Fair Amount to Spend on a Childs B-day

I use to keep my childrens' gifts to around $10.00 until I had a party for each of my children and they were getting gifts that cost more than that including gift cards for $20.00. So, now I typically spend between $15.00 and $20.00. Getting toys on sale is a great way to get more for less. For preschool kids, I would still likely spend closer to the $10.00 range, but the parties I had for my kids were when they were in Kindergarten.

Could I make a money saving suggestion??? Start keeping an eye out for childrens toys on sale, clearance etc, and stockpile them...you can use them to put together gift bags at the last minute without nearly as much financial outlay on your part. You can get a few things that are never fail gifts...hot wheels for boys, coloring books, crayons, mini footballs, bubbles, and pack a gift bag for a reasonable rate.
R. Ann

I usually give $10.00. I also watch for toys on sale so if they are 10-15.00 items and got them for 3-5.00 then I just saved money as I don't give them more toys just because they were on sale. My son is 9 and gets invited to 3-4 parties a year but I always ask him if they are a good friend and he doesn't go to every party he is invited to. I have been to some kids parties where they got 20.00 gifts/gift cards. I think that is too much and makes the other parents feel bad. In fact we don't even give our kids the gifts from us at the kids birthday parties as they are usually video games or bigger items. We usually give them 1 gift that is in the 10.00 range and will give them their other gifts after the party along with any cards they receive in the mail from family members which usually has money in them. You don't want a lot of money out with all those kids in your house and don't want big toy items out for the other kids to break before your kid gets to enjoy their gift.

Hi S., I figure $10 to $15. You can usually get something pretty good for that. And I've noticed that what my kids get at their parties are in that range.

The $10 mark is the same standard we follow. And if I can find it for less that is even better. I absolutely disagree that because you like the child more or play with them more you should spend more money or that it will reflect the type of presents your child gets, or that spending more increase your invites as previously posted. This is about giving and not receiving. I have always been able to find a great gift at that price mark. I have always felt that really thinking about what that child may enjoy in a present is what counts the most. Best Wishes.

Hi S.,
I think youve picked a fair amount for a child you dont know.I would keep it under 10$. Alot of times kids enjoy the simplest and cheapest things,like bubble keychains. For my daughters bday I made gift boxes for the other little kids who came,as a thank you. And its great for kids to leave a party with a little something of their own.
Have fun!

Well I think how much you spend also depends upon how good a friend it is...(i.e. if this is his BEST friend who he spends A LOT of time with - at school, play dates, church, etc. then yeah...spend a little more). I will say that at this age I too went in about $10 on gifts and was shocked when my kid got stuff from the $1 store! Not everyone will have the same standard as yourself so it's important to set your own limits and not be disappointed by what your kid may or may not get.

I wholeheartedly agree with the response of stock up on the sale toys. I'm constantly scavenging the clearance aisles for inexpensive presents. Bags are great to be recycled but one of the other things I started doing was just buying the canvas bags at Wal-mart or the grocery store...they sell them for $1 or less and they can be used to tote kids toys around in or books...tons of stuff. Much better money spent that way than a paper bag from Hallmark that will cost $2.50 and get thrown away. Or buy a cheap plain bag and decorate it with print outs from your computer that match the parties theme...that way you have a custom-made bag that shows you/your son put some thought into their present.

I have to say from the Christmas party gift exchange at school and my son's last birthday party the BEST gifts given were actually gift certificates! At Christmas someone wrapped up a $5 gift card from McDonald's and my son got a $10 gift card from Wal-mart (only store in town)for his birthday. Initially, he didn't understand until I told him it was just like money, that he could go pick out his own toy (whatever he wanted) and pay for it with the card...boy did that make his day and he felt like a really big boy! He still has the card, even though there's no money on it, but he plays "shop" with it at home.

Keep in mind, the better toys you give, the more invitations you are going to get because you are known as the parent/kid who gives the best presents...so the goal is to fall somewhere in the middle. The good news...the parties start to slow down after 1st grade...girls start just inviting girls and boys just boys (because no boy wants to go to a princess party...LOL...straight from my own son's mouth and he's 6).

i agree with most of the other posters that the $10 mark is about right. you can get some really cool gifts for that - and at their age they are not all about the "price tag" -which it shouldn't be anyway. i would not let more expensive gift givers make you feel bad - it's the thought that counts and if you cannot or are not willing to spend more it's not the point. i would not let it bother me - stressing about how much is spent on a child's birthday present that they will not even remember in six months is kind of a waste of energy. the point is for the kids to get together and have a fun birthday and the memories will be made in that, not in who gave what and how much did it cost. that's just adults worrying about that.

absolutely keep it under $10. The stock up on sale items was a good idea....& one I've used for years - not only for kiddie parties, but also for my own family. I buy for Christmas all thru the year!

FYI: we were invited to a lot of parties thru preschool, but it slowed down (almost nonexistent) in Kindergarten. By 3rd grade, we were down to just the best friend's party & that was it! & it wasn't a case of "not being invited" - it was a case of families just not doing the big party thing anymore. Which was a.o.k. for me!