Buying a Birthday Gift

I think any present these days from anyone is 'not cheap'. Seven year olds are so versatile. You can buy them markers and little feathery pens from a dollar store and they are as happy as my son was with a new WII for his 26th birthday. (that was his wife, I gave up with Nintendo). If you need a dollar mark don't look at me, I don't believe in it any more. And I'm sitll whining about nobody writing thank you notes. I get texts. FOR GRADUATION GIFTS? But back to you. If you need to keep up with everyone spend at least ten dollars. You'll feel good. But not totally poor.

"Good" friends...we'll do $25, "acquaintances", usually $20.

My son just had his 9th birthday with 15 friends here, he wanted to invite his whole class of 19 kids. He got a range of things from $4 to at least $20 -25. Some things he loved and will play with and others were opened and likely won't ever be touched again except to clean his room. He loves getting gift cards and money and he can buy what he wants. It is hard to know what kids like and there is nothing worse than wasted money. I would hope a gift card and/or cash would be money well spent. About 6 years ago my daughter returned a bunch of things to walmart and got a gift card for about $115, she used that gift card over a period of several months to buy things she wanted. I think about $15 is appropriate and nothing wrong with a gift card, perhaps include a candy or pack of gum.

I always do $20-$25 which is the norm around me.

I think $10 is great. I mean really how much does a 7 year old girl need. I love to buy books for gift cards for bookstores if I need to mail the present. I was a professional nanny for twenty years and worked for weathly families. Most of the didn't spend the money you think they would for school friends gifts. The last family I worked for each child had 20-25 kids in the room and my charge was invited to at least half of the kids birthday and I told the mom that $10-15 is a great amount to spend, especially if you are going to buy a book. So that is what she stuck with and still does to this day, the kids are 8 and 11. I usually buy books based on the theme of the birthday because I am guessing that is what they like. Seven year old girls love markers and most any arts and crafts, so you shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to get a nice present.

$10 unless its an absolute best friend and then I might spring for $15 although I did a lot of shopping on the clearance shelves after christmas. you can get nice things for great prices if you look regularly. I do that and have a shelf in the closet full of that kind of stuff. then the kids can "shop" for a gift from that.

I try not to do gift cards until they older...girls are usually pretty easy: arts and crafts stuff, some cute accessories from a store like Claire's in a little purse, summer stuff like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc, in a cute bag or plastic bucket, if you know her size maybe a cute top from somewhere like the Disney store, or how about a beach towel, cool water bottle? Some kid gardening gloves, seeds and pint size shovel/trowels would be fun, too. I would aim for $10-15. (Another idea for almost any age is a smallish plastic serving bowl, packet of popcorn, couple boxes of candy and a movie [Target usually has some "older" ones for $5/$7] although this one may come out closer to $20 total). Good luck!

$10. With the economy the way things are right now, $10 is very generous.

$10-15 is appropriate. I would say gift instead of gift card. I usually let my son pick out a toy $10 or under and then we get a book under $5. I think 7yo are easy....Barbie (the basic ones), art & craft set ie (bracelet making things). Outside stuff, chalk, jump rope, Dress up.
I tell my son it is his job to find out what the birthday boy or girl likes and the under $10 thing is a teaching lesson. I must admit the dollar store is pretty good for a lot of things, I do try to steer clear of any of the silver stuff and anything painted because of lead issues. But you can get a card & gift bag there.

It depends on who the child is. I found for the girl that we went to the party today a kit from JoAnne's on how to make lip balm. With tax it was around $20.00.

I like the Claire's idea - maybe a gift card.

Good luck
J.

I have a 7 year old girl. $10 or $12 for a classmate. I don't do girft cards since I think kids still get a kick out of presents. However, they are getting to the age where I think gift cards are okay. One time, for a good friend, I bought a colorful wallet at Target, filled it with a $5 Borders gift card, some $1 coins, chapstick, stickers, and a photo of our daughters together.

I really hate gift cards for kids. I don't think they appriciate the benefits of it and it usually causes more issues for the parents. They have to take the kid to the store and argue over how much they have to spend vs. what they really want to buy.

I set a limit for kids in class at $10.00 (including wrapping and card). I know it sounds cheap, but no one has ever looked dissapointed. We usually get seasonal toys and my daughter likes to make cards or get one of the 50 cent rack at the store (kids don't care about the card anyway!).

My daughter would spend $15 just on a bag or wrapping paper if I let her. This is teaching her the importance of putting your money where its more important. the gift is more important than the wrapping. :)

I'd say $10-$20 is great. My daughter has received $10 gift cards, which are perfect. Even a $10 bill can be great for 7-year-olds!

My son just had his first school friend party when he turned 7 last month. I was amazed at the generosity. He got some really nice things, people spent from $20 all the way up to $40 it seemed. The parties he's gone to I budget about $20 but try to find good deals so I may spend $20 but it costs $30 elsewhere kind of thing. For a gift card, I'd do $20. I also consider the parties tend to cost about $15-25/child for the family giving the party.

I would spend $20-25 on a gift. A gift card would be appropriate too.