I went with two of the cheap $11 dolls for #Little_Girl_A3’s birthday present. I figure she’s turning 3, so no need to start spending $50 or more, even if I could afford it.

Likewise, I bought the $20 Nintendo Mario “diorama” kit for #Little_Boy_A2’s birthday instead of the $40 remote control race car. He’s turning 4.

Plus, since their birthdays are about a week apart, they’re always going to have to accept less expensive presents than their older brother (however, in February, people are still paying off Christmas spending, so he too may have to learn to accept less expensive gifts.

We have some November and December birthdays in the family, and we typically celebrate half-birthdays for those people. Though in their cases, it isn’t the price, but having one’s special day get lost in the glow around another special day.