Which one of us is being unreasonable-When to give Christmas gift

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Open together before Xmas or on Xmas eve. Whoever is home on Xmas should get to play with the Xmas gift ON Xmas. Not that kids fault the other one is gone. Plus it will get it out of that kids system so they’re not fighting over who gets to play with it first if they have to open it together. Let’s face it, the five year old isn’t really going to get much out there f it. Most games will be too hard and the controllers impossible to operate for a kid that age. They’re not going to play it together. All told it’s really a gift for the 11 yr old so let him have first crack at playing with it.

Exactly. It is not a 5 yo present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Open together before Xmas or on Xmas eve. Whoever is home on Xmas should get to play with the Xmas gift ON Xmas. Not that kids fault the other one is gone. Plus it will get it out of that kids system so they’re not fighting over who gets to play with it first if they have to open it together. Let’s face it, the five year old isn’t really going to get much out there f it. Most games will be too hard and the controllers impossible to operate for a kid that age. They’re not going to play it together. All told it’s really a gift for the 11 yr old so let him have first crack at playing with it.

Exactly. It is not a 5 yo present.

Agree with this, but also note the 5 yo will grow into it, and you don't want the 11 yo to feel like it's his and later be difficult about sharing. Because of that, and the fact they know already they're getting it, I agree with PPs to give the Xbox itself earlier and each child their own game to open when they are with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shared gift - both kids open at the same time. DO it early and then get each child their own individual game to open on Christmas. I wouldn't do it as a shared gift. I'd do it as a household item and get individual games for each child so they have something of their own.

I like this idea.

This is the best idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Open together before Xmas or on Xmas eve. Whoever is home on Xmas should get to play with the Xmas gift ON Xmas. Not that kids fault the other one is gone. Plus it will get it out of that kids system so they’re not fighting over who gets to play with it first if they have to open it together. Let’s face it, the five year old isn’t really going to get much out there f it. Most games will be too hard and the controllers impossible to operate for a kid that age. They’re not going to play it together. All told it’s really a gift for the 11 yr old so let him have first crack at playing with it.

Exactly. It is not a 5 yo present.

Agree with this, but also note the 5 yo will grow into it, and you don't want the 11 yo to feel like it's his and later be difficult about sharing. Because of that, and the fact they know already they're getting it, I agree with PPs to give the Xbox itself earlier and each child their own game to open when they are with you.

This is very sensible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:celebrate Christmas early so they get it at the same time.

Yes. Especially since it’s not a surprise.

This. Then give both separate games for Christmas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you give two children who share different custody parents the same gift? That's asking for a world of fights and trouble IMHO. Do better OP.

Yup. I can't imagine giving my kid an Xbox game and then saying, "but you can't play until tomorrow".

Make it a gift to the house, and buy a game for the second kid to open on the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid A gets to play with it that day. Kid B gets a turn as soon as they get home.

I will say that if there is some pre-existing tension between kid A and kid B, and kid B would consider this scenario as unfair which would serve to excacerbate said tension, I would consider amending my answer and having kid A wait.

I agree with this. I would add that it must be clear to kid A that it’s kid B’s to use as soon as he/she arrives. But making kid A wait absent some good reason, like tension between the kids, seems unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Hi -- Growing up, my mom and stepdad had this issue frequently. (1 brother and 2 stepsisters...we were occasionally apart for the holiday)

We would typically get to open these types of gifts early. If that is out of the question for you, I would just let the child who is there play with it on Day 1. It is what it is. This happened to us sometimes too and it was not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

If the gift is for both, then they open it together. Nothing says we care like "oh by the way that gift your brother opened yesterday and has been playing with ever since is your gift too".

[Anonymous]

To me, it depends on which kid is the one at home on Christmas.

Little one home on Christmas? Leave it wrapped under the tree as a "family gift".

Older one home on Christmas? Give it to him on Christmas so he has one day to play all day, without little brother bothering him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you give two children who share different custody parents the same gift? That's asking for a world of fights and trouble IMHO. Do better OP.

Yeah. This.

[Anonymous]

Parents open it and set it up. Nothing suckier than waiting for dad to set something up after you open it.

Kids play it as they are available. I have lots of siblings and that is perfectly OK.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone who says make the Xbox like a tv -- you buy it for the house (it, and the rules about playtime, how to share, etc., are yours, not the kids'). Then, each kid gets a game, and lucky you! One kid gets a whole day to play before he has to let his brother have a turn. Perfect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with everyone who says make the Xbox like a tv -- you buy it for the house (it, and the rules about playtime, how to share, etc., are yours, not the kids'). Then, each kid gets a game, and lucky you! One kid gets a whole day to play before he has to let his brother have a turn. Perfect!

This. Open the Xbox early (whenever you have both kids), and then get each kid a game for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shared gift - both kids open at the same time. DO it early and then get each child their own individual game to open on Christmas. I wouldn't do it as a shared gift. I'd do it as a household item and get individual games for each child so they have something of their own.

I like this idea.

Me too. There’s such a variety of games out there you’ll be able to find something age appropriate for each.