How much for a child's birthday?

[MomToOne]

For parties where it is an invite-the-whole-class kind of thing, I keep it to about $10. If it was a more selective party, where only true friends are invited, then I up it to about $15. But I shop sales to make that money go as far as possible.

We hit a stage when my daughter was younger where we were literally running from one party to another on some days...

 

[Tinknalli]

We do $15-$20. My kids have had parties where children did not bring a gift up to gifts in the $30 range. One of my daughters friends whose parents do not want the gifts asks that people something for a donation to the animal shelter. They collect bags of food, toys and money for the animal shelter and they deliver them after the party. Another asks that kids bring pennies (or other money) and place it in a wishing well and they donate it to a pre decided charity. So there is an option between the gifts/no gifts.

 

[gillenkl]

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.

I have twins so I know exactly what you mean! My kids were getting invited to parties of kids they barely knew in their class. We finally said enough! We decided to forget the whole thing - around 1st grade we started just taking a family mini-vacation weekend during my kids birthday month. For example, this weekend, we're going to Williamsburg - we'll eat out, swim, etc....

OP - I would give no more than a $10 gift or gc.

 

[mombrontrent]

I usually spend between $20-25. That is the norm here I think. If i got something that was worth $20 for $5 I'd still buy something else or add a $10 gift card or something. I'd worry the kids parents also saw the sale and I'd look cheap.

 

[blessedby3]

I limit it to $10 for the kids friends. My middle two kids just give $10 cash or a $10 gift card. For my little one I try and find an actual gift to give for about $10. I also shop clearance sales and put the items up, so often I dont even have to go beyond my closet to find a gift

 

[sksjasams]

We always spent $10-15 when DS was this young. Even in kindergarten and 1st grade, some parents had parties and invited the whole class.

As the parties got smaller, the gifts got bigger. Instead of classmates/playmates, the parties started to be with actual friends, then smaller groups of friends, and now only really close friends at age 13.

So, for classmates $10-15 when young and friends when he was a little older $20. Now general friends $20-25 (if they have a party) and closest 4 friends $30-35 (whether they have a party or not).

Anyway, I don't think you need to go over $10-15 at this age.

 

[albertamommyof4]

I say $20 or less including the bag and card but truly i shop sales and around and i try to spend less. A great idea for parents is to do toonie parties, where the kids buy the birthday child a card and tape a toonie or 2 in the card( in U.S you could put a couple $1 bills in it , i am canadian) or you can say put double and half will go to charity or childs choice. This way it doesn;t make the ones who can;t afford it left out . If it is lots of kids you could just say $1.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I have twins so I know exactly what you mean! My kids were getting invited to parties of kids they barely knew in their class. We finally said enough! We decided to forget the whole thing - around 1st grade we started just taking a family mini-vacation weekend during my kids birthday month. For example, this weekend, we're going to Williamsburg - we'll eat out, swim, etc....

OP - I would give no more than a $10 gift or gc.

We do this too but would like to have school parties. Our DS's school forbids invitations from being handed out on school grounds so that basically makes it impossible to have a school party. So we go. We are leaving next weekend to Great Wolf Lodge for Ds's 7th birthday and will be in WDW for YDS's 3rd birthday. That is kind of a coincidence but it works Last year we went to Great wolf for DS's 2nd birthday and WDW for ODS's 6th LOL another coincidence but again it worked Great Wolf for us is the same price as a family party and a nice winter getaway.

 

[lisalis]

I have 3 boys ranging from 5 - 14 years old. For the younger one, we spend about $10 for casual friends. As the kids get older, they usually invite fewer friends. For my older ones, we usually give a $20 gift card. I know my kids have friends from a range of incomes and receive gifts/gift cards ranging from $10 - $25. They are grateful for any gifts their friends bring and understand everyone has different budgets My oldest is finally out of the birthday party range - whew. Unfortunately, there are many other expenses to replace the birthday party gifts!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I always try to keep to $10-15, but I am a bargain shopper so that probably equates to a "normal" person's $20-25 gift. I have a closet shelf dedicated to gifts.

 

[CaFeeney]

I hit the Target clearance (January and July) and stock up for the year. My DD (5) gets invited to a party at least twice a month and it helps to just go into the gift shelves in my storage room. I try to buy the kind of toys that would please most kids.
I have things like My Pretty Pony's, Littlest Pet Shop sets, found great Rapunzel dolls with the hair color changer, Hot Wheels Sets, and lots of Crayola arts and craft sets. I pay no more than $5 per gift but they are all worth about $15.
I also found holiday wrap at Target after Christmas that was 90% off and didn't look christmassy at all..blue, red, green striped paper.

