How much do you spend on a present for your childs school friends party?

Rockporkchop

Thanks for asking this OP as it was something I have been pondering.

Just wondering, do people spend the same amount regardless of where the party is held? DD1 (reception) has just moved schools and we have received two invitations this week - one at an expensive soft play place and one build a bear party. Wouldn't the usual £5-8 gift seem derisory for this type of party? How much would be reasonable to spend if they are clearly spending in excess of £20 for DD to attend the party?

Spendless

I don't change the price I spend due to venue. I have altered my budget for a joint and once triple birthday party (unrelated kids) as it was 3 x the cost, for 1 invite.

pukkamum

Rockporkchop wrote: »

Thanks for asking this OP as it was something I have been pondering.

Just wondering, do people spend the same amount regardless of where the party is held? DD1 (reception) has just moved schools and we have received two invitations this week - one at an expensive soft play place and one build a bear party. Wouldn't the usual £5-8 gift seem derisory for this type of party? How much would be reasonable to spend if they are clearly spending in excess of £20 for DD to attend the party?

Definitely not, it doesn't matter to me where the party is held that is their choice not mine, I spend no more than a fiver much less if possible.
In my opinion a party is part of the childs birthday present from the parents not an excuse to recieve a ton of expensive gifts, and if they are daft enough to spend £20 per head more fool them!

onlyroz

About £5...

quinechinoise

Up to 8 quid, no more. I am one of the cheapest gifters around here though. A lot of people seem to spend closer to 20 quid. Don't see the point in pretending to be richer than I am though - and venue is irrelevant.

Be who you are and take invites at face value. They don't have to invite your child.

xxlouisexx56

When dd1 was at nursery I used to spend £10. She has autism and had a hard time fitting in so for the parties she was invited too we always chose a nice gift.

Since going to school she gets invited to a fair few so I would buy things in sales etc between £5-£7. Her closest friend I will still spend £10 on.

Now she is 7, I've stopped buy toys. I either give the child a voucher or usborne books from amazon which are much lower than RRP.

Gra76

£10 maximum for a classmate or similar. Maybe £15 maximum for a close friend.

jackomdj

As little as possible for a good present. Like many others I buy in the sale, often get £20 presents for £5. A few years ago I had to tell a couple of parents how much I paid as the items were worth about £80 but I paid less than £10, I did make sure these presents went to good friends though :-)

marywooyeah

depends who it is, for a close friend I spend at least £10 sometimes up to £20, but for others it's a cheap card factory card - they only end up in the bin anyway - and I have a little cupboard at home I top up with kids presents when I see offers so we've always got a little stash.