My son is in a class of almost 20 kids. It seems every kid has a birthday party and invites all the classmates. I'm starting to feel the pressure to do the same - although i know i don't, the little mite is starting to ask about a birthday party. Anyway that's a side issue. It is something we didn't really do in our family growing up.
What i'd like to know...what is the going rate to spend on the gift. I'm trying to be thoughtful and definitely buy something tailored towards each child we are buying for, but is $12- $15 adequate. Sometimes the goody bags look more than that. What do you all do?? Bear in mind, they're in the same class but not "forever friends" yet. I guess the next birthday after 5, the kids start to just invite those they are really friendly with. Also...if we can't go to the birthday party, we don't need to buy anyway - do we??
Hi C.,
I try to spend $12-15 for kids we don't know. I usually go to Michaels or Joanne's with a 40% coupon and try to find something fun that they most likely don't have! We don't do a gift if we don't go. I would maybe spend a little more on a good friend.
What I have noticed and spent myself has been around $20 for a gift. If you do not attend the party then you certainly do not need to buy a gift unless they are a very good friend.
Hi C. The best giftyou can give them is money in a gift card. Since all or most of these children are five or six, put that amount in there or what you can afford.
The kids go nuts for Webkinz (those stuffed animals that come with a code to access their cool website) and you can get them for about $12-15 and they're thrilled! I usually let my daughter pick one out & then we get a candy bar or something sweet to wrap up with it. No one cares what the cost is, they're just really, really happy to have one. If you live near a Learning Express, they will wrap it nicely for free, and if you join their club they keep track of your purchases & you get some of your money back at the end of the year in the form of vouchers in the store. It's a nice system because, like you, my daughter is in a big class & gets invited to tons of b-day parties.
Have fun!
D.
$12-15 for a regular party, $20 for a good friend.
When hosting your own party, try to keep the guest list down. (No one gets their feelings hurt if they are not invited to all 19 birthdays). Ask him who his favorites are each week, you'll get to know the names of his friends.
Hi Cat,
My husband and I were struggling with this last year. The kids were getting invited to parties of children we have never heard them talk about. We finally said enough already and were honest with the boys. We cannot afford presents/mooney for all these people if you aren't "friends" we nicely decline the invitation. I get gift cards to Toys R Us, Game Stop, Movie Theatre, or Movie Rentals for $10-15. The few "Best" friends get $20.
We spend $12-$15 per gift (or less if we can score something of that value on sale!) and we do not give gifts if they don't attend the party (unless it is for a cousin or best friend.)
Hi-i always spend about 10 dollars on a classmates gift-and I never buy a gift for a bday party that we aren't going to-good luck
I think 12-15 is about right. I spent about 20 on our last one but I had a TRU coupon so that helped. For our party, we only invited the boys in the class (2nd grade) and the close neighbors. I asked the teacher about this and she (in not so many words) said it was ridiculous to invite the whole class and reminded me that they say that a good amount of friends to have at the party is the same number as their age(6yo = 6 friends) . She also said that is common for parents to only invite one gender out of the class.
First of all I never gave my son a birthday party when he was that age and he only attended the ones who he considered friends. I know it might have been a little different for us because he was a private Christian school but I really don't think your son she have to attend ever party he is invited to just because he is invited. Once they start to go to school it is time for them to make some choices.
As far a gift prices, I think you need to look at what you can afford. Don't buy something that you can afford just to keep up with the Jones'. If money is not the issue I think $10.00 to $15.00 is a good amount. But if it is an issue boys always like baseball cards or matchbook cars and only spend around $5.00. Girls like things for their hair or a fancy brush set or maybe a stick book and some stickers and again only spend around $5.00. I think it is not how much you spend or how big the item is, it is the thought that count.
Good Luck
Always spend what you can afford. And sometimes age appropriate presents are just perfect and not that costly. At age five they love markers for instance. By twelve they might get a little snobby. teehee. Anyway, no one is paying your bills, so don't worry about it. In this day and age of downsizing businesses and job losses you shouldn't fret. Do what you can. And of course you don't have to give a present if you don't go.
For that age, you can get a really nice gift or book for that price. That's about what I spend, too.