 

[thebeesknees]

We do $15-$20. I try to shop carefully and so as I see things on sale or marked down that I know would make a good gift, I buy it and stick it in our gift closet. When the kids get an invitation, they go in and choose something out of my stash to give. Occasionally, if it is a really good friend, I will let them go shopping to choose something more personal, but usually stuff comes out of our gift closet. For instance, last week, our Target had a bunch of cool-looking Lego games marked 50-70% off, so I grabbed a few of those knowing that most of my son's 4th grade buddies are into Legos and it would make a pretty good gift. Another time, they had Air Hogs RC vehicles 75% off, and I got a few of those for $6 each, even though they normally retail for about $25. They made good generic gifts for kids that we didn't know really well.

 

[StitchBuddy]

I always stocked up during sales. Like someone else said, Black Friday is a great time to stock up. I use to go to Toys R US and get 5 or 6 of several of their $5 sale toys. When it was party time, my DD shopped from our party box. Now that she is 14 she doesn't go to as many birthday parties. They seem to just do a nice dinner with family at this age. But, they all like to exchange a gift at Christmas, so we stocked up in July at Bath and Body Works, I will also pick up a few things for them on Black Friday. But, to answer your question I never spent more than $10 unless it was a really good friend.

 

[Experiment113]

I also like to purchase books for presents from Half-Price Books. They usually have nice, brand new books for much less than the cover price. I spend around $10 on books i know the b-day child is interested in (i ask their interests when i RSVP). If you looked at the price on the book cover, it appears that i spent alot more.

 

[Erin1700]

I think $10 is plenty. Shop sale items and you won't have a problem. But I do think that if you have him in so many activities at such a young age, then you should expect it.

 

[aprilgail2]

$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.

I agree- I put that on an invite for a party I threw my mom for her 70th birthday 50 people were there and only 2 did not bring a gift even though it said no gifts please! Those poor 2 people must have felt awkward!

I usually spend between $20-25. That is the norm here I think. If i got something that was worth $20 for $5 I'd still buy something else or add a $10 gift card or something. I'd worry the kids parents also saw the sale and I'd look cheap.

I usually spent between 20-25 when my daughter was little-once she got to be around 8 I just stocked up on 25.00 gift cards and would give them out for each party she was invited to.

 

[tlh0726]

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.

Why not just have a play date???
Do a birthday party with relatives and close friends only.


Unless it is one of my kids close friends, I decline the invitation.
It is cake, ice cream, and your choice of dinner at our house, with family and close friends only and no gifts.

When people complain they spent $$$ money on a party and thier child only got $$ in gifts and won't use half of them, I look at them and say so why didn't you just give your child $$$ in the first place and let them go purchase what they really wanted.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I hit the Target clearance (January and July) and stock up for the year. My DD (5) gets invited to a party at least twice a month and it helps to just go into the gift shelves in my storage room. I try to buy the kind of toys that would please most kids.
I have things like My Pretty Pony's, Littlest Pet Shop sets, found great Rapunzel dolls with the hair color changer, Hot Wheels Sets, and lots of Crayola arts and craft sets. I pay no more than $5 per gift but they are all worth about $15.
I also found holiday wrap at Target after Christmas that was 90% off and didn't look christmassy at all..blue, red, green striped paper.

This, exactly. I try to stockpile both boys' and girls' gifts, as my kids are preschool/kindergarten age and seem to get invited to an equal amount of both genders' parties. $5 is about my max to spend on a clearance gift too.

 

[scrapquitler]

Just wanted to mention this to some of those with pre-school age kids who might want to stock up for their gift closet: I got a Kohls circular yesterday and there's a big ad on the back for the Kohls foundation stuff. They sell hardcover books for $5 and each of the books has a co-ordinating plush animal that goes with it for anotehr $5. I think that for $10 those would make a nice gift for a toddler or pre-schooler, and part (or all?) of the money goes to charity.

 

[KennesawNemo]

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.

DS just had his 6th b-day party. We got a Toys R Us gift card for $10 and a cash gift of $15. I think this is quite the standard within his friends' parties.

Also, I think it's fair because if I take DS to a local Monkey Joe's or Chuck & Cheese, spend half day, buy pizza and drink, it would cost very close to that amount.