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More birthday party quandaries
In the next few weeks, we'll be going to our 4th and 5th birthday parties of the year for kids in Evan's class. Everyone's turning 4, and that's certainly a cause to celebrate.
When my younger son gets into school, the parties will only double, I know. Obviously,I like to bring a gift, and I'm wondering what the appropriate amount is to spend on a 4-year-old's birthday these days. I winged it for the first three birthdays, but because the birthday kids did not open their gifts at the party (thank God), I have no way of knowing whether our gift was in line with a typical present. Lest I be chastised once again as "cheap" by a poster to this blog calling himself "Teddy," I won't reveal what I spent.
Instead, I'm curious as to what you all think is the right amount to spend on a gift for your child's classmate. It's not something I lose sleep over, and I think I'm pretty comfortable with my selections, but it would be nice to know nonetheless.
Give me a hint, won't you please?
And by the way, apologies for not blogging in awhile. A road trip to North Carolina with a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old can take a lot out of an old gal ...
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Comments
I think it is great to spend under 20.00 and make it a neutral gift that can be given to all the kids. That way there is no comparison done or favoritism shown (if you don't want to).
Posted by: Tiffany | January 15, 2008 9:18 PM
Of COURSE you spend less than $20!
I think it's fine to spend $15 or even $10 if you find something cute and fun on sale. (When I see a good toy on sale I buy three or four of them and put them in my "gift closet.''
Still, there are times you should spend more, I think.
Here's how I play it:
* Close friend/I know the parents/the kid has been to our house: $20-$25, depending on how much I like the parent.
* Some kid I've never heard of/don't know the parents/won't have to face these people again: $10-15.
Didn't our mothers teach us "it's the thought that counts"?
Posted by: Brittany | January 16, 2008 10:57 PM
Hmmm, Brittany, it looks like I've been using the same scale as you and I didn't even know it. Thanks!
Posted by: Nancy Othon | January 18, 2008 4:20 PM