Hello!

My son is 5. In preschool he has been invited to a few friends birthdays so what amount do you spend on presents and what type of things do you buy?  Any ideas would be appreciated.


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  • I usually spend between $30-50 for the older kids but I’m always on the look out fir bargains and pre buy things when on special.


  • It would depend on how well you or your child knows the other child and how financially well off or lacking you are at the time of the party


  • I don’t spend anymore than $20. But it will depend on your individual budget. I have found over the last couple of years, that my budget for birthdays presents has increased but that it due to the prices increasing! If you can stock up on sales or even buy books from school books clubs and save them, it works out great!


  • What u can afford ,I spend about $20 ,depending on how close u are to the party inviter .


  • I try not to spend more than $25, I always get a book, and change the type of toy


  • I’m a skinflint, I say no more than $10. Saying that, kids get so much, you shouldn’t spend more.


  • Puzzles or books. Around 15 dollars I’d say. 20 if he’s s a special friend!


  • Definitely no need to go over 10 or 20 bucks. You can get plenty of good gifts for $10, and I’ve found in that age groups plenty of kids give presents around that cost bracket, although some spend a lot more of course. Better to keep it lower, otherwise it can spiral out of control, with each party people spending a bit more to match the previous presents!


  • I never go over $15 for school friends , children get excited about a $10 note in a card, as then they get to go on a shopping spree with their own money


  • If I can I try to make things for my daughters friends when she is invited to a party. I like it as it usually means that our present stands out from the rest, and if it is personalised something that will be kept for hopefully a long time after the party. If it is someone that we don’t know too well we normally budget $10 and look for something gender specific. I try to ask the parents if there is a particular interest or hobby, footy team or something that can be used as a guide for choosing a present. Have fun


  • Budget shop. everything works out a lot cheaper if you budget :-)


  • I think around $15 is reasonable. Craft supplies are always good or a fun book, like a finding book.


  • I am pretty thrifty, and look around and search for specials. If something is on special I always use the before special price, so if its now $10 ORIGINALLY $20 then to me the child got a $20 gift.
    $10 to $15 is reasonable for that age I say. :-)


  • 10-20 depending on what I can find


  • I try not to go over $10 for that age group. You can get lovely cards & wrapping paper for $1-$2. Most children at that age lovely crafts (or something messy), jigsaws are great (Kmart has suitable jigsaws for less than $4 so you can get more than 1) most discount stores have chunky wooden craft kits for them to make & paint (trucks, trinket boxes).


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