Present etiquette help please

[sunnydelight]

HELP! DS2 has been invited to a joint b'day party for three schoolfriends. One is a friend of his (and his mum handed me the invite), I vaguely know one of the others by sight and I haven't a clue who the third is, but the invite said from x,y and z. I am not mean but there is no way I am buying "proper" presents for three kids for one party - I would usually spend £7-10 (they're 7). Split my budget in three and they all get crap. My initial thought was buy a decent present for his friend and get something really nominal for the others, is that horrible?

I'd buy a present for the child he knows and who really invited him tbh. The others will have plenty of pressies from their invited guests.

I agree with Aero.

They're probably sharing a party to save on costs, not to get more pressies.

If you really wanted to acknowledge the others, a card would suffice.

I have thought of party sharing (though never done it yet) and would never expect an extra present from friends of whoever we were party sharing with iyswim.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I objected to a joint party - makes lots of sense for parents - just any time I have been in this situation before the parents always made it really clear who was inviting whom to solve the whole present dilemna. This is a newish school for DS2 so I don't want to get it wrong!

maybe just a bag of sweets each for the other two?

Cross posted - thanks Aero, cards would mean they would at least be handed something.

Was thinking sweets SSSandy but thought if I mentioned the dreaded S word on here someone would suggest I gave them an organic nutritional treat instead

DD and her friend from nursery had a joint party recently. Most gave a present to either DD or the other boy, some a small present to each (if their child was friends with both)

Where we don't know the other kid, we don't usually buy a present. Not sure anyone will really care. Joint parties have a big pile of presents, and it's hard for them to know or care. Not getting a present from someone you don't know, and wasn't expecting to give, is unlikely to upset the other kid.

My ds1 went to a party for twins last week. I bought a smaller present for each. I went slightly over my normal budget for a present. I think you are better off getting something small for the other two at least unless you know what some other mums are doing.

I once gave a joint party for dd and a friend; mainly a shared guest list, but a few were invited by just one of the girls iyswim. I'd have been really surprised to have received presents from the children who were just friends with dd's friend and not with dd.

I would just buy a proper present for your ds's friend; you could just send a card to the other boys, maybe with a sweet inside, or one of those pencils with their names on (if they're called something mainstream!)from Woolies if that would make you feel more comfortable.

Buy a proper present for the friend and a pack of felt tips or similar for the others. So present of £7 (low end of your budget) and two packs of pens will bring you up to £10 9top of your budget).

I personally would only buy a present for the child my child knew - I'm sure if it was the other way round you'd be saying 'this is from x - who's that?' I don't think the others would expect a present if you didn't know them.