I realize that most of my readers don’t have twins or multiples. But since I do, I feel compelled every once in awhile to write something specifically geared towards those families! Christmas time, at least for us, has presented a unique set of challenges for the twins.
Our girls’ were six months old for their first Christmas–hardly at an age where gift giving really mattered. If people had given the wrapped empty boxes they would’ve been equally happy. In fact, based on my experience with five children, I would venture to say that if your child is younger than about 9 months, you really don’t need to ponder too much about the what’s and how’s of giving gifts to multiples. However, once they get older than that gifts can be a whole new issue.
“The Twins”
The tendency for many family members seems to be to lump multiples together. For example, giving one gift for ‘the twins’. Your littler ones might not mind yet, but it’s not long before their individuality starts to show.
If you or family members intend to buy just one gift, make sure it’s a big one. Some twins like to shareFor example, this year, we are getting our girls a large doll house to share. They are each getting their own dolls, and their own doll accessories, but they enjoy playing dolls together. However, when it comes to smaller things like ornaments or stockings–make sure each twin has their own.
The Same Gift
Getting young twins the exact same gift is not always a bad idea. Logic would seem to indicate that they would want to be individuals. I certainly concur that there is a strong need to distinguish oneself from one’s twin. However, infants (at around 12 to 18mos of age) don’t share and they like whatever the other twin has–always. (I’m pretty sure it’s written in Murphy’s Law somewhere.) We have bought sets of stacking cups, tea party things and other sundries in pairs. It has minimized fighting among the girls and has encouraged them to play together. However, make sure that you always include one gift that is unique to that child’s personality in addition to anything you get that is the same.
Buying for multiples can be fun but remember that they are still babies. In general, the simpler the toy, the better off baby is!
To Test or Not to Test: Zygosity in Twins