gave £10 on a games voucher to ds's friend as birthday gift but..

[essexgel]

Ds went to a friend's birthday tea and asked the parents what would be of interest as a gift. Bought £10 games voucher as this has been the unspoken agreed limit the children receive.
Had my DS birthday, took 5 friends go-karting. When he opened his cards he has received £15 cash, also £15 on games cards.

Wasn't sure what thread to post , not so much am I being unreasonable...as am I a meanie??!!

No. I give £10 too.

£10 seems definatly enough for a child. You're not a meanie

i give 10 pound doesnt make you mean some people may have there own limit but doesnt make what you give less appreciated by whoever is receiving it

I think £10 is the max however it seems to have increased. Not sure if DS received more as we drove them to go-karting? and he friend's party was a tea at the house. Just feel mortified that £15 was given. Should I tell the Mum that £15 was unnecessary and offer £5back?

I think £10 is the max however it seems to have increased. Not sure if DS received more as we drove them to go-karting? and he friend's party was a tea at the house. Just feel mortified that £15 was given. Should I tell the Mum that £15 was unnecessary and offer £5back?

no. they wanted to give 15 - so dont mention it. I sometimes give £5 but would be pissed off if anyone thought i was mean.

BUT am I mean though?

said in catherine tate 'lauren' voice!

I found that when the parties moved from being whole class parties to being just a few friends entertained at a more expensive activity, vouchers/cash etc went up to £15 rather than £10.

I wouldn't think any gift given was 'mean' though!

thanks

i do spend on what i think is nice for the child and according to how friendly my dc are with them.

If i see something that is really nice and right up their street so to speak It wont bother me how much I spend.

If its just a child in the class who is more of an aquaintance that best friend then its around a fiver. As you say when they are whole class parties and happeing every week, can be quite expensive!

I wish a handbook came with this stuff! He is my DS1 who was 9 yesterday, 1st child.Thanks everyone!Will be more in the loop with ds2!

I must be really mean. I'd spend £10 on a best friend; £7.50 is the max for a classmate. I usually spend around £7 though...can't get much for less than that, though I do tend to trawl bargain shops to increase the inherent value of the gift. I also buy from the States every few months, so often have something unique to give.

I think of myself as careful, rather than mean

DD2 has a lovely friend with loaded parents who regularly spent £30 plus on dd2. I can't so stick to the tenner - isn't it an unspoken rule that you just do what you can afford? I hope so, but now I feel guilty!

I tend to do £20 gift cards, but I have 2ds's that are almost always invited to parties together.

On the odd occasion when only 1 has been invited I've done £10.

ds1 had his party yesterday and most of his vouchers/cash were £10 and one was £15. He is equally pleased with them because together they mean he can buy the game he wants for his ds.

I have always been dead tight careful & only ever gave £5, so DS2 would add another £5 from his wages (this was for teenagers obv, but they are Y11 now & tend to go out for meals & pay for themselves so I'm off the hook )

I have a limit of £10 per gift - if i see something and know the child likes that character or type of toy and it is slightly over then i will get it but as a rule no more than £10.

How much I spend depends on how close a friend they are, and what I am buying too. And I look for bargains where I can.

School friends - around £5-£7
Closer friends - £10-£15
Close family children (i.e. my niece) - £15-£20