How much for a child's birthday?

[CandleontheWater]

So, my DS is about to turn two, and incidentally so are all of his friends. His playgroup, gymboree class and music class are all organized by age, so pretty much every kid we know is having a birthday within the next few months. This means lots of birthday parties, and lots of birthday presents.

We have four birthday parties coming up, and more to come and I feel like I'm going to go broke buying presents for everyone. How much would you consider to be a good amount for a two year old's birthday gift. I don't want to be cheap, but at the same time, I feel like it is getting a little crazy!

I do have a birthday party planned for my DS, but I put "No Gifts Please" in the invitation. I certainly don't want to put anyone on the spot to buy my DS a present, especially when he already has lots of toys, and doesn't get it yet anyway. I really wish more parents would do the same.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I'd say we average about $20 for friends and more for family.
It certainly does add up!

 

[mjkacmom]

$20 - and the reason why a lot of people don't put "no gifts" is because most will bring gifts anyway, making those who followed the instructions feel awkward. Birthday parties should be part of the budget - wait until he gets to school! I keep a stack of $20 Target gc's.

 

[happygirl]

15 Is the tops for me

 

[ancestry]

When I was in your position I actually stopped my children (twins) from going to birthday parties because of the cost of gifts. I felt $15-$20 from each child was appropriate. With twins that meant it was $30-$40 per party. When the parties were coming at us at 2-3x per month I said enough and unless it was someone that we were very close to they didn't go anymore. Money was tight back then and I couldn't afford $100+ per month on birthday gifts for people that were casual acquaintances.

 

[4under4]

We had this same situation when DS#1 was little... then almost all of us from playgroup/gymboree had #2 about the same time and the problem multiplied.

After the first round of parties, we all agreed to have a "your presence is the only present necessary" on the invites, and if a gift was given it was in the $5 range.

But outside this limited group of friends, we always give in the $15-20 range... though BFs & family get $20-25.

 

[kisaacs]

We usually spend $20 and we buy 5-10 boy gifts and 5-10 girl gifts at a time so we don't have to keep going shopping!

 

[brookmey]

$10-$15 is what we spend on friends. We have 11 nieces and nephews, so we simply can't afford to spend as much on friends. A lot of times when my kids were the preschool age I would take advantage of BOGO sales, like the ones TRUS has with Little Tykes toys. I'd get something for one of my kids for their b-day or Christmas and then save the other toy for the friend. This was the only way I was able to afford gifts for all the parties they were invited to. When DD was 3, she got invited to 12 b-day parties. Between nieces and nephews and friends, we would've gone broke just on b-day presents alone if not for the BOGO sales or Buy 1, get 1 50% off sales.

Smart shopping or buying ahead (if you know you'll be invited to a party) when you see sales can save you money.

 

[CandleontheWater]

$20 - and the reason why a lot of people don't put "no gifts" is because most will bring gifts anyway, making those who followed the instructions feel awkward. Birthday parties should be part of the budget - wait until he gets to school! I keep a stack of $20 Target gc's.

Oh gosh, I certainly didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, I just didn't want anyone to feel like they have to bring a gift, or not come because it is getting to be too much with all the birthdays.

I just want Everett's little friends to come because he enjoys playing with them, and because he'd have fun to have them all over.

 

[amylynne01]

I would do $15. If both of my kids are invited to a party, I'd still stick to $15 per birthday kid. So if they were invited to a twins' party, I'd bring 2 $15 gifts that are from both of my girls.

 

[Kat&Dom]

A tip that a friend gave me prior to having my son was to catch boxing day sales and buy extras to give as gifts throughout the year so whenever I am out shopping, if a see a great deal on something that I know my son is into, I pick up extras for him to give at birthday parties. It is so nice if you get invited to a last minute birthday party that you just go into the gift drawer and pick out a gift and not have to run out and go shopping.

My son had his 6th birthday last month and when people asked me what to get for him, I gave gift ideas of items in the $10-$15 range and for some that I knew didn't have time to go shopping, I told them that a $10 gift card to Toys R Us or Wal-Mart would thrill my son. I don't think that parents need to go overboard on birthday items for other children - with my son's really close friends, I might spend $20-$30 but for other children, typically I keep it in the $10-$15 range.

My habit of checking the clearance shelves to see if there are any deals is really paying off for our trip to Disney in 2 weeks. I was able to get Buzz Lightyear Digital Camera Blasters (so cute) for $9 for my son and his best friend. I was also able to get Light McQueen video camera's for $11. These items will thrill the boys at Disney and be something unique which would cost a fortune in the park if there were even available. Yesterday, they had Halloween costumes on for 70% off, I picked up a Fairy Costume and Princess Costume for my friend's daughter for Disney - they cost $6 each plus I was able to get Tiara's that light up for $1.49. I also got my son a super cute Pirate Costume for $6. All the kids will have special items for Disney that didn't break the budget.

