How to Buy Christmas Presents for Your Nieces and Nephews

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The reason kids love having single (or childless) aunts and uncles is that they sense vast mounds of disposable income that can freely be lavished on their Christmas shopping lists. However, just because you can spend big bucks on toys for your nieces and nephews doesn’t necessarily mean you should—at least, not before you weigh other factors such as the kids’ day-to-day behavior or the wishes of their parents. Here’s a quick gift-giving how-to.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Treat everyone equally (at least within the same family). It’s okay to buy more expensive presents for your sister’s kids than for your brother’s, especially if they live across the country from each other and can’t easily compare notes. However, it’s not okay to give a big, lavish dollhouse to your sister’s 7-year-old girl and a plain pack of Pokemon cards to her 10-year-old brother. Even if you know more about buying presents for girls than for boys, do your homework and try to spend the same amount on each.

Step2

If you’re not sure—ask. That still, small voice in the deepest recesses of your brain may be wondering if it’s really appropriate to buy a Playstation 3 for your 6-year-old nephew. If you call up his mom, a shrieking “No! Never! Over my dead body!” or resigned “Sure, he’s got to learn about Grand Theft Auto sometime” should settle your mind either way.

Step3

Don’t show up Mom and Dad. If you know that your brother's big gift for his 7-year-old is a 3-foot-tall, animatronic, remote-controlled T-Rex, don’t go out and buy a 4-foot-tall, animatronic, remote-controlled velociraptor. Odds are that your present will be opened first (most parents insist that theirs be saved for last, for reasons of etiquette), and your brother may not speak to you for the next 20 years.

Step4

Don’t reward bad behavior. As the “fun” aunt or uncle, you probably get to see your sibling’s kids when they’re in their sunniest moods. But if your sister is constantly complaining about how 8-year-old Polly can’t learn how to share, buying her a pony (complete with stable fees) may run counter to parental discipline. Once again, if you’re not sure, ask.

Step5

Let the kids play with the toys. Single uncles especially tend to regress 20 or 30 years in the presence of a Hot Wheels action sets or giant bins of Legos. If you happen to be around on Christmas morning, allow the toys to be enjoyed by their intended recipients. Sooner or later, the kids will tire of what they’re playing with, and you’ll get your chance in due course.