How much to give on a birthday?

Drunk_Monkey

How much do you think is a good amount as a birthday present?

What do people think of £60 for my younger sister? Is that good? Or does it come across as slightly mean?

Not sure what to do ...

thanks everyone

Torry_Quine

This is a 'how long is a piece of string' question. In my experience that would be very, very generous but no doubt others will say it is mean. Only you know the family logistics for birthdays.

SailorSam

I think birthday presents are more important to children. As you get older you don't expect things.

fairy_lights

I would say £60 is too generous. It's my OH's sisters birthday in a few weeks and she has asked for cash, so we will give £15-20 maximum.

Drunk_Monkey

Thanks Torry.

I think that's a good amount. She can nip into one of the shops and buy herself a nice coat or shoes perhaps with a bit leftover? She is 20 years old so I think she would like a little something. I've been worried the past week as I just don't know how much to give ... Either it's too much or too little! Barh. Or perhaps I'm over thinking things?

marisco_2

I think the nicest thing to give someone on their birthday is your time. Whether that be in person or making the effort to phone and have a chat. How much is spent shouldn't be what is important. Someone's day can be made special by receiving a gift that shows some thought has gone into it and a nice card.

elsien

What can you afford and what have you done in previous years? £60 per relative would be way too much for me but my better off brother would consider it a normal amount for him to spend. But as he knows I'm skint, his kids are told be grateful to be getting anything at all.
I do always try to get a small token present to go with the cash though, to show a bit of thought and so people have something to open on the day.

Buzzybee90

I tend to 10-20£ spend on my brother who is the same age, except for special birthdays like 18th/21st. As I get older myself I would like to spend more so would do around £40 I imagine.

It depends how close you are, I am close to my brother but we aren't hugely close to OH's siblings so they wouldn't get as much.

DKLS

Whatever you can justify, when times have been tough I have given what I can afford and when times have been better I have been able to give more.

My wife's 40th birthday pressies being the most extravagant, but that was an exceptional year

Shen81

Money is not a present. The whole point of giving someone a present is the taking time to go out of your way to find something special for someone. Bunging money in an envelope is very thoughtless in my opinion, because after all it's the thought that counts and you haven't thought much by just giving some money. I would personally be offended if someone gave me money.

PasturesNew

It's very important to not set an expectation and precedent, in case things change in the future. If you've loads of money and really like your sister and she's younger and with a lot less money than you and really wants something expensive, then £60's not out of the question.

However, if it's because you know you need to buy something, but not sure of the value/etc, then £20's a good benchmark if you can afford it.

If she's actually horrid and your mum's making you buy something, then £10 will cover it.