How much to give on a birthday?

Buzzybee90

Shen81 wrote: »

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.

Better money than something someone doesn't want.

Shen81

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

Better money than something someone doesn't want.

It's better to know someone has thought about you, even if it is something you dislike. I don't like money as a gift because it is not a gift.

millysg1

I spend somewhere between £30-40 on my sister. We aren't well off but not struggling either. In late 20s.

Buzzybee90

Shen81 wrote: »

It's better to know someone has thought about you, even if it is something you dislike. I don't like money as a gift because it is not a gift.

Each to their own. I'd rather buy something I like than be given something useless - I don't think there's any thought in buying someone tat they will never use, which happens a lot.

Counting_Pennies_2

At age 20 I can see the attraction of money.


However when people get older I think money is inappropriate to give, unless a parent to a child to add on to a thoughtful gift.


I believe that if you don't know what to get someone, taking them out for a nice meal, treating them to a spa day with you, going out for an afternoon tea is much more appropriate

74jax

Shen81 wrote: »

It's better to know someone has thought about you, even if it is something you dislike. I don't like money as a gift because it is not a gift.

Someone can think of you and give you money as a gift tho. The gift is money.

trailingspouse

You should never be giving more than you can afford - I would hate to think any of my relatives were spending more than they could afford on me!!

It was my birthday a few days ago, and my OH's brother and his wife popped round the day before with a card and a gift. I know the gift would have cost around £20 (as luck would have it I'd been looking online at something similar a few weeks previously). But the cost is immaterial - what mattered more to me was that they'd chosen something that they believed I would really like (they were right), and that they'd come out of their way to deliver it in person so that I would have it on the day.

LilElvis

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

At age 20 I can see the attraction of money.


However when people get older I think money is inappropriate to give, unless a parent to a child to add on to a thoughtful gift.


I believe that if you don't know what to get someone, taking them out for a nice meal, treating them to a spa day with you, going out for an afternoon tea is much more appropriate

Not everyone likes spa days or afternoon tea. Being given an unwanted gift is one thing - you smile, say thank you and stick it in a cupboard. Being forced into spending an entire day doing something you detest, whilst pretending to enjoy yourself would be torture.

A gift is only appropriate if the recipient likes it, "days out" included.

bluenoseam

I'll put it into context, it's my sisters birthday at the end of the month, I'm spending around twenty quid all in on her present which I feel is fair & reasonable. That however will probably be well worth the money spent given the fact I know she's going to get a good laugh out of it, which is mostly the spirit that's intended.

Cyberman60

fairy_lights wrote: »

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.

That's what I do too, except for something like a wedding or a big anniversary.