How much Cash for teen Birthday gift?

[Katy Belle]

We have been living overseas and are now back in the USA, living in Oklahoma. I feel so out of touch with everything!

DS13 is invited to a friends Birthday Party this evening. I have no idea how much cash to give as a gift Where we were living kids all gave about $30, when they gave cash. That feels a bit high here, for some reason, but I have no frame of reference!

The Birthday boy is turning 13 and is a great kid! We can't think of anything to buy him though...he doesn't have an i-pod or listen to music. He is kind of outdoorsy, but we don't have a clue as to what he has or doesn't, as DS has not been to his house before.

So...what would you give? I know no one to ask here.

Thanks!

 

[powellrj]

I hate to be the first one to answer, because I know my answer is always on the low end of the scale.

I have 3 kids and most of the time their gift cards that they have gotten have been between 10-20 depending on how close they are. DD who is 14 went to a party a few weeks ago and gave a 15 gift card and said that what everyone gave.

 

[Poohforyou]

I'm in NJ and we give $20-25 for a birthday gift. The lower end for just a classmate and the higher end for a good friend. Usually when it's a good friend DD11 will pick out a few small things (like those shaped erasers) to go with the gift card which pushes the total cost up to about $30.

 

[HM]

I've always tried to give presents in the $15 range (looking for bargains at all times, keeping things on hand). I try to shy away from cash or gift cards, but once they get to high school, that's what kids want. I'd say $15-20.

 

[Katy Belle]

Thanks! I will see what others say!

DS11 is having a party here tomorrow! So one more day and I would have had a better idea!

 

[disneyred]

between 20-30.. depending on how close the friend is ...plus i like to add a little something on the side.. something cute but small for the girls... ie... bookmark for readers... candy for candy lovers.. etc..

 

[mjkacmom]

Here it's $20 for casual friend, $25 for good friend.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My mom does $1 per year, which is fun

 

[jen0610]

I hate to be the first one to answer, because I know my answer is always on the low end of the scale.

I have 3 kids and most of the time their gift cards that they have gotten have been between 10-20 depending on how close they are. DD who is 14 went to a party a few weeks ago and gave a 15 gift card and said that what everyone gave.

We are pretty much on scale with you. There are a few friends that the kids have had for years and we go a bit more for the 13th and 16th birthdays, but most of the time it is that 10-20 range.

 

[AustinTink]

Here it's $20 for casual friend, $25 for good friend.

That's how we roll.

 

[AustinTink]

My mom does $1 per year, which is fun

That's what my mom does too. Last year she turned 80, and we gave HER a dollar a year.

 

[Kellydelly]

I think a $20 bill is plenty.

 

[Cinderella94]

$20.

 

[shortbun]

My son and his friends stopped gifts when they were around 12 and before that most parties asked for donations for a specific charity(humane society, homeless family foundation, Heiffer Intl) instead of gifts. When my son buys a gift for a good friend, we normally get a gift card for Game Stop. If DS know what game the friend wants, sometimes we just get the game. If it's cash, I'd say a $20 would be fine.

 

[mamamary]

Here it's $20 for casual friend, $25 for good friend.

This is what is usually done around here too.