 

[scrapquitler]

So, my DS is about to turn two, and incidentally so are all of his friends. His playgroup, gymboree class and music class are all organized by age, so pretty much every kid we know is having a birthday within the next few months. This means lots of birthday parties, and lots of birthday presents.

We have four birthday parties coming up, and more to come and I feel like I'm going to go broke buying presents for everyone. How much would you consider to be a good amount for a two year old's birthday gift. I don't want to be cheap, but at the same time, I feel like it is getting a little crazy!

I do have a birthday party planned for my DS, but I put "No Gifts Please" in the invitation. I certainly don't want to put anyone on the spot to buy my DS a present, especially when he already has lots of toys, and doesn't get it yet anyway. I really wish more parents would do the same.

For friend parties I always limited it to $10-$15 tops. A BFF or my good friends kids might get a little more for their gift, like $20, but for the standard classmate gift, I limited it.

For those two year olds: buy books. You can easily get a nice book in the $5-$10 range, esp. if you go to B&N (or an older child's scholastic book fair!) and look in the clearance/gifty stuff section.

A good idea for you to prepare for this in the future: after the holidays and throughout the year, when you see something that is a great sale and age appropriate for your child and his/her peers: buy a bunch and put them in a closet or drawer or storage bin somewhere. When you have a party to go to, grab a gift from your stock of sale items.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We limit to no more than $15, but aim for $10.

As for No gifts pleased--the one time I saw this on an invitation, I honored it. We were the only on to NOT bring a gift. So it really doesn't help. If you wish to limit gifts, limit the guests. The "No Gifts" thing is nice in theory, but people will feel shame if they don't bring a gift. This has been discussed on the DIS before and it was surprising the number of people who would ignore the request.

 

[jessica52877]

$5-10 for those types of friends in my opinion. I am a thrifty shopper so often my gift would be valued at more. Once DS got to school then more like $10-15.

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

My DD14 usually gives a $25 gift card. Usually by the time they get to this age we are only buying for close friends. My DS3 usually gives a gift in the $10 to $15 range. He usually gets invited to more kids birthdays and it doesn't seem like it takes as much money to make an impression when they are younger.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I try to hit around $12-15 for kids' birthdays. Also, I try to avoid doing every single party my son is invited to. Between school and church, he has a lot of friends! We often go to the church friends' parties (kids he's known for his entire life) and skip the school friend parties.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We do 20.00 per child for friends and 30.00 for family and I agree with others that said if more than one of my children is invited then each will send a gift.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think it is so kind of you to think of others where gifts are concerned but really it does put guest in an awkward position especially if you had attended their child's party and brought a gift. I would consider changing that if the invites have not already gone out. If someone ask for a gift suggestion, you can say, oh you really do not need to bring a gift but if they press, suggest a few moderate priced items.

As for gifts, after two boys, 15 years apart I have learned a few tricks. I buy items on sale that would cost a lot more and put them back for gifts. Ds is 5 and right now I have a huge bag of the very cool character t-shirts that come with the themed toy. They had been 20.00 and I found them for 2.47. I also found the nerf guns at a super low price and stocked up on them. Right now, boys get a shirt and a nerf gun. A 30.00 gift for about 6.00 or less. I also have books, and tons of summer stuff I will use in the spring.

Black Friday is a GREAT time to build your supply. When my older DS was little, I bought about 10 preschool board games for 1.97 each!! They were normal about 10.00-12.00!

DS 5 just had his party and got about 30-40 gifts. Most of his non related friends spent about 15.00. It ranged from a 5.00 bill to a huge remote control truck that was like 50.00. That is way out of the norm. here and I have no idea why the mom spend that kind of money. We of could thanked both the same. We have found whatever the trend starts the year, it continues the whole year. It is going to be the year of parties here too!
I would be so sad if a child missed out on my party just because of a gift and if I EVER think money is an issue, I would stress to PLEASE come anyway!

 

[TosaTrio]

I spend around $20 a little
more or less depending on how close of a friend the child is. Like MSSANDRA I stock up around Black Friday and the Holiday sales. That way I can save a little bit or buy the child a little more.

 

[kirstenb1]

20 bucks. But I do try to stock up on gift bags, and sometimes cards, because last minute impulse purchases can add up.