Over the top birthday gift - do I need to reciprocate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers are insane. My child is too young to be going to birthday parties but there is no chance I'm spending 60-80 bucks for their friend's birthday gift. Hell I spend about 25-35 bucks for birthdays and Christmas for my own nieces and nephews and I make plenty to afford more.

Some of you have lost your mind spending $80 on a 10 year old's birthday.

It’s not the norm except sometimes with best friends. But why are you so stingy with your own family? You make plenty!

This. $60-80 is not the norm for majority of families but yes sometimes with good friends and in the much wealthier neighborhoods, it can be. It’s not $25-35 that’s for sure.

[Anonymous]

What is the $200 gift? Could it have been a regift?

I remember years ago a friend has gifted us a dvd set. This was like a decade ago. I returned the dvd set without a receipt and got over $100 for it. I highly highly doubt this newish friend spent over $100 for a dvd set for my preschool kid. We just met. It was likely a regift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers are insane. My child is too young to be going to birthday parties but there is no chance I'm spending 60-80 bucks for their friend's birthday gift. Hell I spend about 25-35 bucks for birthdays and Christmas for my own nieces and nephews and I make plenty to afford more.

Some of you have lost your mind spending $80 on a 10 year old's birthday.

It’s not the norm except sometimes with best friends. But why are you so stingy with your own family? You make plenty!

This. $60-80 is not the norm for majority of families but yes sometimes with good friends and in the much wealthier neighborhoods, it can be. It’s not $25-35 that’s for sure.

We live in an affluent area. $50 has become norm as you can’t really buy anything for $25 anymore for a tween.

My 11yo wanted to buy his friend a $80 basketball or a $90 jersey. For his closest friends, we have spent this.

[Anonymous]

Ask your DD for a few birthday present ideas that the friend really wants and will love, then get the one that matches what you are comfortable paying. Reciprocate not the price, but how much your DD loved and wanted her present.

[Anonymous]

They could definitely have been regifting something that they already had!

This has happened to us too, and I still stick with the same general gift guidelines I have for every other kid ($25-$30).