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Original poster

How many birthday presents do you get your child?

124 replies

00100001 · 12/04/2019 07:36

I'm just being nosey really.

We have always brought one smallish present for DS. As he was growing up it was things like a Dr Who colouring book and pens. A Ninjago. A starwars onesie.as he got older, he got some decent fineline pens for his art, a graphic novel he wanted, a wok (his request!).

He also has cake and chooses dinner.

My colleague said I was being tight! But it's not about that, it's about ALL THE FUCKING STUFF.

It's not like he goes without on his birthday as he will get around 15 other gifts. (GPs, aunts, uncles, neighbour, friends etc)

OP posts:
SoyDora · 12/04/2019 07:39

Mine are little and still at the ‘large parties with 30 gifts from friends’ stage so not much!
Usually one ‘main’ gift (like a Lego set) and a couple of bits to go with it, like a craft kit, scented gel pens etc.

Coco278 · 12/04/2019 07:44

We gave one main big gift around £50. That increased to a gift valuing around £100i when they turned into teenagers.

guiltynetter · 12/04/2019 07:44

If your son is happy with that, then fine. but to be honest a colouring book and pens doesn't seem like a decent present for their birthday.

my DD is only 4 she probably gets 3-4 presents off us, with one 'main one' being more substantial.

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BurrSir · 12/04/2019 07:44

I spend about £150 on DD. I’m trying to do less as at Christmas she was very overwhelmed but by starting early in an attempt to be organised I’ve ended up getting more IYSWIM.

AuditAngel · 12/04/2019 07:46

Depends on what they ask for. More expensive main gift, fewer others.

Usually one or more from is, plus one/two from siblings.

Breathingfire · 12/04/2019 07:50

My dd is about to turn 4, I think she'll have about 6 presents to open, they are all things she will 100% love and go crazy for but bar a new colouring book and craft set they're 2nd hand from selling pages (a book, a fancy dress outfit, a toy till, a puzzle) She's also getting a pig 😂 that's her main present, we're farmers and she's asked for pigs since she was tiny

I don't think you're tight. My other dd turns one in July, one of the pigs is for her and I'll maybe get her one present but you're right plenty of other people will buy "stuff"

Stompythedinosaur · 12/04/2019 07:51

We normally give a main present, a couple of small presents, and help their sibling to get a small present.

I think that a colouring book is the only birthday present seems quite.small (obviously if that is all finances allow then that is fine).

Drogosnextwife · 12/04/2019 07:52

You get him a colouring book and pens or a novel or a onesie? Yeah that's tight! I can see it if you were absolutely skint but I doubt you are. Sorry but I think that's pretty shit.

MakeUpGirl · 12/04/2019 07:52

DD is 5 next month and she’s got 3 presents from me that come to about £70 total.
She’s also having a whole class party so will get lots of smaller gifts or money from her friends
She’ll probably get decent presents from grandparents too so definitely won’t be lacking in parcels to open

ICJump · 12/04/2019 07:53

We do the something to wear, something to read, something they want, something they need.

It means they get 4 or 5 things but only toy.

Theonewiththecat · 12/04/2019 07:56

Last year dd was 9 and she got 8 small presents (board games, smellies etc) a main present and £50 on her go Henry card.

I usually spend about £100 - £150 on birthdays

BlueMerchant · 12/04/2019 07:57

£50 cash ( they like to have day out to choose something) and 3-4 small presents (£20 each present max) off us.
Usually get clothes and money off relatives. They add the money to the £50 we give so they can buy a 'big' present that's off everyone really.

TreacherousPissFlap · 12/04/2019 07:59

DS is an only child and we have an extremely small family so (apart from DM) we are his only real gift givers.
This year we're going to London for the weekend (as it coincides with another reason for us going) and we have got him tickets for a show. He also has a new pair of boots (his request!) and we will eat out at Nando's wherever he chooses.
It's a bit like Christmas though, there is a steady decrease in the size and number of presents, coupled with a steady increase in the cost Grin

IntoValhalla · 12/04/2019 08:00

Depends on the presents I guess.
Last year my eldest had an epic birthday party, so only had some small presents to open.
This year she’s asked for some bigger presents (outdoor toys) so is having those but a small birthday tea with a few friends from preschool.

