What is the appropriate amount to spend for a kid’s birthday present (not your kid)?

[UCGal]

[quote=JustLurking]
My daughter’s birthday is next month and I think we will do a book exchange this year. I have done this twice in the past and it has been a hit with the kids and their parents. Each child brings a wrapped book instead of a present. I usually make up a game – some version of duck-duck-goose or musical chairs or steal the bacon – to randomly distribute the books. Kids go home with a nice book instead of a goody bag full of plastic crap. I buy my own child a nice birthday gift. Everybody wins.[/quote]

I LOVE this idea. I’m shamelessly stealing it. Goody bags bug the crud out of me and my kids don’t need more STUFF – but books are always good.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdduuuude]Pump It Up – fixed fee for first 25 kids. Nominal charge per kid over 25. Two parties w/ 12 kids each costs double 1 party with 24. We had 28 or so.

At home – you have to set up and tear down twice. Takes double the time.

Legoland – smaller twin effect. Same kid cost, but assuming we don’t let the kids run amok in Legoland without us, we would have to pay to get the parents in twice.[/quote]

You do separate parties for each child? Most of the twin families we know (several) do a joint party.

Your kids are lucky to have you as a dad!

[UCGal]

[quote=sdduuuude]Pump It Up – fixed fee for first 25 kids. Nominal charge per kid over 25. Two parties w/ 12 kids each costs double 1 party with 24. We had 28 or so.

At home – you have to set up and tear down twice. Takes double the time.

Legoland – smaller twin effect. Same kid cost, but assuming we don’t let the kids run amok in Legoland without us, we would have to pay to get the parents in twice.[/quote]

You do separate parties for each child? Most of the twin families we know (several) do a joint party.

Your kids are lucky to have you as a dad!

[UCGal]

[quote=sdduuuude]Pump It Up – fixed fee for first 25 kids. Nominal charge per kid over 25. Two parties w/ 12 kids each costs double 1 party with 24. We had 28 or so.

At home – you have to set up and tear down twice. Takes double the time.

Legoland – smaller twin effect. Same kid cost, but assuming we don’t let the kids run amok in Legoland without us, we would have to pay to get the parents in twice.[/quote]

You do separate parties for each child? Most of the twin families we know (several) do a joint party.

Your kids are lucky to have you as a dad!

[UCGal]

[quote=sdduuuude]Pump It Up – fixed fee for first 25 kids. Nominal charge per kid over 25. Two parties w/ 12 kids each costs double 1 party with 24. We had 28 or so.

At home – you have to set up and tear down twice. Takes double the time.

Legoland – smaller twin effect. Same kid cost, but assuming we don’t let the kids run amok in Legoland without us, we would have to pay to get the parents in twice.[/quote]

You do separate parties for each child? Most of the twin families we know (several) do a joint party.

Your kids are lucky to have you as a dad!

[UCGal]

[quote=sdduuuude]Pump It Up – fixed fee for first 25 kids. Nominal charge per kid over 25. Two parties w/ 12 kids each costs double 1 party with 24. We had 28 or so.

At home – you have to set up and tear down twice. Takes double the time.

Legoland – smaller twin effect. Same kid cost, but assuming we don’t let the kids run amok in Legoland without us, we would have to pay to get the parents in twice.[/quote]

You do separate parties for each child? Most of the twin families we know (several) do a joint party.

Your kids are lucky to have you as a dad!

[Essbee]

I just read most of this thread before I noticed that it is from 2010.

Anyway, I had to add my 2 cents about wrapping paper:
Many of the parents in my neighborhood (myself included) often get gifts at Geppetto’s, where they wrap the gifts for free!

Otherwise, I’m definitely a fan of reusing the previously-received gift bag.

[all]

[quote=Essbee]I just read most of this thread before I noticed that it is from 2010.

Anyway, I had to add my 2 cents about wrapping paper:
Many of the parents in my neighborhood (myself included) often get gifts at Geppetto’s, where they wrap the gifts for free!

Otherwise, I’m definitely a fan of reusing the previously-received gift bag.[/quote]

Also, Geppetto’s does not require gift receipt. Items bought there are essentially bulky gift cards.

[Author]

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