Buying presents for step grandchildren

I would treat them equally at Christmas. You say their mother is a lovely girl - keep it that way!

As your son and his partner have just had a baby, presumably they are a family unit - she's not just his latest girlfriend, where it would be in order for you to buy token gifts for her children.

MrJ has no children, I have two, with two GC’s by my daughter he is the GC’s Grandad. My son this year has a partner who has a daughter, we will treat all of the children the same at Christmas. Should my son and partner have a child, that child would be treated exactly the same as the others..

I came across this a few times when working with families, and also in my extended family. I think that there are 2 thigs to consider:
I think you need an open conversation with your son's family. It sounds like you all get on well, so you can explain.
To help you in that conversation, you need to know, as far as you can, what relationship the children's dad and his family have with your step-grandchildren.
You would behave very differently in these 2 extremes:
Your step-GCs have no contact at all with their birth father's family and are seen by your son as his children.
Or: Your step-GCs have a close relationship with their birth father and his parents, and are bought nice presents by them.

I have known this compromise, but of course it depends on your own resources and gift-buying habits:
A mid-cost gift (or money) is given to all of the children at Xmas & birthdays. The 'top-up' for the birth grandchild is put into a savings account.

Whatever you decide, if it done openly and with love, then everyone usually understands. The step-GCs are of an age to understand, and will probably appreciate any recognition.

As I type this, I realise that I don't know if any of your existing grandchildren are your son's. I don't think it alters the principle, but may mean it's a little more awkward in practice.

I would also say that your step-GCs are fortunate that you are thinking of them - I have experience of the situation described by aonk!

My DH and I each have 2 children. The first Christmas we were married his (late) first wife’s family were invited for Boxing Day. They brought generous gifts for my DHs children but nothing at all for mine. They were 14 and 10 at the time. They’ve never forgotten and refused to allow members of that family to their weddings. I suggest you find other occasions to treat your new grandchild and give gifts of a similar value to all at Christmas.

I’m not sure I agree with previous comments. If the OP has only met the step GC twice briefly, she obviously doesn’t see much of them. Are they with their dad when she visits, or when son and partner come to visit her? Also being teenagers already, not so easy to buy for when you don’t really know them at all. Has she bought presents for them past Christmases?

I have no step GC, so no experience of this situation. I would be inclined to give them cash, most teenagers prefer this, and buy the new GD whatever the OP wants to. If she doesn’t spend the same on them as the others, that’s her choice.

Realise my views will not be what others may think.

I agree with previous posters, that's the way to go Sophiasnana

Divide the amount you can equally afford by 7.

If you show preference for the baby, it will create problems.

It is tricky but I think what I would do is decide on the amount that you can afford to spend on Christmas for your grandchildren and then divide it to include an equal amount for all including the two step grandchildren. Money can cause so many problems and hurt feelings that to me, fair shares for all would be the way forward.