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Original poster

How many gifts do you buy your child for their birthday?

39 replies

cruelladevill · 07/02/2022 21:46

Just out of curiosity.

My child's birthday is coming up. They have had one big gift. Child is only young, under 5. I feel guilty they won't have more than one present to open. Sure they will get gifts from family too later on in the day

What's the norm? I know it varies from families. Just wondering everyone's views

OP posts:
HelloDulling · 07/02/2022 21:50

Usually a few bits and bobs, books, clothes, and then a bigger present. Same as Christmas, really. DH’s family do one big present for birthdays, we do not.

duvetdayforeveryone · 07/02/2022 21:51
  1. Always have, always will. DS1 turns 11 in March and it is still 1.
girlsyearapart · 07/02/2022 21:55

We spell out their name then IS and then the age and write a letter on each.
Then hide the presents and they have to find them and spell out the sentence before opening.
Dc have 4/5 letter names.
Presents are not all big money ones though , some are packets of sweets or lip balm or something.
Have to carry it on now we’ve started - the eldest of 4 is 15 this year..

ParkheadParadise · 07/02/2022 21:55

1 present from us. I have a large family so dd gets lots of presents from them.
Also, her birthday is 3 weeks before Christmas which is a nightmare for presents.

Ogwen · 07/02/2022 21:56

1 ‘experience’ type gift, like tickets to something they want to do.
1 small ‘something to unwrap’.

YetAnotherUsernameToday · 07/02/2022 21:56

Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.

Mine are 5&6 and absolutely happy with a this. My son got a soft toy if his favourite character for his birthday and he absolutely loves it, despite getting bigger gifts from other family members. Sometimes getting one thing they want is more memorable. X

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/02/2022 21:58

Depends what they want. Sometimes its one big thing. Other years 2 or 3 small things.

sanityisamyth · 07/02/2022 21:58

I've always taken DS to Center Parcs with friends (covid aside). He then gets activities there, as well as a few presents to open from me, friends and family.

00100001 · 07/02/2022 21:59

1 gift.

He always ended up with.12+ from other sources, so he's always had 1 gift from us.

MsMeNz · 07/02/2022 22:04

I'd say we spend on average 100-150 and that would be on say 3-6 gifts say for my youngest daughter that would be a few dolls, a slime set, maybe a few Claire's accessories things, some sweets and maybe a top. For older boys that would be a say a branded hoody, a playstation game, some led lights.
I do see ppl on Facebook giving massive piles of presents though for their kids birthdays, which seems insane to me but everyone is different I guess. We don't do parties but will have their grandparents over for a takeaway or something like that.

CorneliusBeefington · 07/02/2022 22:06

Loads. A largish pile. 20+ at least. Stuff to see him through over the year. Toys, clothes, books. Whatever I think he will like.

mizzo · 07/02/2022 22:08

It depends, if it's something big like a bike or a console they'd just have that. If they've asked for something smaller then I'll buy some other bits and bobs to go with it.
They usually have a day out or a party, a big cake, we have a tradition of new birthday eve pyjamas too.

brio4ever · 07/02/2022 22:08

I don't count the number of individual items, I just have a approximate budget to stay around, so far that's been between £100-£200, DD is 4 so I'm sure it'll go up as she grows up. Don't get hung up on the number of things, but rather what is affordable to you, and would be appreciated and used by the child.

RaginaPhalange · 07/02/2022 22:09

My youngest will be 1 on Thursday, he's get 3 gifts, eldest will be 6 in April and getting 1. Both having the same amount spent on them.

DockOTheBay · 07/02/2022 22:13

My daughter turns 5 this year. Generally we seem to follow more or less:
1 "big" present - this year a sandpit which was £50
3 or 4 medium sized presents costing £5 to £10 each e.g. tub of slime, hama beads, book, small lego set
A couple of "stocking filler" type things like temp tattoos, chocolate bar, stickers, socks.

I aim to spend £100 as an absolute maximum. However she also gets a fair amount of presents from family members and certainly doesn't go without. I usually ask some family to contribute to e.g. annual pass or experience, so we don't end up with too many toys as we don't have a huge house!

Hugasauras · 07/02/2022 22:14

I don't really count items. More than 1, less than 100 Grin

I just buy what we can afford and what I think she will like.

Original poster
cruelladevill · 07/02/2022 22:14

Okay some replies have made me feel better.

The big gift is a bike he has wanted for a while. Although that changed two days ago and decided he wanted a different coloured bike to what I'd already bought him Hmm little bugger.

I've spent the entire birthday budget on it, single parent household, other child's birthday is in the same month.

Silly to feel guilty really but I do. Christmas they get a bit more, bigger budget.

OP posts:
Original poster
cruelladevill · 07/02/2022 22:16

@brio4ever

I don't count the number of individual items, I just have a approximate budget to stay around, so far that's been between £100-£200, DD is 4 so I'm sure it'll go up as she grows up. Don't get hung up on the number of things, but rather what is affordable to you, and would be appreciated and used by the child.
I agree with you.

I just feel at such a small age theh will be looking at the amount rather than the quality!

OP posts:
cuno · 07/02/2022 22:16

I don't think the number of presents matter. You just need to set a reasonable budget and work within that, if that comes out to 1 big present then so be it.

Forgetaboutme · 07/02/2022 22:17

Mine dont get much from other people / family. So either 7 or 8 if theres no main gift or 3 or 4 if theres a main expensive gift included.

They usually get a day out too though like an activity and we all go out for dinner. Thats kind of part of it too.

Concestor · 07/02/2022 22:18

We buy one gift. Same for Christmas too (Santa sacks excepted).
I only ever got one gift, I can't get my head round doing more.

Chely · 07/02/2022 22:19

Number varies but I usually budget £100 uo to 10yrs, £150 after 10.
When little they often get smaller presents and money in their savings.

ABCeasyasdohrayme · 07/02/2022 22:19

I have a budget and stick to it so it depends.

This year my younger dd has asked for a drum kit, so that's all she will get.

My older dd has asked for various smaller gifts so she will have quite a few.

If they want a party then that's their present, aside from a couple of small things.

RoseMartha · 07/02/2022 22:21

Depends what the gift is. If you bought a bike surely one gift is enough.

When dc were little we used to spend abt £50 on gift/s.
Then do a day trip with friends and family or a small party.

Pinkfluffyunicornsandrainbows · 07/02/2022 22:24

Average 15-20 but they're not all expensive gifts. Plenty of them are smaller items like books, games etc. Family give the children money so their only gifts are from us. Just do what suits you and your family op.