Do your kids exchange gifts with each other?

[4greatboys]

Normally in our house we just buy the kids stuff and they give something to dad and something to mom. This year I was thinking of the boys drawing names for each other. As I have 4 kids it would be quite a bit more expesive for each boy to buy gifts for the others--12 extra gifts on top of what we buy for them.
I was just wondering how what other families do--especially the larger families like ours. I dont want them to never give stuff to each other but I dont want to go overboard either.

 

[Lewski709]

Not yet....they aren't old enough, but I believe they should. I don't know what age is a good age to start though.

 

[peg2001]

Yes, but we only have 2 kids and this is the first year we did this. They are 7 and almost 4. The really funny thing is that we shopped with them separately and they bought each other the same thing!! I think they will both be thrilled.

As for expenses, DD7 used some of her saved up allowance to buy DD4's gift. We did, of course, have to buy the gift from DD4 to DD7 but I joked about making DD4 do extra chores.

I grew up with 6 siblings. We drew names each year.

Peggy

 

[disneygals]

My kids (7,9,11) have done their shopping for years at the elementary school "Holiday Shop". Everyone in the family gets a little something and they bag/wrap it up right there and it's done!

Vivienne

 

[believe]

I am hoping to do it this year, 2 DDs, but time is a factor.

 

[powellrj]

I have 3 children and they have always bought for each other. The 2 youngest ones each get $6.00 to spend on gifts for their siblings.($3.00 for each one) I take them on a seperate trip to the dollar store and let them each pick out 3 small gifts for each other. They then have their own exchange on christmas eve with each other. Its so cute and its something they really look forward to each year. They are already talking about what time should they do their exchange.

 

[binny]

yep we started this last year, they each get a "date" with mom or dad and go to buy one gift for each of their siblings, we have a $3 limit which at Walmart actually can go pretty far. We thought about doing the dollar store ones but we didnt want that to become the norm I guess.


Its a small price to pay for teaching them that giving can be fun too. IMHO. They have a great time picking things out and it teaches them self control to try to keep the secret! LOL

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I only have one child, but I have two siblings, so I can tell you how things were when I was growing up.

I started getting a weekly allowance as soon as I was old enough to start doing some of the household chores...about age five. It was standard that at the end of the summer, I had to start saving my allowances so I could purchase Christmas gifts for my parents and my two brothers, who were several years older than me. I am grateful for the values my parents instilled in me. They taught me to be part of the household, that I had to work to get money, and that giving is great fun. I loved shopping for my family, even if all I could afford were inexpensive gifts like candy. It was SUCH a huge deal for me, and I learned so much from it.

My daughter is an only child, but she has learned that if she wants to purchase gifts for her parents, grandparents and friends, she has to do extra chores around the house. She did lots of yardwork last summer so she'd have money for the holidays. It's so much fun taking her to the stores and letting her use money she worked for to buy her gifts. The pride in her eyes is just amazing.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

In the past the two older boys have always bought for each other and that is the gift that they get to open on Christmas Eve.

This year we have a baby to throw into the mix. I haven't had time to take them shopping AND the baby is getting over the flu and can't be taken out of the house.

I'm not sure what we are going to do.

 

[TammyNC]

Yes, our children exchange a gift between each other. It isn't anything big, but that isn't truly what the Christmas season is about. They enjoy opening the gift from each other. It is fun to watch.

 

[cati]

Yes, my DS10 and my DD3 exchange presents. I have done this since they were first born.

 

[disykat]

My boys do, but I only have two. I think for families with more than 3 kids, drawing names is a great way to go!

 

[lilallybean]

My three kids take so much pride in the gifts that they buy not only for eachotehr but for my husband and I, their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles cousins and even our pets. It is our tradition to give the kids each $25 one week to the day before Christmas. It is sort of a pre-Christmas gift. They are each given there very own trip to the local 'everythings a dollar' store. they can pick out ANY 25 items that they want to give to the family members. I love watching them really ponder who gets what. We usually make a list that each child takes with them and they do it all....NO coaching from anybody else! Those are really some of the most treasured gifts. Seeing their faces as they give each gift that they carefully picked out AND wrapped is just priceless!

 

[mudnuri]

We have done this since the girls were 2 and 3. We do it one night in Wal-Mart.

DH takes DD6, she buys for DD7 and me
I take DD7, she buys for DD6 and DH

then- we check out....and then meet up AGAIN..

and switch kids..

The second time around...DD6 goes with me and buys for DH and DD7 goes with DH and buys for me.

The kids get a real kick out of doing this. I think normally they spend about $20.00 on eachother, and usually about $50.00 on each DH and I...

Brandy

 

[janette]

I didn't do this when they were younger but this year both the girls said they wanted to get a gift for their sister and have enjoyed shopping for them.

 

[mamamia]

Every December for the last 3 years I have given each of my 3 kids (13, 10 & 8) $20.00 to spend on each others and mine and DH's Christmas present. They are also allowed to use any of their own money that they have saved up towards their shopping. With 4 people to buy for, they can only spend $5/person. Usually my parents and I (along with the kids) go to Target and we each take a child and do some shopping and then off to lunch. Its nice to see them think about what they want to get everyone.

I think its good that they have a spending limit because hopefully it will teach them to live/spend within their means as they get older. Its nice that my 8 yr. old DS wanted to buy his brother a Game Boy Advance SP, but he also needed to realize it just wasn't in his budget. They are also learning the value of chipping in for something. They all chipped in and bought my DH a DVD that he wanted.

In the beginning they only had the $20. But now, they do use some of their own money. They also have become very excited about giving the gifts. It's nice to hear them say things like "I can't wait for Christmas because I can't wait to see so-and-so's face when they open up their gift ".

 

[caitycaity]

in my family it is just me and my sister. we have always exchanged gifts.

dh has a brother, a step-brother, and a step-sister. all of us except the step-sister are now married. last year we decided to do the name drawing thing because with spouses it just got to be too much.