How much to spend on a birthday present for a 3-year-old?

[fusehasgone]

Apologies in advance for this pathetic ninny question. dd is going to a birthday party for a friend at nursery - first time this has happened as we have been fairly socially isolated until recently. I am dithering over how much to spend on a present for the birthday boy? Is £15 about right or is that too little/too much? Any answers?

[Doubletop]

Oh god, £15 is loads! I never spend more than fiver.

[JARM]

I would say £10 max, at 3yo they have no concept of money or how much things cost.

[IdrisTheDragon]

When DS goes to parties I generally spend up to £5 as a maximum (and make good use of 3 for 2 and other offers). I may be a bit stingy though although I think presents he has had have been of a similar price.

[Bellie]

definately £10 max, but it depends on how much you can afford. at age 3 they have no concept of money. The one thing that my dd is playing with still from her birthday is a cbeebies magazine and the toy that came with it that she got from a friend who we know has very little money. It is a great present and she loves it!

[mazzystar]

as little as possible - they won't know and unless their parents are bonkers they won't mind.

[puppydavies]

£15 way ott unless it's a very good friend or you know the child well and you want to get a specific thing because you know it's perfect for them.

fiver more like it

[FieryGlassSlipper]

I have £7 limit for close friends and £5 for other friends. My DD is 3.5

[handlemecarefully]

Personally I find presents under a fiver a little stingy (really sorry if that's causes anyone to bristle but just being honest about my own gut reaction when dd gets a present from friends), I'm comfortable with gifts between £5-£10, and think over £10 is a bit too 'try hard'

It's a minefield!

[handlemecarefully]

lol just read mazzystar's post - well tbh I am a little bit bonkers

[juuule]

Totally agree with Mazzystar.

[handlemecarefully]

That's rather provocative. Hormonal?

[JARM]

HMC - i agree with you. £5-10 is about right i think.

[MioMao]

I would say £5 is about right - you can get something really nice for £5 - book, toy, craft stuff, etc. Make use of the 3 for 2 gift offers around at the moment, and make a start on your christmas shopping at the same time!

[juuule]

Do you think so? Why? Just badly timed that my post followed yours. Don't take it personally. Not hormonal are you?

[SoMuchToBits]

I think about £5 - £10. More like £10 if you know them a bit better.

[handlemecarefully]

lol, quite possibly

[fusehasgone]

Thanks for the replies. So £15 is too much then? The party is at the leisure centre so I thought that if the parents were paying for that, I didn't want to seem mean with the present. handle-m-c, I think I could easily be guilty of trying too hard - just want to get it right for dd (so that I am not a social liability to her!! ).

[Scanner]

agree with the others I aim for £5, but have sometimes had to spend a couple of pounds more. I have three children and all the presents they've received have been this sort of price.

[handlemecarefully]

And a very positive sentiment it is too fusehasgone.

I think it is too much. There seems ti be an informal unspoken consensus amongst parents of party goers in the same group about how much is spent - and you could be setting too high a gold standard with £15. Best to stick to the safe territory

However if you really want to be very generous - that's your prerogative

[fusehasgone]

£5-10 it is. From what I've seen, there are lots of good toys available for that price and, as someone said, the kids don't know or care how much it costs as long as it's fun. Thanks .

[EachPeachPearMum]

We are going to a party of a 3 yr old at a leisure centre tomorrow- we have spent £6

[milliec]

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