Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely talk to your sister particularly given the difference in disposable income between the two of you. I did something similar w/o asking first and realized after the fact that it caused tension (not tragic, thankfully). It's a very thoughtful gesture but it's respectful of your sister to ask first. And to another point, make your gifts for the other siblings of similar value (even if that means a contribution to a savings account or something similar if they're too young to receive a $140 gift).

I agree with talking, but I’m the rich sister in this scenario and my poorer siblings understand there is NO need to reciprocate or to make gifts of the same value to all people involved.

Huh. As the”richer” sister in my family, my sister knows that I am the most likely person to buy her kids a present like the OP is planning. When I ask for ideas she definitely offers the more expensive ones to me than she does other family. And she also knows it doesn’t matter at all how much she spends on my kid’s presents. It isn’t tit for tat.
But I would ask because I’d want to get the specific bag the niece wants. Moms are pretty good at keeping secrets when it comes to Christmas even if they aren’t normally.

For what it's worth, I have my North Face backpack from 1995. It is still going strong and looks great thought I certainly don't use it every day like I did in the past.

I recommend buying the men’s version. Same price but bigger. Macys has the borealis for $99. My college freshman and high school junior love them.

OP just to be clear- are you spending $100+ for each of the 4 kids?
Is your sister getting your children gifts?
So if you spend $500 on her kids and she spends $10 on yours…
Something to think about.

Don’t assume this is a problem. I spend far more on my sister’s kids than she does on mine, and my sister appreciates it.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely talk to your sister particularly given the difference in disposable income between the two of you. I did something similar w/o asking first and realized after the fact that it caused tension (not tragic, thankfully). It's a very thoughtful gesture but it's respectful of your sister to ask first. And to another point, make your gifts for the other siblings of similar value (even if that means a contribution to a savings account or something similar if they're too young to receive a $140 gift).

I agree with talking, but I’m the rich sister in this scenario and my poorer siblings understand there is NO need to reciprocate or to make gifts of the same value to all people involved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy to spend $140 for a kid’s backpack?

For a freshman in high school?

I carried the backpack that my mom purchased my freshman year through college.

Yeah, I (a woman in my 40s), am still using the Borealis pack I got myself for travel in 2010. It looks a little worn. It’s been around the planet a few times, but it’s still waterproof and functional, it was a great diaper bag for a while! So in per use cost, it was a great investment.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely talk to your sister particularly given the difference in disposable income between the two of you. I did something similar w/o asking first and realized after the fact that it caused tension (not tragic, thankfully). It's a very thoughtful gesture but it's respectful of your sister to ask first. And to another point, make your gifts for the other siblings of similar value (even if that means a contribution to a savings account or something similar if they're too young to receive a $140 gift).

+ 1

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy to spend $140 for a kid’s backpack?

For a freshman in high school?

I carried the backpack that my mom purchased my freshman year through college.

Definitely talk to your sister particularly given the difference in disposable income between the two of you. I did something similar w/o asking first and realized after the fact that it caused tension (not tragic, thankfully). It's a very thoughtful gesture but it's respectful of your sister to ask first. And to another point, make your gifts for the other siblings of similar value (even if that means a contribution to a savings account or something similar if they're too young to receive a $140 gift).

Talk to your niece and ask what she wants for Christmas. Ask her to make a 5-10 item list. Otherwise, get her a giftcard.

The sweat shop workers can't believe how much those North Face bags are selling for. They said, it's just regular materials and regular sweat they put in to sold those up.
I know some relatives who have to work in those shops in what we call the 3rd world countries.
It's just the name.

Oh damn. I thought I was getting the scoop for my 14 yo boy because I have no ideas for him besides air pods!

I turned his backpack over just now to see the label and whaddya know, North Face. Face palm.

Anonymous wrote:I would get a gift card so she can pick out exactly the right one.

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And I think its fine to spend different amounts on nieces/nephews. As long as each gift is thoughtful. My dd would love a north face backpack, her brother would love a $20 Robux gift card.

I would get a gift card so she can pick out exactly the right one.

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy to spend $140 for a kid’s backpack?

Not for a teenager and not on a backpack like this, because it's good quality and not childish, so they could easily use it for 10+ years (I had a Jansport in high school that I used in college and in my 20s).

Also, you can get the Borealis I know for less than $100 if you just shop around a bit -- absolutely no reason to pay the MSRP. Same is probably true for the other one.

OP, I would check with your sister both to make sure it's cool you buy it and to find out what color your niece wants because if she's very hung up on the specific brand/type of backpack, the color is probably equally important and I wouldn't want to guess as it comes in a ton of colors.