Birthday money for class friends - how much?

[Blueberrymuffin8]

Hi,

My son has his second class friend's birthday today. I put £20 in a card for the first one and wondering if £10 would suffice this time? He has another to go to in a couple of weeks and it's all starting to add up.

YABU - £10 is too little?
YANBU - £10 is ok for a primary school child!

Thanks!

My daughter got £5 in a card from a friend for her 9th birthday, she was absolutely over the moon! I'd say £10 is definitely enough

£5 is more than enough for a primary school kid.

Neither? I’ve never heard of anyone giving money for a classmate’s birthday. Presuming these are 5th birthday parties then the kids won’t have a clue about the value of money and tend to really like the massive pile of gifts and unwrapping ‘stuff’. Then also you get into the dilemma you’re in where £10 seems a bit stingy but £20 is too much. Just go spend about £10-ish on a present would be my advice. Costs you less and the kid will much prefer it.

I would say £5 if I'm honest

Zero

People used to do £10 but the last couple of years my children have received £15 from the majority of their friends so we've followed suit. Some still give £10, a few £20 and one of my son's friends gave him £40 plus a gift! But I'd definitely say £15 is average here now (mixed/middle income area of Greater London).

£20 is far too much. £5 or £10 is fine.

£10 is plenty! £5 would be fine.

I wouldn't give money to that age, but if I did, for a class birthday, £5 is enough.

Why are you giving cash? We've not got to that stage yet and my eldest is nearly 10.

Don't put money in at this age. A book and some sweets!

£5 and some sweets to unwrap

I live in South London and I've noticed in recent years that the going rate seems to be £20 for 10-12 year olds. But if they are much younger then I think £10 is acceptable. Alternatively get a toy/Lego set type present but include a gift receipt.

I used to just put £5 in a card for class parties, at that age there’s usually 1 a month at least!! I used to do best friends £10 but now they are teens best friends get £20 spent on them

I was going to say a river. I'd be a little embarrassed if you spent £20 on my primary school kid, I'd think that's more from an Aintie or something

I would be horrified if any of me be had received £20 at primary!

I always avoid money in cards for young children- can never guarantee the parents won’t pocket it/decide how it’s spent.

DD gets mostly presents, the few that did cash did either £5 or £10, £10 was the norm.

Presents ranged from £5-15 on average, I only know the price because I had bought same type of gifts myself. I usually spend up to £10 (but use offers so often costs less) for class friends, up to £25 for her very best friends. I keep a small stock of generic presents in, using offers like 2 for £15 at Argos. For kids we know well DD chooses something.

£20 cash is unnecessary, £10 absolutely fine and still generous.

At 5 yes I very much decide how it’s spent, she doesn’t toddle off to town on her own! I help her spend it though, but I won’t let her buy anything age inappropriate or something we already have a million of (like bags and hair clips, she has 11 bags she does not need more).

I have a £5 limit for school friends. They're year 5.

They are 10 years old. I've spent years going out looking for presents and this year I thought the kids would be able to spend the money as they wish.

I think Im going to go for £15. Seems reasonable considering the cost (per head) of these parties!

DD got 75% gifts and 25% cash for her 6th birthday from friends. The mix was great because she saved the cash for a couple months and once she’d used all her gifts lots could buy a couple of things and spread it out.

All those that gave cash gave £10.

I’ve noticed birthday parties near Christmas tend to get cash more than gifts.

A tenner is absolutely fine. And i'd rather this in a card so the kid can buy something decent if they get money from a few friends, rather than loads of under £10 pressies that are pretty rubbish.

And what makes you think that parents will let them play freely with every gift they receive? Class party for lower primary age is usually 30 children - I don’t know of parents who have space for more than 30 gifts overnight. The majority ask children to pick their favourites to open and then do something else with the rest

South-east here. About half the class gave money or vouchers (state junior school) last year, mostly 15 or 20, a couple of 10s.