What do you spend on classmate birthday gifts?

[BostonMike7]

For children we don't know well (or at all) $20-25




For close friend's or relatives kids, $50

[HighFlyingBird]

We don't get invited to many parties anymore. Since elementary school, its just tapered off. And my kids choose to have a family weekend vacation (with in driving distance) instead of a party, so we haven't thrown one in a long time. When they were in preschool and play groups we got invited to nearly one a weekend. I did try to prioritize. Not only is it expensive, but its time consuming. And crowds of screaming kids just isn't my idea of a fun weekend. Now we are lucky to get invited to 3 or 4 a year per kid. But I have a rule. My kid has to be able to tell me about the other kid for me to take them. Several times they get in invite and they have no idea who it is.

That said, I let my kids pick what their friend might like and cap it at $25 (not including the gift bag). Sometimes they pick out $10 gifts, but usually closer to the cap. They make their own card. When we had parties, gifts tended to be $20-25, but sometimes in the $10 range. I didn't judge the parents at all for that. I didn't care if people came without a gift. Gifts are not admission to the party, but I think many people think of it that way now. Which is sad.

[JustJulia]

$15 to $20. A smaller Lego set or Nerf gun, something like that, for a boy. A $20 gift card for my daughter's high school friends. I usually have to buy a gift bag because I never have that many to reuse.

[Prosze]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

For children we don't know well (or at all) $20-25




For close friend's or relatives kids, $50

Same here.

[pkbab5]

I currently have a 1st grader who attends a fairly affluent school. Most of the kids have large parties, 30+ kids in a fun party venue like a jump zone or a gymnastics facility. She attends 1-2 birthday parties a month, and most of the presents are in the $25-$30 range. Some kids reuse gift bags and make cards, some kids bring gifts wrapped by the store with one of those personalized stickers to say who it's from.

[Mnseca]

Originally Posted by Jayerdu

Hello all. During the next 2 weeks, my kids (ages 3, 6, and 8 years old) be attending 4 birthday parties. Per kid, I would say we attend about 8-10 birthday parties throughout the year - so about 25-30 parties a year. If the host is someone that is a classmate or someone that your child isn't close friends with (i.e., you have never met the child yourself), then what do you spend on gifts?

I ask because first, in my family, we don't do birthday parties. We keep it a nuclear family affair where the kids get a "special" day. The kids get to pick an activity they want to do that day, pick out the restaurant for dinner, etc. But we do not do gifts. Second, based on my conversation with my sister today, I think I am grossly underspending.

Because at every party we've attended, no one has opened gifts during the party, I have had no way to know what others are spending.

Btw, I spend $10 per gift +/-$2.

I usually spend 15-25, but I think your amount is quite acceptable. I generally hope parents will bring my child things that are about that amount and not much more. It's just not necessary.

[Bakeneko]

It usually ends up around $20. Bags, tissue paper, cards all come from the dollar store and I try to keep an eye out for things at Ross and Tuesday Morning. I also use coupons at Micheals and JoAnns to get crafting kits or supplies.

[sonderella]

I usually spend about $15-20 on the gift. Reuse the gift bags, and kids usually make a card. My kids have been on the receiving end with gifts of both lesser and greater value. All fine.

My kids are 5, 9, and 11. Lots of parties. I actually have "kids' friends birthday parties" as a line item in our monthly budget.

[annabanana123]

$25 for friends, $50 for family.