Marina has twin nieces, Zoé and Léa, aged 4. For their last birthday, she made the classic mistake: two identical gifts. Two identical dolls, two identical jumpers, two identical books. Zoé loved hers. Léa sulked. Not because she didn't like the gift, but because she wanted a gift that wasn't a photocopy of her sister's. That's the whole challenge of finding an original gift for twins: moving away from identical pairs, without falling into the trap of "one gets less than the other".
Here are 8 ideas that celebrate both children as two different people, by age and by budget. Real Big Stories doesn't come first: we start with the classics.
The double gift, differentiated by colour or variation
Rather than two identical items, choose two variations of the same good item. Two Petit Bateau pyjamas in different colours, two books from the same collection but on different themes, two different soft toys (a rabbit and a cat). This costs the same as an identical double, but it tells each child that they exist as an individual. A detail missed by 80% of twin gifts.
The shared gift to enjoy together
Instead of doubling a gift, give just one but designed to be used by two. A big Brio train set, a large wooden play kitchen, a Lego City set that's built and played with together, a big puzzle to do as a team. €60 to €200. Benefit: twins learn to cooperate, share and invent together. A gift particularly appreciated by parents who want to avoid the "one each" dynamic.
The separate gift, tailored to each child's tastes
At 4 or 5 years old, twins start to develop different passions. Lucas loves dinosaurs. Hugo, his twin, loves space. Rather than giving two dinosaur gifts or two space gifts, give each child the gift that matches their current passion. This means a quick call to mum or dad beforehand to check on their interests. Five minutes of conversation that changes everything.
The big group board game
A big board game ideally played with 3 or 4 players: Hop Hop Hop, Dobble, Halli Galli, Le Verger Géant, Cluedo Junior. €25 to €50. A gift that brings the whole family together (the twins plus a parent plus a cousin) and moves away from the "personal toy" dynamic.
The subscription to two different magazines
If Léa loves stories and Zoé loves science: a subscription to Pomme d'Api for one, Wakou for the other. €60 to €90 per subscription. A gift that explicitly highlights that they are two people with two different interests. Often overlooked, yet it makes its mark every month for a whole year.
The personalised photo box "Léa and Zoé"
A photo album from Cheerz, MyKronoz or Photobox with both their names on it. €35 to €60. A gift that celebrates the sibling bond without erasing their individuality: you see them together, you see them separately, and each one is named. A gift they'll often keep for life.
The art set with two separate compartments
A big Djeco or Crayola Premium art set, in two pouches: shared materials, but each child has their own pouch with their name on it. €50 to €100 for a lovely set. Benefit: the children can draw together, but each keeps their own materials (a big deal around 4-6 years old).
The book where each twin is the hero of their own story
The most powerful option for twins: two personalised books, one per child, with their own name, their own face, their own adventure. €70 to €100 for two beautifully made books. This is exactly the gift that breaks away from the identical double: Zoé has her very own book, Léa has hers, and each one is the hero of HER own story. For a shared birthday, it's the item that stands out the most and leaves a lasting impression on children.
Variation: the book where both twins appear together
Some formats allow two characters to be included in the same story. A book where Léa and Zoé go on an adventure together: this is the option for very close-knit twins who want a shared item. Worth discussing with the parents: some twin siblings love to share, others prefer to each have their own version. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
What's best to avoid for twins
A few gifts that end up causing jealousy. The "big gift for the older one, small gift for the younger one" (between twins, the difference is immediately noticeable). Single gifts that force sharing (twins don't necessarily want to share everything, they need things of their own). Identical clothing (from age 3 onwards, they start to look physically different, and being identical can upset them). Greetings cards addressed "to Léa and Zoé" without distinction (opt for two separate cards instead, even very short ones).
The "cheaper because it's double" trap
Quite a few godparents of twins think they can spend "a little less per child" since there are two gifts to buy. Bad idea. Twins compare what they receive item by item. It's better to give one lovely shared gift worth €80 than two small gifts worth €30 each.
To understand the psychological dynamics of twins, the Naître et Grandir website offers several useful articles on siblings and individuality, which also apply to twins. The psychology of twins is a well-studied field: Édith Goldbeter-Merinfeld, in particular, has researched the specific need for differentiation among twins from early childhood.
The gift that says "you are two people"
Of all these ideas, the ones that work best for twins share one thing in common: they affirm that both children are two individuals, not a copy of one another. If you want a gift that says this explicitly, you can create their two personalised stories with Real Big Stories. Léa has her own adventure in her own world, Zoé has hers. For an original twin gift, this double book says clearly what everyone around twins should say to them throughout their childhood: "You are the two of you, each in your own right."