MyNewBearTotoro · 12/04/2019 08:01

I usually buy one big present from me and DP (eg: doll’s pram, toy kitchen, bicycle) then a couple of smaller presents which I give ‘from’ their siblings (DC all too young to buy anything themselves but DD understands about birthdays and giving gifts and wants to be part of the celebrations). Then they get plenty of gifts from grandparents and other family as well.

Jackshouse · 12/04/2019 08:03

I’m wondering what to do this year. DD is 3 having a proper party, she asked for one. We are also drowning in toys already.

I was thinking of getting a second hand playhouse for garden. Her birthday is May so when family ask for suggestions we often suggest garden toys.

BarryTheKestrel · 12/04/2019 08:04

DD is 4 next week and really into little cheap things at the moment so when wrapping it looked liked we'd bought her loads but have actually spent a maximum of £50 on all the presents including her main present (a much coveted rainbow mermaid Barbie). She'll be happy as she loves unwrapping things and I know everything we've bought will be loved and played with or used.

It's not about the stuff or the money, it's about knowing what your child likes and what you can afford.

CherryPavlova · 12/04/2019 08:05

First birthdays nothing.
Second birthday something tiny and made a cake.
Third birthdays party with nursery friends couple of small presents.
Increased from there through a few things they needed but also wanted - trainers they wanted if they needed trainers anyway etc.
Usually just one present they really, really wanted from about ten.

I don’t think for tiny ones it’s mean. I think they have no concept of money or material value. It matters that they know they are loved and special. Teaching avarice and greed is not a good thing. Teaching love requires significant financial outlay isn’t a good thing.

Best present I ever did was to make a wardrobe that was a Punch and Judy style puppet theatre filled with homemade dressing up outfits. They had years of fun and I’ll renovate it when we have grandchildren.

Passmethecrisps · 12/04/2019 08:06

No idea but I would hazard a guess at 4 - 6 presents totally about £50-70. But we are still at the whole class party stage so she gets the party and a gift from everyone then utterly spoiled by grandparents.

It sounds like your son has grown up though so does it matter?

stucknoue · 12/04/2019 08:10

It depends, not a lot when they were small - or something they need/we want them to have but now they are big they ask for what they want eg a phone, computer etc but amount of money varies depending on whether it's needed

Original poster
00100001 · 12/04/2019 08:17

". but to be honest a colouring book and pens doesn't seem like a decent present for their birthday."

But he was Dr who mad at the time (6 or 7), loved colouring in and drawing, and this was the perfect present. In fact he still has the book :) what's not decent about it?

OP posts:
EdtheBear · 12/04/2019 08:18

I'd say I biggish gift, lego set or something.
How old is your child? Even if they are older which wok suggests, I'd say clothes, hobby items etc.

Colouring book does seem a bit tight unless your skint.

Original poster
00100001 · 12/04/2019 08:19

" a novel"?
It was graphic novel that he was desperate for and cost £28!

OP posts:
bakebakebake · 12/04/2019 08:20

Spent around £130 for DS 7th birthday.
Playmobil, xbox controller, xbox game and a few other bits.

But have only spent £17 for DS 1st birthday next week.

emelsie · 12/04/2019 08:24

I probably give around 15/20, with 4/5 being bigger presents, but I have just replicated what I was given as a child without much thought and to be honest it is way too much and for my second child (recently born) I will cut down a lot , it is not necessary.

I would say if it works for you then there isn't a problem , children just become accustomed to what they get, eg. If I now gave my daughter one present I think she would be a bit bemused (unfortunately).

Does he have the opportunity to earn any toys /books/etc throughout the year outside of birthdays?