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 think that £10 is generous. I certainly wouldn't expect people to spend any more than that (unless they are close family, and even then I generally only go up to £15).

this is not something you can discuss on as open a forum as mumsnet. because it is sooo open, people from every part of the economic scale are there. in some places, social groups, no presents at all is the norm. in others five pounds, in others ten, in others, it s all about keeping up with the joneses.
some places a few kids at home, cake, jammie dodgers etc, and no party bags is acceptable. others, it has to be horse riding, or go karting parties, or whatever.....
all are normal and acceptable. you have to look around you, and at your own income to make decisions to suit your lifestyle.

very rarely would i spend more than a fiver,
i also like reductions and special deals

wouldn't expect anyone to spend more than this on my child

We make cards and wrapping paper. I spend about seven sounds, up to about ten. I buy a lot in TK Maxx so the money goes further. I tend to buy within reason what i think the child will like rather than spend a set amount. I buy quite e few books from TK Maxx as nice books can be very expensive.

KerryK

I would never bitch about another mum and how much they'd spent

..... unless she was a good friend of mine of course

I'm comfortable spending £10 on a class mate, but I also like to shop for bargains too.

I'm like an elephant too ... never forgets what they get and who from ... and if my DC's get tat ... then I dont make the same effort for them next time

I am always amazed at the effort other mums go to when buying presents for dd. I would certainly never comment in a negative way about a present.

Fiver here too - £10 for a close friend. And quite frankly I couldn't give two hoots whether I can see people "eyeing up the cost" - I have better things to worry about than whether some mother thinks I'm tight.

I think £10 is quite generous.

I tend to spend £5 ish.

£5 to £10 is the norm here.

DD had her party last weekend and this seemed about the norm, with one or two spending more.

I only spend around a fiver. But I buy presents in the sales and stockpile them under the bed till I need them so it probably looks like I spent more.

£10?
I buy something that'll do from the pound shop!
I'm not joking either, I don't have £10 to spend and most parties DD has had invites to are whole class invites.
I'm probably looked at as the cheap one but I really don't care.
£10 for a random kid?

I always, always buy birthday child a pair of pyjamas, normally costs about a tenner including card and wrapping paper.

My daughter got lots of presents for her birthday, that she will never use.... as has so many toys etc. I have been known to give those presents ! and my daughter is only 12 months

I spend £5 to £10. Or the appearance of that, if I bought something in the sales or pound shop as I do tend to stock up on party prezzie tat when I see suitable items cheap.
Earlier this year someone bitched about me being a cheapskate over the present I took her daughter. Unfortunately she sent the text to ME by mistake! Good job I am about it!

Bet she'd wear PJ's though wouldnt she tallie?

T K Max, you can get a present that looks expensive for a fraction of the cost. Everyone wins!

£5. here as well, or less sometimes,

sometimes the party bags handed out have cost more than a fiver and i feel i don't really know why i bother,ridiculous. if that happens i spend less

The first party I had for ds a mother from his school put £5 in his card, he was really happy. Far better then loads of toys he wouldn't play with.

My average is probably £8, but bought in the cheap shop. Family is £15 and friends around £15 to £25 depending on who.

I spend £3-5 per child at school

Family = £10

Blimey... I spend £5 and get the children to make the card. I sometimes get my children to paint/draw on some plain paper to make the wrapping paper.

I never spend more than £5. Often less. Am clearly a cheapskate

£10 is plenty. I used to say £5 but have upped it to £7-ish as things have gone up.

H/ever I often buy eg 3 x action figures (Batman, Spiderman etc) from Toys r Us in 3 for 2 deal. Or of course Book People books and pad em out with little somethign else.

DS2 had b/day recently; sample gifts - lovely shirt; Dr Who game; action figure; nice Lego set. All lovely and I'm thinking (hoping) these cost < £10. Not that I would go round and check! But I would be embarrassed (and in fact have been now and then) if people have clearly spent more than that.

at posts indicating people do check prices! I would never do that!

Maybe it's true that you can't compare - I have a pal who spent £15 on something fora friend's 2yo child "well you can't get anything for less than that can you?" she asks me.

Errrm well yes actually! DS2 hasn't stopped playing with the Dr Who game and he loves all the action figures too.