...to ask how much you spend on birthday gifts for your DC's friends?

[wheresmyfairygodmother]

Talking about their general classmates.

I used to spend roughly the equivalent of what they'd spent on inviting my child to the party, eg. for a soft play party I'd spend around £10.

Then my DC had a soft party and I couldn't believe the cheap tat some parents gifted! Have been unsure of etiquette ever since. I am constantly working to a budget so don't want to overspend, but I'm also curious what's the norm

Usually between 5-10 too, but my DD has just been invited to a class party and they've asked for money to put towards something particular they want. £5 seems tight but if everyone gave £10 they could end up with £300 which seems ridiculous.

When DC1 was in primary there was a policy of the "class gift" if the whole class was invited to a birthday. One person would volunteer to collect money, each to his own amount, and buy a worthwhile present that the child actually wanted. And EVERYBODY signed the class card.

With DC2 that hasn't happened, unfortunately. I try to stick to about £10, a little more for special friends, but I've been embarrassed when DC2 received branded tshirts or hardback books. I'm not interested in competitive generosity, so just say a big thanks and make off with the swag!

£8-£12, probably more often near the upper end of that unless I find a good deal (like WH smith had a box set of 3 Rainbow Fairies / Worst Witch stories for a fiver). Usually we get a book plus a small Lego set or small craft kit. Or a couple of books, or a larger hardback book. I usually get gift receipts too.

A couple of people who came to DD's last bday party gave her tenners! Which actually worked out brilliantly - she loved figuring out what she could buy for that (she's 5).

I usually spend £10 max including wrapping and card. Generally go to B and M and can get something decent for that.

£5-10 here depending on whether I find a bargain or not, and how close the friend is. Often I find quite cheap things, so I'll add in a book or sticker book from a multipack (good old Book People sets!), or a pack of sweets.

I sometimes feel a bit embarrassed at the value of some presents we get- ds2 got one of the Lego sets that cost about £17 or so from a friend! But then I did let her little sister come too so perhaps the mum doubled up the value? Or she is a lot more generous than me!

Generally I think anywhere from around £3-£12 or so is the norm around here.

I took the advice in here when I asked last yea - aiming for £7-£10 or £15
For two (I have twins so always take two presents to each party).

DTs are late August and there party was the last in the class. I was HORRIFIED by the value of most of the presents. £20 gift vouchers each from John Lewis, Toys R Us, Smiggle etc, a bag and a tshirt from M&S each etc. All beautiful presents but most people were forking out £40 to send their kids to a 2hour party that was in a school hall!!

We will most definitely be upping the value next year....

I spend about £10 on the present..

Argos.do 2 games for £20 things like monopoly frustration kerplunk.

I always put £40 in a card, that way the child can go and something that they actually want, DS has recieved so many unwanted presents.

I buy stocks of books from the book people, always a good present and cheap x

£40!?

I try to spend around a fiver!

I'd say between £5 - £12.

seens as I'm a working single parent who has to budget down the the penny......

......id hate for one of my children to be invited to one of the OPs parties......

maybe you should just be glad the child turned up rather than what they brought with them, I've had my DD1 have two parties, one where no children turned up and one where 2 turned up, just be great full instead of bitching about your child not getting amazing present

entitled much

£40 Coco?! That's a typo surely? Please tell me that's a typo!

Usually around a fiver if I can get away with it, I stock up on things from the bargain shelf at t k Maxx or when I see things in home bargains that look more expensive than they are so I usually have a couple of things in the back of the cupboard.

Of course it isn't all about the presents but surely a total waste of their money if it is something badly made or just really unappealing. Two parties tomorrow, I've spent £10 for each, I usually ask what the party child is into at the moment too, I'm not up to date with girls for example. Or, I always think pjs are a good gift.

£10 minimum for my kid's friends unless I spot a real bargain and get something worth at least £10.
Admittedly I did wonder why I bother when DD's friend turned up for her birthday with a plastic necklace telling us her mum bought it for 50p.

£5 tops. It doesn't matter whether it is an all out flash soft play party or a little tea party at home. We had a little party for my son's 5th party and it didn't even cross my mind to judge how much the gifts he received would have cost. He didn't care, and nor did I. I can't afford more than a fiver. Three children could potentially get invited to 29 parties a year (unlikely, but possible). That is over £400 in presents for other children. That's my entire Xmas budget, or a months salary for me.

I spend £5-8 on a party present, regardless of what type of party it is, I always try and get something I know they are into or some type of craft thing.. And January sales help stock my present box up

OP I don't really understand why the families financial status comes into it

Coco, £40?! That's crazy, I wouldn't expect that off family

Kids are usually just grateful they got given a gift and in my experience would be happy with a box of sweets if they got them lol

Is it really bad form to put £10 in a card?

It wasn't a typo, I actually think £40 is a reasonable amount to spend on a childs toy.

The way I see it, there's 2 things children love about parties. 1: in the short term, seeing their friends. 2. in the longer term, playing / using their gifts. To anyone saying the latter doesn't matter, I personally think you're viewing things more as an adult who understands different personal situations rather than a child who sees none of that. Both things matter to them in different ways.

If you read a previous post, I was referring the rubbish gifts coming from well-off families, where it was a choice, which was what caused me to originally start questioning things. I am also a lone parent with no support (practical or financial). I wasn't commenting on people who may not have had a choice. My observation came from those who did. There is no need to be so defensive awesomeness. I wasn't bitching but explaining where I was approaching the subject from IMO.

No clue at what I spend - we have a present box which I fill with bargains as and when I find them. The dc love having a rummage and finding something they're friends would like.

Around £10 slightly less if I can get a bargain, up to £15 for a special friend. MY dd is 8 and if she goes to a party its usually £10 in a card so I'm bad too jesstar if it is Doesn't matter what type of party still same budget.

Also i think you're getting a hard time off some people op, the original post was obviously meant in a genuine way and I didn't think you came across as entitled or bitchy, just a mum trying to get it right. Xx