How many presents do you give your DD/DS on their birthday?

[Mummygoesbananas]

My DD is 5 at the end of september and is having a small party with 5 friends at home. On previous yrs shes had quite a few presents (maybe 10) from us alone And a party with lots of friends, with bouncy castles expensive cakes etc. Well this year we just havent got the money. After posting on here I got some great ideas for a nice personal party at home. Well now im thinking about what we are going to get her for her birthday. I spoke to another mum and she said that she gives her DD's a choice of 'no party, big present' or 'a party, small present'. I thought that this sounds quite reasonable but im interested in what other people do. Thanks

Oh have had to post and run, but will check for posts later

I get them a present.

One (two at a push)

She has a choice, party or present. She has always chosen party

I thi k that's a great idea
this year we did no softplay hell party so dd got a sixty quid bike
I'd rather get a present than fork out for a shite party

I would rather have a great party that hold great memories than buy a present

My children are a little older - 7 and 9 - and we buy them something that they have asked for and we know they really want. If what they want is v cheap then we might buy a few "extras" to pad it out a bit. But if it is expensive then we just get that one thing. So, for example, this year, ds has just had a Nintendo DSi and a game.

DD's birthday is a couple of weeks after Christmas so we tend to take the opportunity to buy her whatever she has missed out on from her Christmas list. So, we might spend £50 on her but if she was desperate for a bike (and we think she should always have a bike) then we might go up to about £120.

To put it in context, if it helps at all, we spend about a quarter or a third of one days' household income on our dc birthday presents.

Do you actually work that out? How bizarre.

No of course not! Just worked it out as I was posting. I am speaking retrospectively as someone who has had a child's birthday in the last couple of days.

I was wondering, you do get some odd sorts on here...

You said it

Thank you all for posting. BigChris- im with you on the softplay parties! I know the kids love them, but im not keen.

My DD loves parties, and this year although its going to be smaller, I am trying to make it one that they'll remember!

I have just reserved 2 smallish presents that dont cost the earth, but I know she'll love. But am glad that I read all your comments because I was already going down my usual road of 'it doesnt look a lot, she'll be disappointed etc'. But I think thats it, 2 will do, and shes having a birthday t-party on her birthday midweek, then her actual party at the weekend after so I think thats plenty. Thanks again

We've never really done expensive for parties or for presents. DD1 was 5 last year and was desperate for a pink/purple bike with a seat on the back for her doll. We picked one up from eBay for £20 or thereabouts. That was her present, along with a few things such as stickers. She had a party for 9 friends but it was very simple with some sticking, gingerbread decorating and a homemade 5 cake. She loved the whole celebration and has asked for exactly the same for her 6th birthday (but with a number 6 cake instead).

One present on their birthday - 3 or 4 for Christmas - if they get a "big" birthday present - they only get 3 or 4 "small" presents at christmas - if they get a big Christmas present among their few - they get a small birthday present.

When I was 14 my parents decided for the first time that they would do the lump sum of cash - it was up to me if I wanted a party and/or present. I chose to do bowling, and keep the remainder to spend on my gift.

My parents were horrified to discover, I made the kids I invited pay for themselves to attend, and therefore got the party and kept all the money. I prefer to see it as using my initiative.

It is DD's 5th birthday tomorrow. She has various small presents. And will be having a soft play party next weekend .

One thing she has asked for is "some pretty, colourful flowers in my bedroom for when I wake up". So that will happen :)

cola - intiative that is !

dd1 is 5 on tues, he will get one pressie from us .

DS will be getting one small present from us this year, one from his siblings (DS2 and DD).

However we go to Center Parcs for his birthday so that costs quite alot, he is 10 and its his choice.

DD was 13 yesterday and Ds 15 last Monday. We have really had any set amounts. This year they have lots of bits and pieces. Ds got bits foe his camera because he 8s doing photography at school. DD got books dvds and Jonas tshirt . They had a jointparty today but it will probably be one of their last.

DD is 5 on Friday, we are having a small party at home on Saturday with about 8 or 9 friends, plus a birthday dinner with family on the Sunday (which my parents are paying for.) I have bought her a CD player plus a couple of audio books, a pop up tent and a box of lego, all of which are from amazon and cost around £50 in total.

HTH

Just to add, DD actually asked for a Nintendo DS and a unicorn for her birthday! Neither of which she will recieve (though my friend has bought her a set of toy unicorns) so I hope she isn't too disappointed when she sees what she's actually got!

I got DD (4) a doll, some clothes for it and some books for her recent birthday. And a couple of other tiny cheap things (beaded pouch for keeping hair bobbles in and a couple of Lego people). Total cost was about £90 which is quite a bit but the doll was expensive (but is really lovely and she will play with it a lot). Basically, my rule is one good big present that she really wants (big in terms of want not cost, although this year's was quite expensive) and a few small things that either go with the main present or are useful or go with other stuff that she has, like Lego or Playmobil.

She had other presents from family but it's up to them what they spend and how much they buy (although some of them choose to spend their money on quite peculiar things, IMO!)

My son's 8th birthday in a few days. I have got him:

some glow sticks (£10 for 100 - i would have brought him them anyways as he has one each night if he has been good)

a fractions calculator -(£20) dont ask !! he loves Maths (again would have brought it for him anyway)

A worm/rat thing attached to a ball that moves about !! I think it was about £10

I will also get him a CD, top trump cards, Gigantic map of the world and some sweets

party and present for around £20-30. Unless something that they need anyway, like a bike.

I usually buy my dd several gifts for her birthday and she gets a party too (the last one cost around £200). As I only have one child this is just a once a year expense - I don't think I would enjoy throwing parties quite so much if I had more than one to do each year!