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Original poster

Birthday money for class friends - how much?

86 replies

Blueberrymuffin8 · 23/09/2024 10:53

Hi,

My son has his second class friend's birthday today. I put £20 in a card for the first one and wondering if £10 would suffice this time? He has another to go to in a couple of weeks and it's all starting to add up.

YABU - £10 is too little?
YANBU - £10 is ok for a primary school child!

Thanks!

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 23/09/2024 11:55

tfresh · 23/09/2024 11:51

I think for 10 year old, anywhere from £30 - £60 would be appropriate.

😂 That’s funny.

Choccyp1g · 23/09/2024 11:55

One pound per age of recipient, until they get to the age of buying each other beer with their own pocket or Saturday job money.

Lazzylegs · 23/09/2024 11:55

tfresh · 23/09/2024 11:51

I think for 10 year old, anywhere from £30 - £60 would be appropriate.

Of course it would darling.

Lazzylegs · 23/09/2024 11:54

£10 is fine amongst school kids.

LittleMonks11 · 23/09/2024 11:54

Should have said they were 10 not 6.

£10 is the sweet spot.

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 23/09/2024 11:53

tfresh · 23/09/2024 11:51

I think for 10 year old, anywhere from £30 - £60 would be appropriate.

Hark at golden knickers! 🤣

Impossible for many parents, considering how many parties their kids will be invited to over the school year.

RedheadedSoulStealer · 23/09/2024 11:53

£10 is totally fine, I would just pick an amount and be consistent with all birthdays for the class.
That way there will be no comparing of amounts from either child or parent.

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 23/09/2024 11:52

Blueberrymuffin8 · 23/09/2024 11:30

They are 10 years old. I've spent years going out looking for presents and this year I thought the kids would be able to spend the money as they wish.

I think Im going to go for £15. Seems reasonable considering the cost (per head) of these parties!

£10 is absolutely fine.

It's a gift for the child, you're not helping the parents recoup the cost of the party.

Even if the parents spent a couple of grand, £10 as a gift for the child would be fine.

JustMarriedBecca · 23/09/2024 11:51

Blueberrymuffin8 · 23/09/2024 11:30

They are 10 years old. I've spent years going out looking for presents and this year I thought the kids would be able to spend the money as they wish.

I think Im going to go for £15. Seems reasonable considering the cost (per head) of these parties!

£15 standard here (Cheshire, state)

tfresh · 23/09/2024 11:51

I think for 10 year old, anywhere from £30 - £60 would be appropriate.

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 23/09/2024 11:50

AgainandagainandagainSS · 23/09/2024 11:16

I always avoid money in cards for young children- can never guarantee the parents won’t pocket it/decide how it’s spent.

Why wouldn't they decide how it's spent?

So the kid ends up with £40 or £50 and mum and dad let them blow it all on sweets and donuts? 🤣

Daffntulip · 23/09/2024 11:46

South-east here. About half the class gave money or vouchers (state junior school) last year, mostly 15 or 20, a couple of 10s.

prescribingmum · 23/09/2024 11:35

AgainandagainandagainSS · 23/09/2024 11:16

I always avoid money in cards for young children- can never guarantee the parents won’t pocket it/decide how it’s spent.

And what makes you think that parents will let them play freely with every gift they receive? Class party for lower primary age is usually 30 children - I don’t know of parents who have space for more than 30 gifts overnight. The majority ask children to pick their favourites to open and then do something else with the rest

PizzaPowder · 23/09/2024 11:31

A tenner is absolutely fine. And i'd rather this in a card so the kid can buy something decent if they get money from a few friends, rather than loads of under £10 pressies that are pretty rubbish.

Prisonpillow · 23/09/2024 11:30

DD got 75% gifts and 25% cash for her 6th birthday from friends. The mix was great because she saved the cash for a couple months and once she’d used all her gifts lots could buy a couple of things and spread it out.

All those that gave cash gave £10.

I’ve noticed birthday parties near Christmas tend to get cash more than gifts.

Original poster
Blueberrymuffin8 · 23/09/2024 11:30

They are 10 years old. I've spent years going out looking for presents and this year I thought the kids would be able to spend the money as they wish.

I think Im going to go for £15. Seems reasonable considering the cost (per head) of these parties!

OP posts:
Tdcp · 23/09/2024 11:23

I have a £5 limit for school friends. They're year 5.

Cobblersorchard · 23/09/2024 11:22

AgainandagainandagainSS · 23/09/2024 11:16

I always avoid money in cards for young children- can never guarantee the parents won’t pocket it/decide how it’s spent.

At 5 yes I very much decide how it’s spent, she doesn’t toddle off to town on her own! I help her spend it though, but I won’t let her buy anything age inappropriate or something we already have a million of (like bags and hair clips, she has 11 bags she does not need more).

Cobblersorchard · 23/09/2024 11:17

DD gets mostly presents, the few that did cash did either £5 or £10, £10 was the norm.

Presents ranged from £5-15 on average, I only know the price because I had bought same type of gifts myself. I usually spend up to £10 (but use offers so often costs less) for class friends, up to £25 for her very best friends. I keep a small stock of generic presents in, using offers like 2 for £15 at Argos. For kids we know well DD chooses something.

£20 cash is unnecessary, £10 absolutely fine and still generous.

AgainandagainandagainSS · 23/09/2024 11:16

I always avoid money in cards for young children- can never guarantee the parents won’t pocket it/decide how it’s spent.

PinkyFlamingo · 23/09/2024 11:16

I would be horrified if any of me be had received £20 at primary!

soundsys · 23/09/2024 11:14

I was going to say a river. I'd be a little embarrassed if you spent £20 on my primary school kid, I'd think that's more from an Aintie or something

Coconutter24 · 23/09/2024 11:12

I used to just put £5 in a card for class parties, at that age there’s usually 1 a month at least!! I used to do best friends £10 but now they are teens best friends get £20 spent on them

PurpleHiker · 23/09/2024 11:12

I live in South London and I've noticed in recent years that the going rate seems to be £20 for 10-12 year olds. But if they are much younger then I think £10 is acceptable. Alternatively get a toy/Lego set type present but include a gift receipt.

shaniatwainfan · 23/09/2024 11:10

£5 and some sweets to unwrap

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