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

[briansd1]

flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!!

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1]flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!![/quote]

Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.

I don’t think my main objective here is to maximize profits off of my kids’ friends/acquaintances’ parents, nor is my objective to try to be ostentatious or lavishing in gift giving in a environment whose parents tend to be professionals.

Somehow, sending like $15-20 check would probably be tacky/kooky in my book, and probably borderline insulting if the parents are professionals making decent money…Plus it would probably be annoying if you were the only one doing it, because that parent would have to make an extra trip to the bank to cash the $15 check, which after gas/time/vehicle usage/ probably ends up amount to $7.

For the past two months, almost every weekend, my kid has had a friend with a birthday party or something. While it isn’t necessarily burning a hole in my pocket (yet), it does add up…And there is a balancing act between saying too many parties versus not going at all. BTW: you can gauge how bad an economy is based on how much/little parents are willing to spend on kids. You know the crapper has hit the fan, when the level of birthday parties has fallen off a cliff (unless, your kid is a complete social-path). The number of birthday events was almost nill at the beginning of the year, despite me knowing several of her friends had birthdays during that period.

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1]flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!![/quote]

Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.

I don’t think my main objective here is to maximize profits off of my kids’ friends/acquaintances’ parents, nor is my objective to try to be ostentatious or lavishing in gift giving in a environment whose parents tend to be professionals.

Somehow, sending like $15-20 check would probably be tacky/kooky in my book, and probably borderline insulting if the parents are professionals making decent money…Plus it would probably be annoying if you were the only one doing it, because that parent would have to make an extra trip to the bank to cash the $15 check, which after gas/time/vehicle usage/ probably ends up amount to $7.

For the past two months, almost every weekend, my kid has had a friend with a birthday party or something. While it isn’t necessarily burning a hole in my pocket (yet), it does add up…And there is a balancing act between saying too many parties versus not going at all. BTW: you can gauge how bad an economy is based on how much/little parents are willing to spend on kids. You know the crapper has hit the fan, when the level of birthday parties has fallen off a cliff (unless, your kid is a complete social-path). The number of birthday events was almost nill at the beginning of the year, despite me knowing several of her friends had birthdays during that period.

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1]flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!![/quote]

Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.

I don’t think my main objective here is to maximize profits off of my kids’ friends/acquaintances’ parents, nor is my objective to try to be ostentatious or lavishing in gift giving in a environment whose parents tend to be professionals.

Somehow, sending like $15-20 check would probably be tacky/kooky in my book, and probably borderline insulting if the parents are professionals making decent money…Plus it would probably be annoying if you were the only one doing it, because that parent would have to make an extra trip to the bank to cash the $15 check, which after gas/time/vehicle usage/ probably ends up amount to $7.

For the past two months, almost every weekend, my kid has had a friend with a birthday party or something. While it isn’t necessarily burning a hole in my pocket (yet), it does add up…And there is a balancing act between saying too many parties versus not going at all. BTW: you can gauge how bad an economy is based on how much/little parents are willing to spend on kids. You know the crapper has hit the fan, when the level of birthday parties has fallen off a cliff (unless, your kid is a complete social-path). The number of birthday events was almost nill at the beginning of the year, despite me knowing several of her friends had birthdays during that period.

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1]flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!![/quote]

Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.

I don’t think my main objective here is to maximize profits off of my kids’ friends/acquaintances’ parents, nor is my objective to try to be ostentatious or lavishing in gift giving in a environment whose parents tend to be professionals.

Somehow, sending like $15-20 check would probably be tacky/kooky in my book, and probably borderline insulting if the parents are professionals making decent money…Plus it would probably be annoying if you were the only one doing it, because that parent would have to make an extra trip to the bank to cash the $15 check, which after gas/time/vehicle usage/ probably ends up amount to $7.

For the past two months, almost every weekend, my kid has had a friend with a birthday party or something. While it isn’t necessarily burning a hole in my pocket (yet), it does add up…And there is a balancing act between saying too many parties versus not going at all. BTW: you can gauge how bad an economy is based on how much/little parents are willing to spend on kids. You know the crapper has hit the fan, when the level of birthday parties has fallen off a cliff (unless, your kid is a complete social-path). The number of birthday events was almost nill at the beginning of the year, despite me knowing several of her friends had birthdays during that period.

