To ask how much you spend on presents for other kids birthdays?

[Belladonna666]

My ds gets invited to all the other kids birthdays (seems to be the pc way of doing it in reception and year 1). However, I am finding that I am spending a lot on presents but dc goes to a school with lots of rich families who seem to think nothing of spending £10+ on each present for each child's birthday. We are not very well off and money is tight. I don't think I can get away with buying gifts from the £1 shop though. Last year he was invited to 30+ birthday parties (although he didn't go to all of them) so I need to find a solution.

Can I ask how much you spend on other kids birthday presents and if anyone has any ideas for nice but relatively cheap presents (that don't look to cheap)?

Money is really tight atm so I aim for no more than £5. We have had loads of summer holiday parties so far and everyone has got a bubble machine from asda for £2.50. We have a couple as well and they really are a big hit with reception aged kids.

We've stocked up on cards for the next year which should cover both DSSs party needs and a few emergencies for us - card shop had a 10 for £1 & a 7 for £1 deal on.

For DSS2 (6) birthday party invites, DP normally takes DSS2 to the shop and DSS2 picks the present - price range between £2-3. Back in January, we got DSS2's best friend a scarf, gloves & a little stationery set for £3. Just a case of looking for the best deals.

i usually spend about a tenner,sometimes a bit more,but i dolike buying stuff in general!

Books and art stuff are a good bet if you are on a budget,also buy things before you need them when you see offers.

I have 3 kids, all in primary school, so we get a fair few party invites. I spend around £5 per child, keep a big roll of generic kids birthday wrapping paper in the house and stock up on the '7 for £1' cards from Card Factory. I find girls are easier to buy for than boys, especially older boys, as you can get so many bitty, girly things for a fiver from Claires, whereas with ds (8) I ask 'what does so-and-so like?' and get told 'Ben 10 and stuff' - you can get one farty little figure for £5, so then I hit The Works for books and arty stuff. BFF's get a little extra spent on them though.

Asda is good for books, sticker books etc.

I'm in a very similar position to you. I would suggest TK Maxx or Home Sense, you can get some great books for very discounted prices. I got a gorgeous pop up book, with a cover price of £14.99 for £3.99 for a party DD had last week. Remember to take the price sticker off they'll be none the wiser (and it really was a very nice book).

Oh, zombie thread.

Between £5 and £10, depending on how skint I am. Never more than £10 though!

General friends about 6/8 pounds depending on the birthday bash.

Get the kids to make the card. Look for deals and shop in the sales. The book people sell 3 Mr Gum audio story CD's in a pack for 5 pounds. Undead Ed collection of 3 books is a fiver too. Tilly tiptoes collection of 3 books also a fiver.

Do you have 'The Works' book shop anywhere near you? They have some really good offers on books which go down a treat. I have taken to making people (adults as well as kids) little hampers for birthdays. One of the gifts I did recently was a book from The Works, a box of chocolates (bought when they were on offer) and a small teddy bear from a card shop, wrapped up in cellophane (huge roll very cheap from ebay) with a big bow. It cost about £4 to make.