Anonymous wrote:Around 30$. But, she only goes to close friends parties by her choice. She never wants to go to parties of kids she is not close to.

For kids who are very close friends and my close friends kids I can spend up to a 100$. I only have few of those.

Around 30$. But, she only goes to close friends parties by her choice. She never wants to go to parties of kids she is not close to.

$20 - $30, usually closer to $30. I was doing around $20, but upped it after my son's party when most of his gifts were in the $25 - 30 range

As little as possible and, no, I don't buy a gift for the non-birthday sibling(s). I hit the after holiday sales and stock up on some generic kid presents for the age group and give those out.

Anonymous wrote:$25 - $30.

Close friends - $50.

In my defense - we are Indians. In our culture, what you gift and the cost of the gift has huge cultural connotations.
I am unable to break that conditioning!

We are an Asian-American family. For good friends, I spent $50-100. For classmates we know well, I spend $20-40. For classmates we don't know well, I spend $10-20. I often stock up on some generic gifts during sales (Melissa Doug puzzles, board games, lego sets, play doh). They are good gifts. I just buy them as a deal.

Not sure what the cultural connotations you are referring to. We reciprocate what is the social norm.

whole class, don't know kid = $15

Clearly I am spending too much! On a related issue, if the child has a sibling who has his/ her party at the same time do you buy a present for the sibling (who you don't know) as well.

I had been spending between $30 and $50 per gift and some weekend we had 3 parties. It is madness. Knowing others are doing the same I resolve to spend closer to $20 per gift!

$20-ish, and it's always something related to the b-day kid's interests, whether a themed Lego kit or a puzzle with a favorite animal or a book on a subject s/he enjoys. It's good for DC to consider friends' preferences and learn about giving thoughtfully, regardless of price. But we do try to keep it fair and give everyone something in the same price range.