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1]flu, you’re Chinese so why not get all the kids to implement the Chinese system just like for weddings. Cash only! A check in an envelope is the best gift in my mind, no matter what the amount is.

I think a reasonable amount for a kids’ birthday is the cost of the meal (say $10/person) + 10 = $20. More if you’re feeling generous or it’s a nice party.

If everyone did that, the child would have a nice amount of cash to buy a good gift for himself.

I’m not Chinese but that’s the best way!![/quote]

Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.

I don’t think my main objective here is to maximize profits off of my kids’ friends/acquaintances’ parents, nor is my objective to try to be ostentatious or lavishing in gift giving in a environment whose parents tend to be professionals.

Somehow, sending like $15-20 check would probably be tacky/kooky in my book, and probably borderline insulting if the parents are professionals making decent money…Plus it would probably be annoying if you were the only one doing it, because that parent would have to make an extra trip to the bank to cash the $15 check, which after gas/time/vehicle usage/ probably ends up amount to $7.

For the past two months, almost every weekend, my kid has had a friend with a birthday party or something. While it isn’t necessarily burning a hole in my pocket (yet), it does add up…And there is a balancing act between saying too many parties versus not going at all. BTW: you can gauge how bad an economy is based on how much/little parents are willing to spend on kids. You know the crapper has hit the fan, when the level of birthday parties has fallen off a cliff (unless, your kid is a complete social-path). The number of birthday events was almost nill at the beginning of the year, despite me knowing several of her friends had birthdays during that period.

[temeculaguy]

I buy gift cards from costco and sams club and keep a supply for the inevitable last minute notice the night before that one of my kids is going to a birthday party. Mine are teens so itunes cards are coveted, as well as movie cards, jamba juice, starbucks, etc. The formula is as follows, $25 for a kid I’ve never met or don’t know the parents, then a sliding scale up to about $50 for one of their best friends and everyone else falls in between. Sams and costco sell the cards at a discount between 5% and 20% off, so the numbers I’m quoting are face value, not what I paid. It’s easy and there is no time or gas costs when you just buy a couple hundred worth of assorted cards in one stop that can get you through the year.

Nieces and nephews are an exception, I only have a couple so it is fun to spoil them rotten and they wont be drifting in and out of my kids or my life. I had that “cool” uncle when I was a kid, every kid should have at least one. Every two years they need a new computer or laptop, other years it’s ipods, it’s a way to give money to my siblings without actually giving it to them and I’m a firm believer that kids should have computers, this is their world and familiarity with technology is a requirement.

[temeculaguy]

I buy gift cards from costco and sams club and keep a supply for the inevitable last minute notice the night before that one of my kids is going to a birthday party. Mine are teens so itunes cards are coveted, as well as movie cards, jamba juice, starbucks, etc. The formula is as follows, $25 for a kid I’ve never met or don’t know the parents, then a sliding scale up to about $50 for one of their best friends and everyone else falls in between. Sams and costco sell the cards at a discount between 5% and 20% off, so the numbers I’m quoting are face value, not what I paid. It’s easy and there is no time or gas costs when you just buy a couple hundred worth of assorted cards in one stop that can get you through the year.

Nieces and nephews are an exception, I only have a couple so it is fun to spoil them rotten and they wont be drifting in and out of my kids or my life. I had that “cool” uncle when I was a kid, every kid should have at least one. Every two years they need a new computer or laptop, other years it’s ipods, it’s a way to give money to my siblings without actually giving it to them and I’m a firm believer that kids should have computers, this is their world and familiarity with technology is a requirement.

[temeculaguy]

I buy gift cards from costco and sams club and keep a supply for the inevitable last minute notice the night before that one of my kids is going to a birthday party. Mine are teens so itunes cards are coveted, as well as movie cards, jamba juice, starbucks, etc. The formula is as follows, $25 for a kid I’ve never met or don’t know the parents, then a sliding scale up to about $50 for one of their best friends and everyone else falls in between. Sams and costco sell the cards at a discount between 5% and 20% off, so the numbers I’m quoting are face value, not what I paid. It’s easy and there is no time or gas costs when you just buy a couple hundred worth of assorted cards in one stop that can get you through the year.

