With Christmas just around the corner, tackling or completing the gift list is probably at the forefront of your mind. When it comes to your own children it’s quite easy to pick through what they want and need, but with nieces and nephews things aren’t always so straightforward. How much should you spend on them, and what sort of presents will be most appreciated this Christmas? The cost of Christmas is estimated to rise again this year, so it’s important to consider where your money goes.
Full house
One of the factors that will undoubtedly affect how much you spend on your nieces and nephews this Christmas is how many of these charming family members you actually have. If your brothers and sisters have provided you with an entire football team of little ones, it might be wise to set a budget per child to ensure you don’t end up eating baked beans on toast for the whole month of January – but if there’s only one bundle of joy on the scene, it’s a lot easier to splash out and secure ‘favorite relative’ status early.
Siblings rarely appreciate matching presents, but you can still aim for consistency to stay fair. Ladybird at Littlewoods includes sweet little hoodies available in a range of colors, so you can let them keep their individuality while still spending the same on each child.
Distant relatives
Some families stay close as they grow up, others not so much. If you regularly see your nieces and nephews and they know you well, you’ll also have a better idea of what to buy, so don’t be afraid to go personal. Just remember not to actively encourage anything your siblings have banned – your nephew might adore you for buying that 15-rated PlayStation game their mom wouldn’t get them, but your sister may be considerably less enthusiastic.
If your siblings are a little more distant, either geographically, emotionally or both, it can be much more of a struggle to think of appropriate presents. If you’re completely stuck for ideas, gift cards or even just money can be the best option – but only if you’re planning on spending an appropriate amount. If money’s an issue, stick to safe wins like chocolate, cozy slippers or even a classic book.
Buying for baby
As exciting as it is to welcome a brand new little person to your family, they do pose something of an issue when it comes to shopping. All the essentials will inevitably have been covered by their parents, so useful gifts can be a bit of a struggle, which really only leaves you with toys and clothes. You’ll have to decide whether you want to give them something ‘for the future’, or stick to gifts that are perfect for their current age and resign yourself to the fact that they’ll likely grow out of them within a few months. If you go with the former, make it obvious that the present is intended for their later years and you do in fact understand that babies don’t have much use for jewellery. Although playing the waiting game can seem pre-emptive, they’ll appreciate it when by 18 they’ve received a gorgeous completed charm bracelet or full set of Christmas tree ornaments.
