Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will probably call me cheap, but honestly, I just go to Five Below and pick up a couple of things.

I was harassed about saying this same thing in the past DCUMers no likely the Five Below. They like to buy the exact same crap for $20 on amazon.

You said you get one thing from 5 below and then use dollar store tissue paper, gift bag and card. That’s what was cheap.

I am honestly shocked how many people spend $20+. My kids are 3 and 5. We go to 2-5 parties a month (old daycare friends, preschool friends, kindergarten friends, neighbors). I live in N Arlington and I am embarrassed to say how much I spend on birthday parties - too much, but it’s my choice and I don’t expect gifts at all or for those gifts to defray the cost of the party. Most gifts my kids get are in the $10-15 range, maybe $20 if 2 siblings come. I honestly feel a bit guilty when families buy us $30+ gifts that are nice than what my kids grandparents and aunts buy them.

I used to buy $25 gifts for $10-15 on PrimeDay and Black Friday and stockpile them, then I felt bad about not having a gift receipt for something purchased months before. Now I buy less expensive gifts at Target with a gift receipt. Maybe I should just cut to the chase and hand out $15 Target gift cards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will probably call me cheap, but honestly, I just go to Five Below and pick up a couple of things.

I would rather you didn't even bring a gift, though my kids would probably love this.

So although the guest would bring something that your kids would love, you'd rather they show up empty handed because of the store from which it came?

You're low class and seem to have forgotten that the gift is for the kid, not your greedy ass.

$15

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will probably call me cheap, but honestly, I just go to Five Below and pick up a couple of things.

I would rather you didn't even bring a gift, though my kids would probably love this.

My kids don’t know the difference between 5 Below and a nice toy from the Disney store. They would be equally appreciative, so keep doing what works for you.

Anonymous wrote:$15ish if just a classmate. $20ish if a good friend.

I am considered a poor on this site though.

Same on all counts.

I try to stay in the $10-15 range, but go closer to $20-25 for a toy I know a child will like if we know them well.

Usually five dollars on either side of $20 but I did just buy a partier what I thought would be an amazing gift for $32.

This is three times the amount I'm likely to spend on my own childrens' presents.

Anonymous wrote:People will probably call me cheap, but honestly, I just go to Five Below and pick up a couple of things.

I would rather you didn't even bring a gift, though my kids would probably love this.

$10 max. We are at a party at least twice a month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have twins and they are generally both invited to parties so I spent about $50 total. If only one goes I spend about $25. I'll go down to $20 and up to $30 depending on the item because some things are just pricier than others.

Same here!

I have twins. I ballpark $20 per child. If one invited, I aim for about $20. If both, $40. Depending on the gift I will go up to $50/25. So I am about $5 below these two PPs.

OP here. Thanks for confirming that I thought that about 20 was appropriate. I always get books (kids are too little to have much say or really know what classmate wants) but my DH thinks I'm a killjoy.

My older kids are now 8 and 10. I gift $25-50 for their friends. Whole class parties don’t happen anymore. Parties are usually actual friends of my child or family friend. I often gift $25 gift card with a small gift. I have been giving $50 gift cards to 10yo friends. He gets invited to only close friends nowadays.

When my big kids were younger, I used to stock up on melissa Doug or play doh type toys when they were on sale and give them as classmate gifts. They were probably $20-25 gifts that I bought for $10-15.

I now also have a toddler. She has not been invited to any classmate parties yet. I gift in $30-50 range for our family friends. Can be $100 for first birthdays.

Anonymous wrote:People will probably call me cheap, but honestly, I just go to Five Below and pick up a couple of things.

I was harassed about saying this same thing in the past DCUMers no likely the Five Below. They like to buy the exact same crap for $20 on amazon.

$10-$15 (usually closer to $15). It adds up fast when they are invited to so many parties.