How much do you spend on kids birthday presents? (inspired by Piglet)

[rbuzzotta]

When any of your children go to a birthday party, how much do you spend on the child' s gift???

I spend anywhere from $15. to $25. It usually depends on how close the friend is to my child and where the party is. If the party is at a place that costs around $12. per child, i like to at least cover that and then some!!!

 

[CamColt]

Close friends usually about 20.00-25.00, but if its someone I dont really know(like someone DS had known for a month before getting invited to his party) about 10.00-15.00.

 

[Piglet]

OMG, this is so cool. First thread I ever inspired!!!

Now that's out of the way.... I usually spend between 15 and 25 depending on how close we are to the familiy and usually 25 for nephews (no neices yet!!)

Piglet

 

[CamColt]

Oh, I should have said for my nieces I spend about 100.00 on each.

 

[aprincessmom]

$20-25 per child for friend or neighborhood kid parties. For family members (nieces, nephews, cousins) I spend more. Closer to $50-75.

 

[disykat]

Warning - I'm opinionated on this topic!

Yikes! I still try to keep it under $10 - sometimes up to $15. And I even get irritated when people spend big money on my kids! Am I high enough on my high horse for you?

It frustrates me to no end to hear friends complain about how much "stuff" their kids have that doesn't get played with and then watch them go out and buy them tons of gifts just so they'll "have a great day". I hope I'm teaching my kids that what makes life special isn't how much stuff you have!

I figure most people fall in two categories. The "haves" (I consider myself a have) who need to work to keep their kids grounded and the "have nots" who shouldn't be spending their money on junk that may not get played with. Either way, I like to see the spending kept down.

 

[rbuzzotta]

disykat, I do agree with what you are trying to say. I just feel that I have to "cover" the cost of the party (my child's portion).

You can stay on your high horse if you want (LOL). I did ask for opinions............all opinions!!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by disykat
Warning - I'm opinionated on this topic!

Yikes! I still try to keep it under $10 - sometimes up to $15. And I even get irritated when people spend big money on my kids! Am I high enough on my high horse for you?

It frustrates me to no end to hear friends complain about how much "stuff" their kids have that doesn't get played with and then watch them go out and buy them tons of gifts just so they'll "have a great day". I hope I'm teaching my kids that what makes life special isn't how much stuff you have!

I figure most people fall in two categories. The "haves" (I consider myself a have) who need to work to keep their kids grounded and the "have nots" who shouldn't be spending their money on junk that may not get played with. Either way, I like to see the spending kept down.

Bravo! I am the same way!

I don't like when people spend that much on my kids also!

I'm trying to teach my kids that happiness does not lie in material things.

But for example, my DD went to two class birthday parties in two weeks. The kids invited all the girls to the party. My DS and DD were both invited to a party as well.

I went last year and bought a ton of Disney store things when they were on 50%/ 75% off. It was things like princess tea set, Princess craft sets, paint sets, buzz Lightyear squirt gun, etc...

They have been birthday gifts for 6 months now.

 

[Wendy]

I generally feel the same way as disykat and try to keep it around $10 - $15. I generally throw pretty good birthday parties and would never expect the kids coming to my kids' parties to cover their costs with gifts. In fact, I'd personally rather them bring very small gifts. My kids have wayyyy too many toys that they never play with and I have to go through their closests at least once a year and get rid of stuff. I know most of my kids' friends have wayyy too many toys also.

Now, my 2nd grader go invited to a party tomorrow that I'm in a real quandry about. It's for a child on his cheerleading squad, and the parents are having it catered at a local Italian restaurant tomorrow evening where they've rented out a large party room. They've invited ALL of the kids on the cheerleading squad PLUS all parents and siblings, PLUS a few school friends and local relatives. I'm guessing there will be 75 + people there and I know it's costing a fortune. I've actually been debating on whether to bend my own rule considering that they're feeding my whole family dinner tomorrow night and spend a little more on the child's birthday gift.

Personally, I think it's pretty over the top to have a child's birthday catered at a restaurant for that many people, but I do really like the little girl and her parents so we'll go.

So, how much would y'all spend in a case like this? I need suggestions quick because I have to get the present today. I've been putting it off and putting it off. LOL!

 

[aprincessmom]

When I call with my RSVP I always ask the parent if they have any suggestions for a gift. That way I know we'll give them something they want or need.

If they have no suggestions, Iask DD what she'd like to give them...she's the one that spends all the time with them so she has definite ideas of what they like and don't like. I give her the spending limit and she gets to pick out the gift.

Worked fine so far.