Toys Times Two | How Do You Do It?

I fully admit, I am not as far along in my holiday shopping as I had expected. This is new to me, as in years past I am generally finished early, adding a few Black Friday deals as icing on the cake. I swore that this year I would buy the boys each different toys that suited their personalities, and then I caved, or was caved, by the Imagintext Batcave.

As my boys approach five, I am torn between buying them the same gifts as I have done in years past, or buying slightly different ones that can be played with together. It starts as twinfants by well meaning family and friends who buy two crinkly toys, two bouncers, two walkers, and moves on thru the toddler years where two ride on toys become a necessity to prevent their fighting and Mom’s headaches. I had hoped that this year I could follow their interests (helicopters and police cars for one and batman and spiderman for the other) and buy them individual gifts instead of treating them as a unit, but as much as I hope this would work, I must admit defeat. While only one boy is interested in the batman Imagintext products, they will both be receiving them because they are just too super cool to just have one in the house. Jealousy would abound.

I do pat myself on the back for purchasing complimentary Playmobil pieces: an ambulance, a police car, and a plane for big sister. I know that many hours of imaginative play await. And since I’m not quite done with my shopping, I am open to any and all ideas for imaginative, creative gifts for almost five-year-old boys.

Lest you think our holiday plans are all toy related, I leave you with an image of a recent crafting session. As my kids get older, crafting gets more “doable”–projects are completed successfully and with less mess. Here we are making salt dough decorations. The recipe is simple and very similar to homemade playdough:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water

Stir to combine. Roll out on a floured surface, cut shapes, be sure to poke a hole for stringing. Bake at 250 degrees for two hours. Enjoy!

How do you manage gifts for your multiples?

Leslie H. is a freelance writer and mom to a spunky 7-year-old girl and police and ambulance and batman loving four-year-old twins.

4 thoughts on “Toys Times Two”

Christina Baglivi Tinglof on December 8, 2011 at 8:40 am said:

It is hard to buy two different toys! I completely understand. You never want to seem “unfair” by giving one a different toy but I’ve always forced myself. I’ve always found that the complementary style of giving–one soccer ball, one football–for instance, works very well.

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Rhonda on December 8, 2011 at 8:47 am said:

My identical girls turned 6 in October. Up until this year, we’ve either given them identical gifts or complimentary gifts that will end up being communal property unless they specifically request something different. For example, they each got identical 18″ fashion dolls last year and identical accessories as these are meant to be strictly individual gifts. Later on they can choose to buy different accessories with their own money or put different sets on their own wishlists, but having identical “surprise” gifts eliminates many potential problems. Last year, they asked for different pillow pets and that worked out well. For items that end up shared (books, Littlest Pet Shop items, etc.), we give them each similar but different items. Since they know they will go in the same storage bin or on the same book shelf to be shared, we have no issues with fighting/sharing.

This year for the first time, they have asked for different, non complimentary items, that are strictly individual gifts. We are going to go with it and hope for the best. Since they’ll be getting gifts they specifically requested and when asked, denied wanting what the other requested, I’m hopeful that it will go well. If not, it will be a good learning opportunity for all of us.

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diane on December 8, 2011 at 9:31 am said:

My boys are 4 1/2. This year for Christmas, they will each receive a Leapster 2. A few other gifts will be the same for each, as well. Mine tend to fight if they think the other one got something “better” so the sameness works (for now)…
But in the end, for most of their items, it all ends up in their room in some pile they dive into together anyway. Or one will lose interest eventually and the other will take it up. We have no real separation of items yet, but each one has a favorite stuffed dog, their own favorite blanket, etc. One of them is very into the Playmobil figures, the other could care less. I usually take a gamble and get a large toy they can both play with and that seems to work well. Like I just purchased a used Indiana Jones “Mountain” structure with all these figures and parts, and the Mountain is large enough they play on both sides of it very well.

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Tara (TIMO) on December 8, 2011 at 2:17 pm said:

My identical boys are 2y. They asked Santa for very different things. Alex asked for balls and Benjamin for choo-choos. They are each getting that from Santa. Plus a joint play kitchen from us and several books and puzzles that will be tagged for one but considered communal. We have few issues with them sharing/not sharing toys because they do have such differing main interests.

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