I have never seen this before, until yesterday. My neighbor had a birthday party for her youngest ds(he turned 4). Before she started giving him his presents to open, she handed her 6 yr old a gift bag with several things in it. It kind of suprised me because I never even thought about giving one of my ds's presents, when it is the others birthday. They have always seemed happy to watch the other open their presents. They are really good about sharing, so the non-birthday child is always just as excited. I am not criticzing, or trying to start a debate. I just wondered if this is something that happens a lot, and I have just had my head in the sand.

I will say that I often will give siblings a gift when sending/giving baby gifts. I know it is often a big adjustment for siblings when another child is born. But, I never thought about birthdays. I just figure everyone has their own special day.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 03:46 pm:

Lots of people brought Sarah a little gift, too, when Emily was born, but neither kid has gotten a gift, on the other one's birthday. It was never done in my house, either.

By Kateg on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 05:00 pm:

It's never done in our house. It is a special day for that child and the other one helps to celebrate. They are king or queen for the day around here without them having to share in it with their sibling.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 05:26 pm:

Ditto Kateg.

By Sandysmom on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 06:03 pm:

No, only the person whose birthday it is get's a gift in our house.

By Mommmie on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 06:27 pm:

No, I've not seen that.

By Imamommyx4 on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 06:29 pm:

I have some friends that do that. I didn't. I have given gifts to siblings of newborns at baby showers. They have been the center of the universe for their whole lives and it's a hard pill to swallow for a 3 yo to watch new baby get a ton of stuff and them not get anything. But the gifts I usually give the sis/bro reflect their importance to the new baby like "I'm the big sis/bro" t-shirts and a pair of stuffed bears that had brother and sister on them.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 06:34 pm:

Ditto Kateg as well.

By Amecmom on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 08:22 pm:

If I know the family very well and the sibling is very young (toddler age), then I will give the toddler a little gift and the birthday child a bigger gift. I feel better about it.
Ame

By Bellajoe on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 10:12 pm:

I have never done that, but my mother in law always brings a gift for the non birthday child too. She has done this since they were babies and now the kid expects it every time.
I thought it was helpful when they were younger, maybe 2 or 3 yrs old. But they are 7 and 6 now and know that they shouldn't really get gifts on their brother/sister's birthday....but they know grandma will bring one!
My kids are like Debbie said, they share pretty well and are always very excited for the other kid to get gifts. Because they know they will get to play with the new toys too!

By Kaye on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 08:07 am:

Growing up my mamaw used to do this for us. I don't do it really.

BUT I have two children whose bdays are only 5 days apart, so when family sends them gifts, they often include something for my oct bday child. We always joke that he cleans up When he was little this was really nice, now it isn't such a big deal.

By Tripletmom on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 09:02 pm:

YES-June 6th is a very expensive day at my house. We bought Katie a new dress for her brother's 1st birthday,with 3 siblings having the same spotlight,we thought it would make her feel included.A few older relatives did bring something small for Katie at their party.

By Marcia on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:17 am:

Not us.