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Original poster

How much do you spend on presents for schoolfriends?

28 replies

eskimum · 30/03/2009 21:38

When DD went to preschool friends' parties I used to spend up to a fiver, but more if we were friends with the parents. She's now in year R and as her birthday was early in year only invited a couple of classmates, however I was really surprised that she was given presents by classmates who we scarcely know which cost up to £15 (and surprised cause kids at the school are from huge range of backgrounds, and lots not particularly well off). Now shes being invited to parties by schoolfriends I'm wondering will I look tight for just spending £4 - £5, or worse still my closing down sale bargains from Woollies??? It's complicated by the fact that since a lot of people don't let the kids open their presents at the party, you don't often see what others have bought.So, what do you spend?? And where do you shop for kids presents now Woollies has gone??

OP posts:
ForeverOptimistic · 30/03/2009 21:41

I spend around £3. I usually buy books in the sale or something from our local toy shop. Sainsburys and Tesco often have toys for under £5.

Mummyfor3 · 30/03/2009 21:43

DS1 and 2 just had their birthdays (P1 and nursery) and pressies were between 5 and 10 pounds.

A couple of people had given 10 pound notes enclosed in the birthday card which I find odd and did not particularly like.

tassisssss · 30/03/2009 21:44

We're really missing Woollies in our town too as there's really nowhere else to get toys. I spend £5-10 on a classmate, but I'm a cheapskate. I tend to buy up bargains and specialise in books, socks, t-shirts (ie not toys as such). I also often buy stuff in sales and put aside. Asda and Tesco can have some decent stuff.

tassisssss · 30/03/2009 21:45

For both his 4th and 5th b'day ds got a £10 voucher for woollies and he just loved it. I'd always been a bit about vouchers before that.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 30/03/2009 21:46

I tend to spend £5 - £7 but will try and find something suitable that's been reduced to that. Tesco, Asda, TK Maxx are good bets.

suwoo · 30/03/2009 21:46

For school friends between £5-£8. On my friends kids about £15.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 30/03/2009 21:46

I hope that was before Woolies shut down.

stealthsquiggle · 30/03/2009 21:46

Average £5 - £10 depending how good a friend and what I find. I shop online now! I am trying not to buy plastic crap bulky toys this year as everyone else must have as much of a surplus as us by now, I would think.

Hulababy · 30/03/2009 21:47

About £5, more for ones I know better such as children of friends. We don't tend to send gifts if we aren't going to a party for school friends, but sometimes may depending of circumstances.

I will look for bargains so sometimes end up with gifts that look more expensive than they really were.

Marthasmama · 30/03/2009 21:47

DH does it and spends between £10 - £15. He's usually such a tight arse but maybe he's being too generous with the pressies.

He too misses Woolies. There's nowhere quite like it is there?

TweetleBeetle · 30/03/2009 21:48

£5

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 30/03/2009 21:51

Around £5-7. I too am mourning Woolies.

ForeverOptimistic · 30/03/2009 21:52

I am feeling very mean now.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 30/03/2009 22:03

Don't feel mean. Kids are excited at getting anything and have no concept about how much something cost, they're just happy to have their friends come to their party. My DD would be very happy with a sparkly hairband or a Rainbow Fairy book.

Lilyloo · 30/03/2009 22:05

About £5 here

Original poster
eskimum · 30/03/2009 22:18

Well, this is my very first time starting a thread so how exciting to have all your replies and so quickly. Thank you all.

Hmm, so looks like I have been at the lower end of what most people spend! But good to know most of you are around £5 - 10.

ForeverOptimistic - I don't think you're mean (and if you are I am too), I feel embarrassed really when DD gets all those presents at a party and would prefer it if everyone spent a bit less, like StripeyKnickers says she'd be very happy with something very cheap and sparkly.

Thanks for the suggestions about trying the supermarkets now no Woolies, will give that a go.

OP posts:
twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 22:20

£7-£10 depending on the friend, but if I can pick up something for a few pound I will.

I used to love tkmaxx for presents but dont live near one now.

brimfull · 30/03/2009 22:21

5-10

treacletart · 30/03/2009 22:23

Normally around about £5 - I try to go for good books when I can. All of DS's classmates (Yr1) have been getting Mr Gum books recently.

stealthsquiggle · 30/03/2009 22:25

treacletart - I always think myself in circles on books:

  • this would be perfect for X
  • but given that it would be so perfect, there is a good chance that they already have it
  • a book you already have is not a great present
  • better get something else

(note - whenever I check, they never do have the book, so I don't know why I still do it)

brimfull · 30/03/2009 22:27

stealth-I always think they'll already have it too.
But I am a prolific book buyer and assume everyone is.

norkmaiden · 30/03/2009 22:30

preschool here - have had a rash of parties recently, and spent £7/£8 each, mostly at ELC.

treacletart · 30/03/2009 22:45

Great minds Stealth... Borders do gift receipts, and I always slip one in the front of the book just in case they have it already

Tommy · 30/03/2009 22:47

£5 max and sometimes a lot less if I have grabbed a bargain somewhere - Book People being one of my faves!

Original poster
eskimum · 30/03/2009 23:05

Well i think I'm going to be sticking at spending £5, maybe more if it's a particular friend, as adding it up over the year it can get to be a lot (not that we're hugely popular or anything but a few friends' children that DD is friends with and now she's making some new friends at school..), it really does add up doesn't it.

I'm glad that DD's class doesn't seem to go for the whole class party thing as wouldn't that get expensive?!!

Just glad my other DC is only 3 and has no friends yet.

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