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Presents for friends' kids

51 replies

whatdoyouthink22 · 18/11/2022 12:07

Hi All,

I have a quick question - not sure if it's really an AIBU one or more of a question. For context I have no children and no immediate plans for them (I do ideally want them one day).

In the last year my friends have really stepped up their baby game and I now have 4 close friends with kids (6 kids in total)

My mum had me quite a bit later than her friends and had always given presents to her friends kids so I used to get money/presents from her friends. I want to know what most people would expect. My instinct is that I should give presents to the 6 kids but I am conscious that this number will likely grow. I want things to treat them all fairly (including any future ones).

Also what would be considered to be a reasonable gift. My first thought is £20 each (maybe £10 in money and a small toy/piece of clothing) but conscious that would amount to £120 for christmas (and the same for birthdays!).

I am lucky in that the money element is not massively problematic at the moment and I could afford to do it but conscious that the babies are just going to keep racking up! If it was 20 kids (not out of the question) then that is £800 a year without even considering if I was made Godmother/ it was big birthday etc!

What would you advise/what do you do with your kids?

OP posts:
Sceptre86 · 05/12/2022 10:28

Don't start it. Once you do it will be difficult to cut back. You might well go on to have kids of your own or your financial situation might change. I wouldn't attend the birthdays either, a happy birthday text is more than enough.

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