A.i.b.u kids party gift....... am I cheap?

[Hisnamesblaine]

Ds age 3 coming 4 in nursery. Loads of fellow classmates birthday party going on at the minute...... we accept the invite if available and our ds gets on with the child in question. On to my issue of gifts. I generally buy them in the salea etc nd at this time of year there's dome great Christmas offers etc. Anyho. We had a very last minute invite today bowling party with food and came afterwards. I had 1 day to purchase gift.... And Nov was also a birthday heavy month for us with family members. Soooooooo I went to b&m and purchased a toy truck (for a little boy turning 4) reduced from 8:99 to 5:99. My hubby has told me it was cheap and nasty. Normally I wouldn't spend any more than a tenner for a child's gift...... So was I tight? Oh I dunno. I do feel bad now but we aren't made of money and still have loads to get for Christmas!

Nope. A fiver is about what we would spend for a present at that age. And the kind of presents my kids got from friends were also of that ilk.

I think it’s fine, I always try to spend between £5 and £10 on a gift (unless it’s a close friend of ours) and often get things from Quality Save for presents, you can get some good bargains!

Not at all - my son is having a party soon and will also be 4. I and he will be pleased and grateful for ANY gift received.

It wouldn't matter to me what the cost was or even if someone didn't bring a gift - I'm just happy that they come to his party for him.

Personally I think that's about right. I wouldn't spend more than £10

I buy a load of books for boys and girls at €1.50 each and give them as gifts throughout the year. They are lovely books and don't look cheap at all.

Sounds fine to me. Book is standard gift here (a nice one)

God I wouldn't think twice about it. (I also bet its the kid''s favourite present in the end!)

My DD at about 3 insisted on giving a present of some leaves and shells she'd found. I made her add some toy or other out of embarrassment. But the leaves and shells were a massive hit :/

I always spend about £5 or put a £5 note in a card.

Thanks guys. We have another 3 party's between now and crimbo.... it can become a dear do after a while.

He’s bring rediculous.

I would have just thrown the £5 in a card for a last minute invite.

I think it's fine. Tbh lots of presents are overwhelming for kids anyway and the important thing is they show up have a good time and help celebrate the day.

I would far rather people showed up than stay home worrying their present was too "cheap"

For a venue party I'd spend more as it costs the hosts per place but would look for decent discounts during the year for the odd surprise party stash.

I tend to stick to branded items as some of the cheaper brands don't last so end up in land fill after a short amount of time. Obviously your husband agreed given his comment.

Absolutely not tight, I think gift giving between children is just a nice gesture, a kind of socialisation, anyway. The child's family will give nice gifts, their friends' parents are under no obligation to add to this, so a nice little something is perfectly reasonable. I often buy a book, £5.99 is about right for that. Also, bookshops offer loads of choice in a small space for a similar price range.

It's fine. The value of the gift is close to a tenner, so what if it was reduced? The child won't know. If DH is that bothered about selecting the perfect gift for dcs classmates let him take responsibility for shopping for them!

Exactly cantsleep if he were to go and but it he would xome.back with something so over the top and expensive for a little boy we've never met. Bit then his budgeting skills leave alot to be desired

For a venue party I'd spend more as it costs the hosts per place but would look for decent discounts during the year for the odd surprise party stash

Stuff that, far too organised

End of day shit happens no one wants to house a pile of discounted toys in case of party emergency and none of it means anything if no one's there due to unnecessary present angst.

I can say with all honesty dds cant remenber who got them what and when.

What they do remember is that they had a good time and that their friends were there.

and who ate the last chocolate biscuit

I'm sure others would disagree however I don't really care if people give presents or not I just care that people came. That's enough.

Don't take this the wrong way but really the kids are friends and the parents don't always know eachother well so the obligation to think ahead and make sure you have amazing presents in store waiting just isn't there.

It sounds perfect, 3 and 4 year olds really dont look at the quality in the same critical way adults do.

Nope, absolutely fine.

Buying birthday presents at this time of year is a blooming nightmare. In fact, now that my DCs are getting older we almost always give money or vouchers. Children love going to buy something for themselves and I am always relieved when my DCs receive money or vouchers: zero chance of repeat presents and less plastic clutter!

I can't understand your DH at all..
Also to pp who said they'd give more if it was a venue and the parents had paid a lot for the party.. that is the parents choice, I wouldn't expect a more expensive present for my child because the party was expensive.

That is what my DH did when our eldest was in reception and he was tasked with getting a gift - he bought something that was almost £20. I was mortified and he couldn't understand why. (We're fortunate and the cost isn't an issue but was horrified as his inadvertantly looking like I was trying to raise the bar !)

When i shop I aim for £10 original price, will go a bit over for close friends, try to pool with others when possible, but certainly for an age 4 acquaintance that is more than adequate.

I've never heard of the kid in question. And it was unisex name so I had to make sure from the teacher that it was indeed a boy. If and when we decide to.have birthday party for our don I would not expect gifts and again as previous posters have said i wphld be more pleased that my child was making friends and enjoying the day!

That's absolutely fine!
That's an average amount to spend on pre-schooler party gifts isn't it?

We are having a party for dd soon (similar age range) and I'm sort of hoping that most parents don't spend too much on gifts, because it would be quite overwhelming otherwise. Would be greatful for anything, even a card - at that age having a load of friends over for a party is far more meaningful than the stuff they get.

And like pps have said, if dh is so bothered he can do the shopping next time!

A fiver is about right around us!

I think some dc pay attention to who bought what. My dd can still remember what everyone bought her when she was 3 and 4 (She's 5 nearly 6 now). She was thrilled with all presents though and obv has no idea about value.