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Original poster

How much do you spend on presents for children's parties?

38 replies

Bomper · 04/02/2006 20:21

I usually spend around a fiver. However, after dd1's party today I feel rather embarrassed, as she received some which were obviously a lot more expensive. First of all I was thinking 'Oh, well maybe it was an unwanted present', but there were just too many of them for it to be that!! Am I a skinflint or were dd's friends parents just extravagant?!

OP posts:
Bozza · 04/02/2006 20:28

Usually £5-6, but if it is a close friend/I am friends with the mother I will go up to £10. Today DS went to a party and I bought two Lego Racers that were £2.99 each. The previous party he went to was a classmate but I am friends with his mother and the boys have known each other since they were 6 months and I spent £8.99 on a Horrid Henry book and CD. Before Christmas he went to a joint one for 3 girls and I bought bead sets from M&S on 3 for 2 at £5 each.

Skribble · 04/02/2006 20:31

Agree my limit is a fiver. Sometimes I give stuff that I get in sales after christmas so it may look like I have spent more. Stick to your limits, my kids have had presents ranging from an 89p box of sweets to £16 bratz dolls (I hope it was in the sale). I don't judge people on what they give my son and I don't spend more jsut because they might have otherwise it just gets out of hand.

WideWebWitch · 04/02/2006 20:41

Fiver, agree. have sometimes gone to 8 or something in last min panic desperation

lucy5 · 04/02/2006 20:45

The going rate here is about €20, about £15, it's costing me a blooming fortune.

cod · 04/02/2006 20:46

Message withdrawn

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 04/02/2006 20:49

£10. £7-8 if I see something good. £12 if I either see something I think they'll particularly like or if it's the only thing I think they'll like. when dd has had parties I would say that virtually every present she had was within this range.

amIbored · 04/02/2006 20:51

always aim for £10 but keep an eye out for 3 for 2 offers and keep them in the cupboard until needed.

DS got a present that he already has, have kept it to one side to give to the next person

cutekids · 04/02/2006 20:55

try to buy in woolies (3 for 2) !!!and on speaking to some of the mums, that's what even the "posher" ones do too! In Ethel Austins-just before Christmas-I bought some "Bratz"purses. They'd gone down from £5 to - honestly! - 75 pence! Bought the lot! Claires Accessories is another one. They always have a sale selection of "any 10 items for a fiver". i've got loads of this stuff stashed in my wardrobe. Only problem is, my kids keep finding the stuff and I end up letting them have it!!!

Original poster
Bomper · 04/02/2006 20:56

I have done that on a number of occasions - if dd will let me that is!!

OP posts:
cutekids · 04/02/2006 21:01

one time - when we were particularly skint - i bought a really cheap but " nice looking " pressie for my son's friend's birthday. couldn't believe it when he came home...his "goodie bag" must've been at least 4 times the price i'd spent! (his father owns a couple of nightclubs in our area, so presume they could afford it...?!) we were very embarrassed though and that's what taught me to think about other people too...i'm sure £5-7 is adequate for anyone.

KBear · 04/02/2006 21:17

I have bought more expensive presents for DD's best friends (who all have Jan and Feb birthdays) in the January sales. I spent around £5 and get a £10-15 present for my money. I think alot of people do that, and 3 for 2's.

My DD's party tomorrow - been making cakes all day - am knackered! Am excited though, if a little stressed - got 26 girls coming!

Sallystrawberry · 04/02/2006 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cutekids · 04/02/2006 21:21

quite adequate sallystrawberry!!!

jenkel · 04/02/2006 21:25

No more than £10

FrannyandZooey · 04/02/2006 21:30

Bomper, the same thing happened to me last year! I was spending around £5 per child and then ds got bought loads of quite expensive things. This year, I have done what others mention above, and stocked up on things that were really good value - some book and cd sets from The Red House, sale stuff from Woollies etc. Your dd's friends' parents may have done the same of course, so don't feel bad. Hope she had a good day

Dannie · 04/02/2006 21:38

£7 is my target, which buys a medium-sized lego set or a good-sized water pistol or whatever.

Original poster
Bomper · 05/02/2006 13:45

Oh, another thing I meant to add, while I appreciate any money spent on my dd, I thought it was rather unthoughtful that a couple of people just shoved a fiver in her card, rather than get a pressie. I know it means she can get what she wants, but I think it looks like they can't be bothered. Maybe I am just a bit sensitive!!

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soapbox · 05/02/2006 13:56

£10 for DS's parties (most are still whole class parties so loads to buy for) and £15 for DD. DD's parties tend to be only 5-6 children now and are much closer friends. So we spend a little bit more. Usually a £10 book voucher and small present. Lots of mums at the school got together to decide that book vouchers were a good idea - to avoid the mountain of plastic crap. So far it seems to be working well!

geekgrrl · 05/02/2006 14:23

a fiver, will go up to 7 if it looks worth it and the child's a good friend.
TBH - most of the stuff my children get is what I consider complete tat, and as other people might feel the same about what we give, I don't want to spend lots. Also, every single child I know seems to have their own personal toy mountain. Don't particularly want to add to it.

TinyGang · 05/02/2006 14:30

£8-£10 including the card. If I can find a suitable reduced bargain, I'll get that, but I like it to look worth what I would normally spend.

If twins are both invited to a party they take a present each of around this value too.

paolosgirl · 05/02/2006 14:37

£8-10 here also, inc card and wrapping paper. I'm also a bit at how much some parents spend!

hana · 05/02/2006 14:38

not more than a fiver

gomez · 05/02/2006 14:42

£10 to £15 usually. DD1 will make a card usually. We get presents from about a fiver to around £20. DD usually picks something she thinks her friend would like so that tends to push the price up a wee bit - she is very keen on tat from Accessorise at the moment.

hana · 05/02/2006 14:44

gomez, that must get expensive!!

gomez · 05/02/2006 17:59

It can do Hana - much managing of expectations required, DDs expectations I should add, of what she thinks is a reasonable present for her friends. When she is chosing a gift for a boy thou' I could show her a McDonalds freebie and that would be sufficient . No glitter factor involved in there.