How Much Do You Spend on Your 13Yo Bday Gift?

For a 13 year old birthday I would spend $100-$200. I would not get a hoverboard 1. because that is too expensive and 2. they are dangerous. If he really wanted one he would have to save his own money up. Age 13 is old enough to babysit, pet sit, deliver papers, do lawn work, etc. My 12 year old son begs for an expensive laptop computer...I tell him to save his own money if he really wants it. So far he is not good at saving. That means he doesn't want it bad enough.

Nope.
I thought they've been recalled due to their unfortunate tendency to explode.
Airports have banned them - they sort of consider them to be weapons of mass destruction.
I'm kidding - but not by much.
No hover board!
I'd start giving her a budget - she can ask for what ever as long as it doesn't go over $100.
You're saving for her college fund, right?
There's no point in blowing huge amounts of cash on birthdays.
Rather than 'stuff', maybe she can do a small sleep over party at the zoo or aquarium - go for some sort of experience.

Most birthdays I spend very little - $30 or so. Once in a while, I'll do something big. My son has wanted an electric violin for years. I told him that if he stuck with the violin, I would get him one. This summer I'll be fulfilling that promise. A decent electric violin, bow, case, and amp is going to run me about $450. It's more than just a birthday present - it's also a reward for 5 years of hard work and practice.

I would spend what you usually do but in this case give it to her in a gift card - at our house, this would be $50 at most. Then she can save up her birthday $ and also earn some $ to buy it herself.

I'm not just saying this - my 9 year old is doing this right now. He saved all his Christmas $ and has been doing chores to earn $. It took him 5 months but next week he'll have enough to buy the gaming system he wants. He's so proud of himself that he was able to do it, and I think it was a great lesson in delayed gratification. Plus, I know that since he's been working towards it for months and was willing to sacrifice other stuff to get it, he really wants it. It's not just a whim. I highly recommend this approach.

Given the number of serious house fires with hover boards, I wouldn't get one under any circumstances. And $499 is completely unacceptable for a birthday gift. Please research this - there have been major problems on airlines with hover boards in luggage, apartment fires, and serious injuries. Check all the consumer research sites, please. If you get one anyway, please contact your insurance agent to have your homeowners policy increased, and keep the overboard outside in a shed vs. in the house or even in the garage where there is gasoline from cars and lawn mowers. There have also been significant head injuries so insist on a good quality helmet at all times.

I think a child with champagne tastes on a beer budget needs to start saving and paying for some of her own stuff. Then she'll learn to budget and to make choices. If she gets an allowance, help her separate/split her money for long term savings, "big purchase" savings and basic spending money. She needs to learn to prioritize.

She needs to learn to downsize her expectations - that's a ridiculous amount of money, IMHO, for someone her age. Learning to say "no" is going to be super important in her teen years. If she starts working but blows all her money on whims vs. saving for a car or college, you'll never get her under control if you don't start now.

I'd say $100 is reasonable, plus a party with a few kids at the movies or at a sleepover at your house.

Well, you are going to get different answers and none of them will tell you whether or not you should spend that much. Everyone has different views on how important it is to celebrate birthdays (or other holidays, see the post just a few before yours if you doubt me), and different abilities with which to fund those views.

For our household, no, I would not spend $500 on a birthday present for a 13 year old. I wouldn't spend $500 on a birthday present for my husband, ordinarily, either. A gift that size, we would choose together as a couple. And it would be a household decision, not a "gift"...

As for hover boards, I'd be really cautious here. They were really popular back around Christmas as I recall, and there have been lots of reports of exploding batteries with them that would make them a definite NO in my house. Regardless of cost.

Typically, for 13 years, we might spend $150... depending on what items they had on their "wish list"... We gave my daughter a new iPhone when she turned 13. It didn't cost $150, but the monthly service fees more than sucked $150 out of us since that time. We also gave her some other things, one of which was a ring from Pandora. Very pretty pearl ring. It was about $50.

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Well, you are going to get different answers and none of them will tell you whether or not you should spend that much. Everyone has different views on how important it is to celebrate birthdays (or other holidays, see the post just a few before yours if you doubt me), and different abilities with which to fund those views.

