When spending a lot on Bday present do you still do a day out?

[NotmySundaybest]

So DS's birthdays are close together both are getting an expensive gift, (IPads) near Xmas too.
Would you still treat them to a day out or activity?
I feel pressured to treat them but costs are silly.

No children need to learn about money and budgeting and making choices. If they simply get given everything they want how do they learn?
How old are the children? Can you talk to them in an age appropriate way about what they would prefer?

Only spend what you can afford, they don't need presents and expensive days out if you can't afford both. I never got both growing up and I remember my childhood fondly

No of course not.

And I would ask yourself why you feel 'pressured' to give them a day out as well .. is it because you've always done it, is it because you feel 'society' expects it, do your DC assume you will give them a day out?

My DS is grown up now but sometimes he would have a day out (usually a sports match) and a modest gift or a more generous gift (but never in the iPad league ) and no outing. We would always have a nice birthday dinner at home.

Because I like to spoil my children & provide them with the best life I can possibly afford.

If you can afford it yes.

We often get experience gifts rather than a physical item... so the day put is the gift.

In your opening post you say 'costs are silly' which gives the impression that you can't afford it . You can give your DC the 'best life' without spoiling them with expensive gifts and days out ....

Yes, you need to make your mind up OP.

If you have plenty of 'spending money' and it is easily within your budget to do both - then why are you asking ?

If you can't afford both - again, why are you asking ?

If my dc had a birthday and Christmas close together, and wanted something expensive, then I'd get it 1/2 for birthday and 1/2 for Christmas. I'd have their friends round for a birthday tea regardless of what I spent on their present.
If, OTOH, they wanted to do something that I could just about stretch to for an 'experience', then I'd consider that to be their present, and would talk to them about it beforehand, so they could have a think and make their choice.

You can have money & still believe costs are silly.

My poor children, I didn't know that a birthday day out was a thing, I hope they don't feel I've failed them by not spoiling them enough

Its entirely up to you, are you going to change your approach based on the answers to this thread?

My sons birthday is not long before Christmas, so last year, when he was old enough to understand, he could choose between a present or a party. He's had the same choice this year too.

It's not their fault their birthdays are close to each other or Christmas. Do what you can afford but that's no excuse v

We do but a birthday trip out is for the whole family so it's just a nice thing for all of us to remember. If we were on a tight budget I'd probably do a nice but still affordable day trip, maybe a NT day out or the beach so lower entry costs.