Can 2 boys (12 and 10) share a birthday present?

Question

My son is turning 10 and my stepson is turning 12 both in September. My son had an old Playstation 1 system that is broken and my stepson just moved in with us in May didnt get to bring most of his toys from his moms(her choice). I would like to get a Playstation 2 for them and I am not going to bujy them each one. I cant give it to one of them or the other one will be upset, so I thought about giving it to them as a joint gift and then buying each one a game for it. Has anyone else tried a joint birthday gift? Would it work or how do I make it work? Also would it be alright to do a joint birthday party? They will have the same guests basically.

By the way, the cheapest PS2 I have found is at Walmart and is about $120.00. I can not afford to buy them each one, and wouldnt since they share a tv in their room anyways.

Answer 1

Yes. They are old enough to understand the situation so explain it to them. Let them know that you don't have much money to spend. Maybe you can work out a schedule whan each can use it alone. A joint BD party sounds like fun.

Answer 2

I think a joint gift in this case would be fine. They would probably end up playing it together anyway. I am not sure about the joint party though bc of their ages. Depends on if they have common interests. Also, if they just started living together, it might be tough for them to share a birthday party.
Maybe instead of getting them each games you could get them individual special gifts. It maybe tough cost wise, bc obviously they will need games for the playstation. However, something small that is meaningful might be nice.
Anyway, go with the joint gift.
Check into used games, they are much cheaper.

Answer 3

Yeah, that would work. As long as you are upgrading the broken toy to PS2. Adding a game for each still lets them open their "own" present, even though they will share the games also. I think PS1 games will work in PS2, so that's a good choice for that reason, also. My sisters are twins and they sometimes got a joint gift to share, such as a TV for the bedroom, and they liked it. It expands the budget, so to speak, and lets them get something that would be way out of the level of expectation for "just" a birthday gift.

Answer 4

raising 2 boys, it was very difficult to buy them a present they can share. however a game console can be shared just dont forget the extra controller, and one extra game. a trampoline is another good one, or pick up the paper and look for a mini bike or a 2 seater go cart. maybe a scooter. a electric race track is another shared item. or if they play too many games karate for 2 is a good way to get them out of the house for a few hours and get some exercise. Game consoles are nice but kids tend to want to play all the time. they also work good as leverage for clean rooms, report cards, and trash night.
this will graduate to the cell phone and the learners permit very soon. all of which is in your best interest as leverage later.

Answer 5

I don't see anything wrong with giving them the playstation as a joing gift as long as you are going to get them the game or something for them each to have on their own. I also don't see anything wrong with having a joint birthday party as long as their birthdays are really close together. You don't want to make it unfair though if one has a birthday the first of the month and the other at the end of the month and have a party on the kid's birthday that is the first of the month for them both. That wouldn't seem fair to the other child...make sense? Well, this is just my opinion.
We once bought both of our boys a hummer power wheels for them to share as a birthday present. We also bought them both something of their own to open up too though.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

it really depends on how the boys feel about eachother. if they fight alot then its not going to work at all. but if they get along then the whole joint thing should work perfectly. you just have to work with them. one is in a strange place and the other is haveing to share with a strange new brother. being a step child is never easy for either on of them. i know i was one. they always got there way because they were daddy's little girls and i wasn't. don't let that happen to your son. because no matter what he says he will always love his son more. just be carefull with every decision you make that involves both boys or it could trun around and bite you in the ***.

Answer 7

you can make it ok by telling them flat out that it is for both of them. if their birthdays are that close, it could be a joint gift with each getting his own game on his actual birthday. since they will have the same party and the same guests, i think that it will be ok as long as the ground rules are set when they do get the ps2. make sure that both have equal time with it.

most kids work times out themselves and trade games when they can. my kids did. they had their moments, but altogether, it worked out really well.

Answer 8

just tell them they have to share it, but get it for both of them, and then get each a game or something? dont be too cheap?? do the right thing and get them the system and each a game and a controller cause it only comes with one... Ohhh and you will need to get a memory card. I think you can buy a Playstation bundle with games and a controller included?? hope this helps

Answer 9

I would think they could understand that it is a shared gift. Especially since you are planning on buying them their own game to go with the Playstation. Most kids understand that this is an expenisive gift and that they could not each have their own. Good Luck.

Answer 10

I would have a joint birthday gift, but also a little something separate. Same with the birthday. Have a birthday party for both, but on there birthdays have a special dinner and deseert on there day so they feel special