How much do you spend when shopping for a birthday gift?

[wokingmommy]

I'm wondering what other mom's out there spend when shopping for a birthday gift.  My daugher's 5 and in kindgergarten.  She was invited to a friend's birthday party.  I'm trying to decide on a gift.  I don't want to go overboard on it being that the girls just met in September & became friend's.   What would you spend?

[lcbowman]

Unless it is family I usually keep it under $10.  My older kids know this is my set amount and if it is someone special to them and they want to spend more they can spend some of their allowance on the gift as well.  It can get real expensive, real fast otherwise.

[klianemcb2]

I say $20 for kids they're not close with.

[inmybizz]

I keep it 10 and under.. My daughter started kindergarten this yr and so far we have attended 5 parties. I usually give books, since i don't know the kids and sometime neither does my daughter...

[Barabell]

I do $15 to $20, much closer to $20.  Trust me, the parents are usually spending more than that on your kid by inviting them to the party.

[StephanieSH]

I usually try and get it close to $20.  If it's a really close friend, we'll usually go up to at least $30.

[weaveress]

we shop dollar tree a lot and make little baskets for their friends unless its like someone they have known forever. the little neighbor girl i spent thirty on cause shes over here all summer and im friends with her parents.

[SCmomof3girls]

If it is someone they do not know well, I would probably spend around $10.....something like a My Little Pony or a Barbie doll and a coordiating book. If it is a good friend, I would probably go up to $20-25 and get something more suited to what we know that they enjoy.

[tacahamom]

This is such a great question! I have often wondered this myself so I was glad to see that most people spend the same I do.

 

[PSReal]

Quoting inmybizz:

I keep it 10 and under.. My daughter started kindergarten this yr and so far we have attended 5 parties. I usually give books, since i don't know the kids and sometime neither does my daughter...

I also do books because I love books and because I can usually get really great books on clearance at Borders.  Recently they had these great pirate ship books where a whole ship pops out when you open it.  I bought several and gave them at many boys' parties.  Also because I never know what toys kids have or what they like. 

I don't think you should base how much you spend on how much the parents spend on the party.  If the parents decide to have pony rides, clowns, musical entertainment, etc., does that mean you have to bring more expensive presents?

[hholllyy426]

When I buy birthday gifts I try to keep the cost to around $10, for friends and family. Between DH's family and my family there is at least one birthday a month, it's crazy.