UK Mum's...how much money do you spend on Birthday gifts for your childs school friends?

Question

What's acceptable...I dont want to be mean or over the top....but the parents have spent a lot on the party and I think it fair that their child gets some nice presents....how much?

Answer 1

Somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds. The children's watches and jewellery - lockets etc - at Tesco are in this bracket and look like they cost much more! I stock up on BOGOF offers etc too - keep a box of presents on the go - parties tend to sneak up on you. We make cards - with a drawing/photo that's topical from the child going to the party.

Answer 2

none($0)

i'm a kid :-)

Answer 3

my mum used to spend bout £10-£15

Answer 4

To some this might sound mean but about £5 to £7 pound, I think this is plenty for a school friend.You will find out in time how many school birthday parties your child gets invited to, and adjust your spending accordingly.

Answer 5

For me it always depended on the child.  If it was just a casual friend from school I would put 5 in a card and that was it if it was a close friend that they were with a lot then I would let my kids spend about 15 on a gift.  The main thing is that the kids need to learn to be happy with whatever they get and appreciate it instead of expecting more.

Answer 6

between £5 and£10.i used to spend more but when i saw some of the cheap and tacky gifts my kids in return  from them, i decided to reduce it. by the way the parents pay for parties cos they want to not cos you've asked them to, and not to make sure their kids get good pressies.

Answer 7

I went to a kids party straight from school yesterday with my 7 yr old - I spent £10 on the childs prezzy.

I think this is a decent amount and I just asked the other mum what he liked and then went to Argos! Job done. ( the card and the gift bag totted it up another £3!!

Answer 8

£10?? Wow some of you are really generous!  My children get invited to parties of every member of their class.  That's 30 kids x 2 of my own = 60 kids x £10 = £600 a year!! Plus cards and wrapping paper.  Omg I'd need another mortgage!  Well, call me tight but I buy in bulk in the sales or get clothes from TK Max that look a lot more expensive than they are.  ÃƒÂ‚£6.50 absolute top whack.

Answer 9

About £10 is acceptable.  I used to buy a gift, but now I just put the money inside a birthday card, because kids these days seem to prefer that.

Answer 10

When I was little my Mum used to spend around a fiver, that was 18 years ago though so now I'd guess about ten pound, its not too little and not too much, u dont want to appear stingy but at the same time u dont want the other parents think u are trying to show their presents up.

Answer 11

it should'nt matter how much they spend on the party ,some people go mad and spend 100's  others just have a cake and a few sweets i think a tenner is plenty or would buy an item of clothing for same amount

Answer 12

I would say 10 pound would be plenty by the time you have bought the card the wrapping paper etc, it comes to about £15 remember its the thought that counts, if you feel that's not enough why not buy some little fairy cakes or sweets for the party guests. Trust me that will go in your favour. Some mothers don't but their kids school friends anything so he/she should count themselves lucky.x

Answer 13

£5 if there just class mates but if there his bezzie's then about £10.

Answer 14

I normally spend between £7 and £10 pound.  Don't forget you have the card and wrapping paper on top of that.  I think that's a fair amount.  Think of how many children in a class and if your child got invited too all the children's birthday parties, it works out quite a lot.

Answer 15

$10 to $15

Answer 16

I put money in a card and maybe a box of chocs...

Infants - £5

Juniors - £10

If it's for a best friend of the child a lil bit more and if you buy a pressie, the wrapping paper etc can add up to quite a bit...my youngest had 2 parties for 4 weekends on the trot....cost a bloomin fortune=]

x

Answer 17

I used to do between £5 and £10 depends what the child in question likes but my daughter usually knows what to get her friends

Answer 18

10 pounds i tend to have a look in the sales have a look at woollies they have quite a lot on sale Adas do good bargins as do tescos bubble baths sets went down well last year i got some for a 5 in boots if i see them in sale i tend to buy in bulk but only good if you have room to store them

Answer 19

£10

Answer 20

£5 tops.

But I make a point of going round the discount stores and sales when I can, and if I see something appropriate for my child's age group I'll buy a few. I got lots of jewelry making kits in the sales for my daughter's friends - she's 11. And a whole bunch of metal modelmaking sets for my son's friends - he's 8.

Wrapping paper? Card? Paper is £1 for a huge roll at places like Matalan or Poundstretcher (enough to wrap up 20 presents at least) and my kids make the cards themselves.

Answer 21

£10. plus a card.

Answer 22

£10 is fine

Answer 23

I use to spend £5 but you can't get much for that so no more than £10. However keep a look out in tesco for bogof offers.

I got 2 barbies for £8 and put them away for birthdays. Hope this helps.

Answer 24

i would spend about £10 if you child wonts something more expensive for his friend make him/she work for it

Answer 25

I normally go with 25 to 30 $.....

You knw somethin nice but not too expensive!

Answer 26

£10 tops.