Present etiquette dilemma

[melpomene]

I'm friends with the mum of dd1's best friend and we buy presents for each other's dds plus the younger siblings. She recently said to me "Let's just spend a couple of pounds on small presents for the children this yeat. I've only spent a couple of pounds on your two." Which would be absolutely great/no problem, except that I'd already ordered the presents for her dd and ds, spending about £7 each. (They're from Amazon, so I'll have to pay postage if I return them.) I chose the items becaue I thought her dcs would really like them and there isn't anyone else I could give them to.

So, do I:
(a) Tell my friend I'd already bought presents, and risk having her feel that she should've spent more even if I tell her not to
(b) Return/stash the presents I've bought, and buy cheaper presents instead
(c) Give the presents anyway, and lie that they just cost a couple of pounds (not sure how plausible that would be, because one of them has an RRP of £11 although I got it for £7).

What would you do?

just give them anyway and say nothing

I would give them anyway...you have them, they will make her DC happy

This year I'd d (a), just saying sorry I'd already bought them, but good idea -w ill do that next year (i.e. spend less)

I think it depends on your friend. If receiving these presnts from you would make her feel bad when money is tight for her, then hoard them for the next present opportunity that presents itself. Otherwise if she will simply be heart warmed by your generousity (sp?), then give her them telling her you bought them ridiculously cheap before she had mentioned the cutting down, and that you will stick to it rigidly with her next year.

Presents are a minefield aren't they!

Just give them. If she says they are more expensive than hers say they were a good deal.

Could you not just keep them and use them as b/day presents for their next birthdays?

Well, it's funny how these things work out. I just got round to sorting through all the presents I've bought from Amazon, and found that the book I bought for friend's ds was damaged, so I can get a refund on that without having to pay postage, and then get something cheaper. And I shall save dd's friend's present for her birthday as Laura suggested.