it's not long before their individuality starts to show.

If you or family members intend to buy just one gift, make sure it's a big one. Some twins like to shareFor example, this year, we are getting our girls a large doll house to share. They are each getting their own dolls, and their own doll accessories, but they enjoy playing dolls together. However, when it comes to smaller things like ornaments or stockings--make sure each twin has their own.

The Same Gift

Getting young twins the exact same gift is not always a bad idea. Logic would seem to indicate that they would want to be individuals. I certainly concur that there is a strong need to distinguish oneself from one's twin. However, infants (at around 12 to 18mos of age) don't share and they like whatever the other twin has--always. (I'm pretty sure it's written in Murphy's Law somewhere.) We have bought sets of stacking cups, tea party things and other sundries in pairs. It has minimized fighting among the girls and has encouraged them to play together. However, make sure that you always include one gift that is unique to that child's personality in addition to anything you get that is the same.

Buying for multiples can be fun but remember that they are still babies. In general, the simpler the toy, the better off baby is!

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Michele Cheplic (37349) 12 Dec 2007 06:24 AM

This is a great topic. So what happens when you have twins born a week before Christmas? Do they get gypped twice as much?

Valorie Delp (49340) 12 Dec 2007 07:33 AM

LOL I don't know but it's kind of funny you should ask because among our extended family (nieces and nephews and in-laws) we have 4 holiday birthdays. As a family we try hard to make sure they don't get gypped. . .but as they've gotten older it tends to be that they get nicer and/or bigger stuff but not as much. The oldest niece whose b-day falls on the 29th of Dec. gets a choice. . .she can either have a seperate party and some smaller gifts or her parents have offered her to skip the party, skip the extra presents and use the money instead for one big nice present. She tends to go for the more expensive, bigger and nicer things. . .so it's not all bad! ;-)

butterflies77 (145) 12 Dec 2007 08:25 AM

not on the subject of twins but I have a holiday birthday - December 27th. Now that I'm older (about to turn 30!) I don't mind the "this is for your birthday and Christmas" gift Although when I was younger I really felt gypped. My mom even threw me a birthday party in the middle of summer one year just to seperate my birthday from Christmas.