How much to give on a birthday?

Drunk_Monkey

Peter333 wrote: »

I agree. I can't comprehend why someone would flat out buy a gift for someone that they know they won't like. Maybe ask yes, (if you're not sure what they like,) but it seems a bit of a waste of everyone's time, and a bit daft, to buy something someone is not going to like or want.

A bottle of three barrels brandy for me please Buzzybee.

Oh, and the new Taylor Swift calendar, because I like her music. :whistle:

Someone obviously had a lovely childhood !! A stick for x-mas !

Georgiegirl256

Person_one wrote: »

I was taught to be grateful for presents received and to be thoughtful when buying presents for others. Not to ask outright for people to give me what I want or to shop to order for other people.

Gift giving should be so much more meaningful than it becomes when it's just reduced to just a way to get your mitts on the stuff you want.

The definition of a gift is "an item willingly given to someone without payment".

It doesn't mean you can't offer a suggestion if someone does ask what you would like though.

Person_one

Drunk_Monkey wrote: »

I'm intrigued by what you could possibly mean by your comments in bold.

Surely, the essence of a "meaningful" gift giving enterprise is giving people what they really want. Lots of hugs and kisses. For you, it appears to be some second-world-war dungeon with lots of contrived smiles, stale biscuits and cold tea. After all, we should be grateful !!!!!

You didn't put anything in bold.

As for the whole dungeon and biscuits thing, wow, you've really got me figured out! :rotfl:

Slinky

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.

My Dad used to give me money as he hadn't got a clue what to buy me. He's dead now, but I didn't spend all the cash he gave me at the time (sometimes it would be £500) and so have some of the actual notes still in the envelope he gave it to me.

Dad's been gone 5 years, and it's so nice sometimes to go somewhere and we'll take some of Dad's money to buy our lunch and raise a toast to him whilst we do so.

A couple of weeks ago we used some of his money as the donation to the RSPCA to get our new cat. He would have been thrilled.

I'm so glad I have the opportunity to have 'presents' from my darling Dad even though he's not here anymore.

A thoughtless gift? No - priceless.

FBaby

Person_one wrote: »

I was taught to be grateful for presents received and to be thoughtful when buying presents for others. Not to ask outright for people to give me what I want or to shop to order for other people.

Gift giving should be so much more meaningful than it becomes when it's just reduced to just a way to get your mitts on the stuff you want.

I totally agree with this. The whole thing about giving is the effort put into it to please the person who receives it. Yes, it is hard to guess what people want, but it's amazing how it becomes an easier task after putting some deep thought into it.

As for receiving, it's all about the expectations you set for yourself.

theoretica

Peter333 wrote: »

I agree. I can't comprehend why someone would flat out buy a gift for someone that they know they won't like.

Who ever anywhere said anything about buying a gift they know the person won't like? Most people like more than one thing.

stephanieportman154

i think that the price of a present depends on our wallets and what we really want to buy and for whom!
of course for closer friends and family members we spent much more money&time than for casual acquaintances like colleagues e.g.!
i was recently buying a present for my boyfriend and it took a lot of time to figure out what to buy not to ruin my budget! i decided on a TM Lewin shirt , much of his style and used a voucher (couporando.co.uk/voucher-codes/tm-lewin) to save some money (he doesn't know about it of course ). the shirt is the same, and my account is happy. i think vouchers are a good solution for any kind of shopping:):rotfl::rotfl:

Mercenary

Drunk Monkey, give the amount of money that you feel comfortable with, but just don't set it in stone for future years.

My smallish family usually spends/gives a 'token' gift within the range of £20 - £30 which may be given as cash or in the form of an item (whichever is specifically requested after having been asked ).
If money is requested it is often to add together with money forthcoming from other people to buy something that would normally cost more than anyone can easily afford). I'll often request cash to put towards my expensive computer habit, like a new game.... or a new mechanical gaming keyboard (got money towards the keyboard for my birthday, actually ).

I would be horrified to receive an Event, booze (I don't drink) or anything marketed as Gifts for Her (Toiletries & frilly stuff! :eek: ). I'd actually prefer the Gifts for Him, if I had to choose, as they include gadgets and gizmos ( I'd rather not have the socks, ties or after-shave though! :rotfl: ). Because we discuss these things, we get to know each other's main preferences.

To spend your money on something for which the poor recipient has to fake a hollow "Thank you" is a waste of money and indicative of utter thoughtlessness by the giver.

InsideInsurance

elsien wrote: »

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 really hope he isnt as condescending as that

Presents shouldnt be judged by their price tag but by the thought and effort put in by the person. As a kid and adult the best presents I've ever received were never close to the most expensive but the ones that were most "me".