to think 10 pounds is a reasonable amount for B'day party present or am I being a cheap skate?

[NicMac]

I'm just shocked by how much people spend on presents for parties - I have 3 DCs so take the appropriate number of gifts. However, was at a party today and felt very mean - isn't 10 pounds per child (as a rough guide) about right or am I completely out of touch?

I don't spend that much for a school child party.

it's £5 to £10 round here

I completely agree with tmmj. £5 here (or less if I can get away with it)

IMO it is the thought that counts. Seriously.

If that's £10 or £2, people (ie the parents) should be grateful

Gosh I spend £5 tops really. Can't afford to spend a tenner on the whole class plus other friends. And that's just with 1 dd at the moment....

I spend between £5 - £10 but do try to buy stuff in the sales so can sometimes seem more generous than I am!

Yes, completely agree about the thought but still you can see people eyeing up the cost. Am going to ignore it all in future and just get something I think they will like even if it is a tad cheaper

I would spend around £7 or £8 or £10 for a particularly close school friend

My hubby gets a bit annoyed if we spend a lot as our 2 school age kids are always going to parties and our children don't want parties!

£5 tops. One year people spent not more than £3 on my dd2.

about £5-£10 here but i try and include the paper and card in that. a card costs about £1-50-£2-00 on its own anyway.

i managed to find a gorgeous jersey dress (the sort you wear over jeans) in the m&s sale for £3 reduced from £16 and bought it for a girl in dd's class who has a snobby mum.

she thanked me over and over again for it saying how much she loved it and added that someone had given her daughter a t-shirt from next "that only cost £5 tut tut" i fel very smug

"you can see people eyeing up the cost"

rank, isn't it?

do people seriously get het up about amounts spent on party presents when their children are likely to be invited to shed-loads of parties each year?

£5, I go up to £10 for close friend

I spent £14 the other day . But that was for a joint party so 2 gifts. Party was for DS's 2 best mates, who also have 2 of the friendliest & most conscientious (sp?) school mums I've met (they've done favours for me, & always reciprocate playdates). Plus it's only the 2nd party he's been invited to all year and one of the mums was saying how dear the party was (laser party).

But usually I stick to £4-£7 budget.

Cheeky cow, kerryk !

I spend various amounts as DS only has 7 class members so school friend parties are few and far between - usually let DS choose the boys presents and I pick the girls. Most was about £15 but usually £12.

I've seen kids open the pressies at parties (if in their own home)

I never spend more than £5. Sometimes I cheat a bit by getting 3 for 2, or things in the sales. Perfectly adequate imo.

We have a fab thing going here. When it is a class party, a mum is nominated to collect fivers. Each child who gives has name added to collective card, and birthday child can end up with £140!!!!!
And that way we all give the same, no snobbery, no last minute panic when you realise the party is today, just get dressed and go.

I NEVER open pressies at party. Too much could go wrong including not knowing what came from who

Up to £10 maximum and that would be a voucher for 2 to Jamboray. We make our own cards and let the kids decorate brown paper for wrapping up presents, they love it and so do I.

good friends - 10-15

other parties - 5-10

£5 is my rough budget but I have been known to go up to £5.50 on occasions
You can get a lot for that if you shop well.