For our household, no, I would not spend $500 on a birthday present for a 13 year old. I wouldn't spend $500 on a birthday present for my husband, ordinarily, either. A gift that size, we would choose together as a couple. And it would be a household decision, not a "gift"...

As for hover boards, I'd be really cautious here. They were really popular back around Christmas as I recall, and there have been lots of reports of exploding batteries with them that would make them a definite NO in my house. Regardless of cost.

Typically, for 13 years, we might spend $150... depending on what items they had on their "wish list"... We gave my daughter a new iPhone when she turned 13. It didn't cost $150, but the monthly service fees more than sucked $150 out of us since that time. We also gave her some other things, one of which was a ring from Pandora. Very pretty pearl ring. It was about $50.

We too spend about $100-$200 on a birthday. One of our sons wanted this but I said no. Thought they were too dangerous.

It depends. If they want one big thing like a phone or ipad, we typically do $200 and they chip in. Or they use relatives' birthday money to add to it.

I would not myself spend $499.

For something kind of frivolous (or just fun) like that - especially if it's just a recent want, I'd make them save up. That way you know for sure they will actually get use out of it. To me that shows they are interested.

A friend of my son's has one. He saved up and bought one on holiday somewhere in Florida and got a deal. He's the only one of the kids at school with one. Not exactly sure where he uses it or with who - where no one else has one. My son had a turn on it at his house, that was about it.

I always think (good advice from my older sister) you're setting a precedent. What are you going to buy next year? Know what I mean?

Only you can answer that. It depends on how much money we all have to spend and what our priorities are. I have spent a range of money on my kids so it depends. If we have the money we will buy it, if we don't, we won't.

Your first sentence says she AWAYS wants something expensive. Maybe start talking to her about being happy with what she has and see if she will be happy with a less expensive one. My son wanted a custom skateboard once...we got it for him. I think he rode it once or twice. Now when he asks for something pricey but I'm not sure he will stick with it, I remind him of the skateboard and that he BEGGED us for it and it's still in the garage. He says, you're right mom, I don't need it. But sometimes he sticks with it. Like Air Jordan's. For the last 3+ years he has asked for them. I haven't bought them because they are expensive and he's growing fast. But I KNOW he really really does want them and I may get them someday. So I guess you just have to know if she will REALLY appreciate it and use it or not. I think that's what helps me decide how much I'll spend. Good luck.

Besides the safety issue, is there a financial concern? Can you afford to spend $500 on a toy for her birthday? Are you able to pay cash? If you use a credit card, interest will increase actual money spent. Will you be able to spend this much and more for subsequent birthdays? How much have you spent for previous birthdays? Do you have a budget based on your priorities? Does spending $500 for a birthday honor your priorities?

In addition to safety concerns, consider how long she'll remain interested and using it? Long enough to warrant spending $500. How will she benefit from having one? How will she use it? Do her friends have hoverboards? If not, how might having one affect those friendships? If you have other children, will they expect the same?

Because you asked this question, I think you're unsure about spending this much. Unless I had a 6 figure income I would not spend this much money for a birthday even if it's a milestone birthday. I might for 16 if what I purchased would be beneficial for years to come. Even then, only if I were able to continue investing in the future. Saving for education past t high school and nvesting for retirement are high priorities for me.

If I decided to spend that much money, I would only do it if my child understood the value of money. Does she have an allowance or limited source for money. Does she manage her money or just spend it on whatever she wants? A bank account and savings plan.

I just looked back at your previous post asking about your daughter's negative view of herself. I would use this money on experiences that will increase her self esteem. I would spend maybe $100 on a present. Then I would plan how to get her involved in activities, classes, even counseling.

In my opinion, $499 is a great gift for a 17-yr old graduating valedictorian. For a 13 yr old, that seems quite high. And yes, those hover boards are dangerous. I have a 13 yr old and he has a Kindle, a laptop, a Sol skate, and an Xbox. None of which Ive purchased. But I think for you, it's about what you're used to spending, how much you can afford and making sure that she is safe if you buy this item.