Nieces and nephews are an exception, I only have a couple so it is fun to spoil them rotten and they wont be drifting in and out of my kids or my life. I had that “cool” uncle when I was a kid, every kid should have at least one. Every two years they need a new computer or laptop, other years it’s ipods, it’s a way to give money to my siblings without actually giving it to them and I’m a firm believer that kids should have computers, this is their world and familiarity with technology is a requirement.

[temeculaguy]

I buy gift cards from costco and sams club and keep a supply for the inevitable last minute notice the night before that one of my kids is going to a birthday party. Mine are teens so itunes cards are coveted, as well as movie cards, jamba juice, starbucks, etc. The formula is as follows, $25 for a kid I’ve never met or don’t know the parents, then a sliding scale up to about $50 for one of their best friends and everyone else falls in between. Sams and costco sell the cards at a discount between 5% and 20% off, so the numbers I’m quoting are face value, not what I paid. It’s easy and there is no time or gas costs when you just buy a couple hundred worth of assorted cards in one stop that can get you through the year.

Nieces and nephews are an exception, I only have a couple so it is fun to spoil them rotten and they wont be drifting in and out of my kids or my life. I had that “cool” uncle when I was a kid, every kid should have at least one. Every two years they need a new computer or laptop, other years it’s ipods, it’s a way to give money to my siblings without actually giving it to them and I’m a firm believer that kids should have computers, this is their world and familiarity with technology is a requirement.

[temeculaguy]

I buy gift cards from costco and sams club and keep a supply for the inevitable last minute notice the night before that one of my kids is going to a birthday party. Mine are teens so itunes cards are coveted, as well as movie cards, jamba juice, starbucks, etc. The formula is as follows, $25 for a kid I’ve never met or don’t know the parents, then a sliding scale up to about $50 for one of their best friends and everyone else falls in between. Sams and costco sell the cards at a discount between 5% and 20% off, so the numbers I’m quoting are face value, not what I paid. It’s easy and there is no time or gas costs when you just buy a couple hundred worth of assorted cards in one stop that can get you through the year.

Nieces and nephews are an exception, I only have a couple so it is fun to spoil them rotten and they wont be drifting in and out of my kids or my life. I had that “cool” uncle when I was a kid, every kid should have at least one. Every two years they need a new computer or laptop, other years it’s ipods, it’s a way to give money to my siblings without actually giving it to them and I’m a firm believer that kids should have computers, this is their world and familiarity with technology is a requirement.

[briansd1]

[quote=flu]
Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.
[/quote]

I was only kidding… And sure, parents would be annoyed at cash requests. But if they stop to think about it, it’s much easier to write a check or give cash.

I personally would much rather give cash as I don’t have to run around looking for a gift. 🙂

[briansd1]

[quote=flu]
Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.
[/quote]

I was only kidding… And sure, parents would be annoyed at cash requests. But if they stop to think about it, it’s much easier to write a check or give cash.

I personally would much rather give cash as I don’t have to run around looking for a gift. 🙂

[briansd1]

[quote=flu]
Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.
[/quote]

I was only kidding… And sure, parents would be annoyed at cash requests. But if they stop to think about it, it’s much easier to write a check or give cash.

I personally would much rather give cash as I don’t have to run around looking for a gift. 🙂

[briansd1]

[quote=flu]
Brian, I think my objective is to create a decent social environment for my kid so that my kid is more or less socially accepted by some kids. While it’s not my intention to turn my kid into a social butterfly and party animal, I do see the value in my kid having some friends versus being a totally anti-social hermit embarrassed by the perception of kooky parents.
[/quote]

I was only kidding… And sure, parents would be annoyed at cash requests. But if they stop to think about it, it’s much easier to write a check or give cash.

I personally would much rather give cash as I don’t have to run around looking for a gift. 🙂

[Author]

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