I feel awkward about over generous party gifts

[User373433]

My DD7 had a big party yesterday, in a church hall, whole class invited plus more from an activity she does and other friends so not a small expensive activity type party. I don't live in an affluent area, and usually people spend between £5-10 on a gift or £10 cash in a card, a few people giving £5. I wish it was more customary to just stick to a £5 budget for these type of parties personally, as with so many coming at this kind of low cost party children really don't need to be showered in cash and gifts.

Maybe in future if I do a very big party again I will be brave enough to ask people to stick to £5 or less if they want to bring a gift, but I realise that can sound rude too.

My dilemma is two people gave £20 in a card, people my child isn't very close to. One of those is a colleague of mine and I don't think I will say anything but the other is a child from Ukraine and I wonder if the parents are not familiar with party customs here. I'm really just wondering if there is a way for me to say it is way more generous than customary without offending them?

I think £5 is too low. £10-£15 quid is my goal. Slightly more for a closer friend.

Make a note of who gave what though. I have seen some shocking presents that can't have been more than £2. I'd be too embarrassed to do that.

£5 isn’t too low but this is Mumsnet where everyone earns the classic 6 figure salary.

I wouldn’t say anything to the parents, why embarrass them? Just say thank you for your generous gift. For them, it may not be a huge amount. £5 for a low income family may be a much bigger sum so therefore, in theory, they’re giving the bigger gift comparatively.