It really depends on what they want and/or what they need. I don't really have a set amount. One year they might get a $200 bike or iPad, the next it might be a $50 video game. Bikes and iPads are practical items though (used for transportation or to do homework), whereas a hoverboard is a toy.

We don't spend that much, usually only spending about $100-$150. If our boys are wanting something expensive, they save for it, and for birthdays or Christmas we (and other family members) may contribute money toward whatever it is they're saving for.

If you do go with the hoverboard check out the brand carefully, even the good ones are an injury waiting to happen, but many have proven to be a major fire hazard over the holidays. That said, if my kids want a big ticket item like that they will have to save up for it, or they might get it as their one and only christmas/yuletide gift, but not for a birthday. I have spent as much as $1000 on a birthday, but that was for each child on their 10th birthday (legal hunting age) for their hunting rifle which they will use for the rest of their lives, and possibly pass down to their own children, I would never spend even half that on just a toy for a birthday. If she really wants it I would give her maybe 50-75 in cash and tell her to save up the rest (that is if you are okay with the other risks of the board).

Depends on your family budget. I would not mind spending that much if the gift were of life-long value: lessons/camp, computer, safe sports gear.

Sneakers, a dangerous sports gear (hoverboard), cell phones... nope

Well it really depends on what you can afford to spend and what you want to spend. To some people $500 is nothing but to many (most I would guess) that is a lot. Also aren't those hoverboards super dangerous, overheating and catching on fire while charging?
Some birthdays I spent more (like for a new bike, or snowboard, or game system) but most birthdays I focused on having a fun party (inexpensive and old fashioned home party) and just bought a few gifts.

Woah, that's a lot! Just maybe if there were no party?! But still don't know if I'd buy it, that's a lot of money for a fad toy. A mini lap-top for about the same price is so much more practical. I think you can get a really nice bike, snowboard, skateboard, or event tickets, for significantly less that that if you're thinking of a larger special gift.

I spend what I can afford to spend at the time. Sometimes that's $5, sometimes $50.
I cannot imagine spending $500 on a kid's birthday gift. I didn't spend that much on my wedding and just over that much on my honeymoon.

Every family is different.

Sometimes people who plan to get get a high priced item, tell the child instead of the party you can pick the X (in your case a hover board). I agree with comments below to do your research. I have seen 3rd graders with these.

For me a hover board is a gimmick and not as useful as a bike. That being said, it all depends on your budget. Some little kids get sporting gear (snowboards) they out grown in a season for that price.

It totally depends on YOU. We refuse to let our children get hover boards, even though my mom offered to split the cost with them - they are NOT safe. And honestly, all of the people we know who have them, get bored with them easily. It's fun for a little while and then pointless.

Our budget for birthdays is usually $150. This year both of the boys got closer to $200 or a little more and our daughter is turning 13 in June. So far she is saying she wants cash...so she will get $200 cash, unless she comes up with something else. Last year she got a laptop...it was about $600 when it was said and done, but she needed a new one.

You have to do what works for you and your family - and what the needs are.

How much do you think is reasonable? You could let her know the anoint and tell her she needs to stay within that amount. I would think a 13 year old could understand that.

I have to go with the majority of the posters and vote no. If nothing else, the liability of use would be enough to quash this. Paying for your own medical and having your rates increase would put me over the top on

My job has banned them from campus and dorms (college students).

It is time to start to teach your daughter that not everything she wants she will get. She is going to have to put a lot more skin in the game for many things to come if she wants them. Babysitting, dog walking, pet sitting, lawn mowing and house cleaning are a few jobs that come to mind. Never too soon to learn delayed gratification for an item. In the process of saving for the item you can ask yourself if you really need or want the item.

Do keep us posted on your decision.

the other S.

i dont have an aount set for my preteens. though, thank god my kids have not asked for hoverboard because even if they gave them for free, we wouldn't get one.
my girls have weird tastes, example one of mine collects the lokai bracelets-20 bucks (she feels good about donation part, plus she loves them). the other one is into japanese collectable dolls. those run around 200 dollars. so it really depends on what they want.

I wouldn't spend that much on a gift. That's about our grocery money budget. So no, there's no way I would spend that much on a kid instead of the whole family.