To find it awkward when asked what present dc want

[FluffyBunny1234]

I always get several texts from parents just before dc birthday asking what present to get them

I spend between £5-10 for other kids and just get something age appropriate & put the gift receipt in.

Am I expected to say Lego model number 4120 please?! What if they didn't want to spend that

[MegBusset]

I usually say "he would be delighted with any small present but particularly likes (eg) books/Lego/craft stuff/Minecraft". That gives the parents a few ideas without specifying a budget.

[OvO]

I would just give a few ideas of what my DC are into. So say "anything Spongebob" or "anything Star Wars" and they can then buy something that suits their budget.

[Muskateersmummy]

I generally give an idea of the things dd is particularly into at the moment. for example for is this year I would say "she likes playing cooking and tea parties, loves her dolls house and barbies, my little ponies, paw patrol and how to train your dragon are popular too! I'm sure she will love anything you choose, but don't feel you have to"

People aren't asking for specifics I don't think, just guidance on what they do and don't enjoy. That's what I'm looking for when I ask anyway.

[lottiegarbanzo]

Yes, general guidance for friends - unless they're very good ones who are happy to hear something specific. I find producing a specific 'gift suggestion list' for family members very useful though. They often ask and would rather be able to get something she wants than guess.

[EponasWildDaughter]

My SIL uses an Amazon wish list to give us an idea what to buy for nephews.

Bit like a wedding list; she puts things with a big a range of prices on there, and you don't have to buy from Amazon, it's just so you can look at what she suggests.

the first year she did this everything was about £30 or over and no one bought anything but she learned from this and the cheapest thing was about a fiver last year

[Witchend]

I don't like it, but I tend to give vague likes. So "into craft sets" "looking for a book about planets", type answers. I know my mil likes direct answers which I find awkward as I have to make assumptions about how much they want to spend etc.

[MrsHathaway]

I agree with pps.

"He loves Lego and dinosaurs, so anything along those lines really."

Alternatively, depending on age you could suggest a duplicable object with big price range such as "a t shirt".

In all honesty nowadays I ask "anything he's particularly into, or anything you'd really rather not?" to give them a chance to say "anything dinosaurs; preferably not Lego because he got so much at Christmas he still hasn't made it all yet".

The year we said "dinosaurs" we got everything from a light fitting (PIL) to a lunchbox and everything in between.

[lottiegarbanzo]

The wish list approach avoids the need to guess on spending - include a range, let them choose.

[Muskateersmummy]

I'm interested why people don't like people asking this ? Surely you would rather people asked and got something your child wants than going out and wasting their money on something your child won't use?

[tinyterrors]

I don't mind when family ask what the dcs would like because we all have the same rough budget.

I hat being asked by school friends though because I don't know how much they want to spend. I usually do the same as pps and say something general like anything pink/frozen/ninjago.