To ask how much you spend on your DC's birthday?

[MrsStinkey]

DD1 is 6 soon and I'm just thinking about presents for her birthday. She got a really good Christmas although she didn't ask for very much she got the things she asked santa for plus a few extras from DH and I then an absolute mountain of presents from my DM and DDad, DG and DSis and DBil. DH and I have decided this year we're cutting back as we have a small loan we'd like to repay and then saving to buy another house in a couple of years time. Anyway what I really want to know is how much to people budget for their DC's birthdays? We've said no party this year as we did that last year and it cost a fortune but she can go for dinner at Brewers fayre (her favourite) with a school friend which we'll pay for then we can buy her a present/some presents. What do you all spend on birthdays?

We spend about £20 on a present and about £40 on a cake and party food for family. Every other year they each have a party.

Usually £50 each on presents. Ds1 is having a party this year so we will be spending more on his birthday than the others this year. His younger siblings will have their turn when they are older.

My recently turned six year old got a £30 playmobil set from us and a £15 t-shirt from his siblings, party that cost around £250 including cake, party bags, food and drinks for adults, and a family meal at Frankie and Bennys around £90 (rip off!)

Older DC probably got more expensive presents and less expensive parties at the same age.
They have a lot of presents from friends and family but often not what they are into or duplicates (we got three versions of guess who at Christmas and already had the original) so a lot gets regifted/donated.

We don't spend much on presents,(under £20) as we have generous family, who ask for ideas then follow through! This year someone wanted to buy them bikes. But we do spend out on an outing / treat (with family for little ones). We also have a v small home currently, so struggle to store presents.

About £30-£50 on presents and about £100 on a day out/ party, as requested.

I've never even thought of spending more or that that was cheap . I thought most people were similar in keeping birthday presents low key? Oh well, no one has complained yet.

I don't have a set amount. If there's something dd needs/wants that's expensive then we just get that, if she wants something less she just gets that. Kids don't always think about things in terms of monetary value, especially when young, it's about whether they want that thing or not. e.g, one year we gave her a swing which cost £200, another she got a board game and a few books costing around £30, and one year she got a Lego kit costing around £70. We only generally give her one or two presents, I know some people like their kids to have a big pile of presents, like Christmas, but we don't go in for that.

Depends on what they want.

This year ds1 is getting about £600 spent on him as he's having a party and an expensive gift.

I don't have a budget, some years will be more, some less. It hasn't happened yet, but I envisage buying things like ipads or phones for birthdays in the future. I wouldn't spend any more than £50 on a toy.

Most recent birthday, I spent about £60-ish on presents, and we also went for a meal out as a family, and on a day-trip to the zoo.

Next birthday coming up, I have already booked a birthday party venue, which will be a bit more expensive - we will still probably spend around £50 on presents, and still go for a family meal, but we won't do a day out.

It depends. If they have loads of stuff they still play with and don't need anything they might get just a few bits - some books they like and sweets maybe. I don't get anything just for the sake of getting. We always do a party but that has ranged from full class expensive do's (not much shy of £500 all told) to cheap sleepovers with a few friends which are basically free. We've also taken them for a weekend abroad for an event they like as a present which obviously costs £££ but not every year. So anything between £20 up to a few grand here!

My ds turns 6 soon, I budget around £100 for gifts, but included things he needs like new footie boots, a few items of clothes. He is having tickets to something and then just a few toys (as so close to Christmas). Party is £150. I tend to pick bits up through the year though, so not all bought at once, the tickets were bought last Feb!

Probably about £120 + a meal out. Both my dc are in the week after Christmas I am so skint at the mo!

We normally spend around £120 on presents and £60 going out somewhere and then she has a party which is around £250 can be more or less

I budget around £200 on gifts - value not money so one year dd got a sylvannian house and furniture cost me £5 but I only bought a few other bits as the value was £60+ Plus a few bits of clothing in that figure too, new party dress/accessories, backpack/lunchbag if needed.

I see I'm in the minority though!!

Party/day out never costs more than £100 - often it's less.

Wow, I'm amazed at the amount of money people spend on birthdays. Can I ask how much you thinks was spent on you as a child growing up? We never had parties or went out for birthday activities and I'm not sure I even remember having a cake or a birthday tea. We got £10 in a card regardless of how old we were.

One of mine has a birthday comping up and there is an item he wants for £150 but not said he wants it for his birthday as he knows it's a lot of money. Has instead asked for a pair of tracksuit bottoms. I keep wondering if it should get the big price item but the thought of spending so much makes
Makes me stress somewhat!

I'm in the minority but we put far more emphasis (and cash) on birthdays rather than Christmas. Christmas (to me) has lost its real meaning so the kids get a decent haul from all and sundry but birthdays are when they get really spoiled as its their own special day.

Party - no budget, depends on what he wants. Usually £20 per child by 14 or so children.

Present / his birthday is after Christmas so he's gets loads then. Hrs getting a top and probably an Xbox game.

DS2 has SN so has never had a party . He gets a few presents - £30 or so.

I'm at some of these amounts!

I'm really excited about 9 month old DS having birthday parties in the future, my birthday is the end of December and DBro is the beginning of January and it was a bit of a rubbish time to have a birthday as everyone was busy with Christmas plus it was cold so you couldn't have a party in the back garden.

I may live vicariously through him and get a bouncy castle

I have 8 year old twins. We usually spend around £80- £100 each on presents.
Party/day out depends on what they want to do. This year it was £150 for a swimming party with inflatables, and the private room with (homemade buffet style food), cake and party bags.

Though this year they wanted more expensive presents. I said if they had those they wouldn't get a big party. So they choose the party instead but I imagine as they get older they will want more expensive presents instead.

About £200 on gifts and they get the choice of a party or day out. Party cost is usually around £150-£250 depending on venue.

Any birthday money is theirs to spend, likewise Christmas, they don't have to save it.

£100 on gifts for the younger two.

£150 on gifts for the teens.

Usually about £250 each but at Xmas it's £100 each so we put much more emphasis on birthdays

£30-£50 on present then a party or activity with a friend as well. We spend more on birthdays than Christmas.

I don't see a £100 day out as low key!!

We probably are in the top 5% of income and spend about £50. She gets the same from each set of grandparents. I'm shocked by some of the numbers on here.

£80-100 DC are six and ten

Also usually spend £150 on party / day out