Birthday Presents - Obligated?

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Do you buy a birthday present for a child if your child cannot attend their party?

What if this child came to your kid's birthday party . . .?

Let's assume that this is not a good friend (and the parents are not good friends) nice folks, but merely school buddies.

 

[mjkacmom]

Nope - absolutely not. The only time is if it's a really good friend of your child, that attends your child's party every year, and your child attends that child's party every year - not just a classmate, but a close friend.

 

[mommasita]

Not unless they are family or good friends.

ETA: I just read your description, and no I would not.

 

[NAB]

No I do not buy a gift if my child can't attend a birthday party.

It would be different if it was family.

 

[Allison]

no

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

For just a school acquaintance, no. The ONLY exception to that is if I have replied that DS will attend and then DS is sick the day of the party. Then we do give a gift.

 

[ckoncurat]

No, unless its a good friend OR something comes up last minute and we have already bought the gift.

 

[BirdLegsRed]

I wouldn't.

 

[RadioNate]

not in that situation, if we RSVP'd yes and then had a problem (sick, serious punishment) then we would still give the gift.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

No. Nor would I want anyone to buy my kids a gift if they didn't attend. Heck, the past 2 parties we did charitable donations of your choice. I know of no child in this town that wants for anything, mine included.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Never have, although this year I realized there was a girl who came to every one of my DD's birthday parties and always brought a gift. I realized that she never has a birthday party (I assume because she is the oldest of 5). This year she finally had a party (12 years old) and I felt so bad for not ever having bought her a present before. This girl has been to at least 4 or 5 of DD's parties. I made sure I bought something extra for her and apologized to her and her mom.

 

[mumto3girls]

I am with those that say for family, good friends, neighbors--yes, just someone from school that we aren't good friends with--no. also agree with that if we rsvp'd and then couldn't go due to illness I would--the only time that happened with us we had already bought the gift.

 

[daisyduck123]

I have several times, but not lately.

I have done this because I was brought up that way. I remember my mom ALWAYS buying a present for the kid, even if we couldn't make it to the party.