How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

Ok its my moms bday. Do we split the cost of this 3 ways (us siblings) or the two of us who are married have to put in for our spouses too (so split it 5 ways)? I dont know what is the "right" thing to do, when I ask them for the $. What do you think, help!!!

Thanks!

Message edited 4/7/2008 9:30:17 AM.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I would split it 3 ways

My brother is not married and we always split gifts

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

We had the same issue recently when we bought my Dad a gift for his 50th. I am married my 2 brothers are not - I just split it 4 ways.

If I were you, I would have the spouses pay partial share - maybe $150 from your sister and $225 per couple?

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I would do a 5 way split

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I am the last of six, and the last to get married, when we split gifts we used to do it in 6. Nobody cared I was making minimum wage.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I would do a 3 way split (among siblings)

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

When I was single I always split gifts for my mom with my two sisters (they are married) in equal shares. I never thought twice about it.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

another vote for 3 ways

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I am one of four kids. 3 married 1 single. On smaller gift items, we split 4 ways. When it comes to BIG things, we divide by 7.

We made a 75th birthday party for my mother at the Garden City Hotel's Sunday Brunch. There was more than 20 people there and it was very expensive. To have divided it 4 ways would have been incredibly unfair to my single sister, so each sibling paid for their own branch of the family and then we divided the remaining guests in 7 parts. It made the most sense.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

3 ways since it's three children. We never include spouses in the cost of splitting gifts for our family.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

There are 3 of us--2 married, one single. We almost never split totally evenly. My older brother is pretty well off so he usually has a bigger budget than my younger brother and I. Since DH and I have 2 incomes, we usually pay more than my younger brother but not twice what he pays.
So to answer your question...we would split it some where between 3 and 5 and it is based more on what we can each afford. It usually requires some discussion but I think it eliminates any bad feelings.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

We always just split it 3 ways (I have two sisters that have significant others).

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

we split 3 ways amongst my sisters (I'm the only married one of the 3 of us).

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

3 way split

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I always resented spliting the cost 3 ways when I and my sister were single. My SIL lost her mom at an early age and my mother is like her own mom. We finally stopped chipping in on gifts since my Bro and SIL are so cheap. I would say that her cost should be lower.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

We used to split among the siblings (3 ways) for joint gifts.

My sister & I are in different places economically. Right now, I get a gift & she gives what she can towards it.

However, if my sister was petty enough to push the issue on a 5 way spit, I probably would start getting my own presents.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I would split it 3 ways

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I think it also depends on finances -- if the unmarried sibling was the youngest, just out of school, and making the least amount of money I'd be more likely to split 5 ways. That is a very, very generous b-day gift if everyone doesn't have money in the bank.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

Message edited 4/7/2008 9:30:41 AM.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

3 ways. There are 3 of us and we never include spouses to chip in on parental gifts. If they want to chip in, then 5 ways (DH and SIL) but we don't automatically split 5 ways.

Re: How to split the cost of a gift for mom- 3 or 5 ways?

I would split it 3 ways....