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

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal].

On a semi-hijack… when did it become requisite to have elaborate parties at places like Pump it Up, that Laser tag place, etc? What happened to back yard parties? And when did it become requisite to have a big party for every year? I feel like the old guy yelling “Get off my lawn” but back in the old days we got birthday parties every couple of years – the entertainment was pin the tail on the donkey, and it was pretty low key.

(Oh – and we walked up hill, both ways, through the snow to school!)[/quote]

It’s not a prerequisite, but I’m one of those parents that prefer offsite…Namely

1)Cleaning up or own place afterwards is a total pain.

2)Liability. If I rent a jumper for instance, and some kid slips and hits his head on the ground…. Close friends this isn’t an issue. Some not so close friends (like a classmate’s parent, different story). Most of those offsite places make parents sign a liability waver.

3)I live in a stucco box with very little yard in back.

4)I have white/beige carpets.

[Coronita]

[quote=sdduuuude]Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll make sure my kid has the 500 piece one while I work on the 24 piece puzzle. Did not know puzzles where still made here.

[Coronita]

[quote=sdduuuude]Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll make sure my kid has the 500 piece one while I work on the 24 piece puzzle. Did not know puzzles where still made here.

[Coronita]

[quote=sdduuuude]Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll make sure my kid has the 500 piece one while I work on the 24 piece puzzle. Did not know puzzles where still made here.

[Coronita]

[quote=sdduuuude]Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll make sure my kid has the 500 piece one while I work on the 24 piece puzzle. Did not know puzzles where still made here.

[Coronita]

[quote=sdduuuude]Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll make sure my kid has the 500 piece one while I work on the 24 piece puzzle. Did not know puzzles where still made here.

[avidsaver]

I’d like to throw the reverse question out there. How do you feel about the gifts that your child receives at birthday parties? Would you (all) be fine with $10 cash or $15 gifts, or do you expect more (or less)?

I could also do without the accumulation of junk that comes along with the birthday gift receiving although I know that my son really enjoys opening the gifts. I would feel a bit awkward receiving anything too valuable (except from the aunts/uncles).

As for why the offsite parties… I live in an apartment that isn’t that conducive to having parties. I am a proponent of limiting the number of guests that can be invited though (just because of the sheer cost).

[avidsaver]

I’d like to throw the reverse question out there. How do you feel about the gifts that your child receives at birthday parties? Would you (all) be fine with $10 cash or $15 gifts, or do you expect more (or less)?

I could also do without the accumulation of junk that comes along with the birthday gift receiving although I know that my son really enjoys opening the gifts. I would feel a bit awkward receiving anything too valuable (except from the aunts/uncles).

As for why the offsite parties… I live in an apartment that isn’t that conducive to having parties. I am a proponent of limiting the number of guests that can be invited though (just because of the sheer cost).

[avidsaver]

I’d like to throw the reverse question out there. How do you feel about the gifts that your child receives at birthday parties? Would you (all) be fine with $10 cash or $15 gifts, or do you expect more (or less)?

I could also do without the accumulation of junk that comes along with the birthday gift receiving although I know that my son really enjoys opening the gifts. I would feel a bit awkward receiving anything too valuable (except from the aunts/uncles).

As for why the offsite parties… I live in an apartment that isn’t that conducive to having parties. I am a proponent of limiting the number of guests that can be invited though (just because of the sheer cost).

[avidsaver]

I’d like to throw the reverse question out there. How do you feel about the gifts that your child receives at birthday parties? Would you (all) be fine with $10 cash or $15 gifts, or do you expect more (or less)?

I could also do without the accumulation of junk that comes along with the birthday gift receiving although I know that my son really enjoys opening the gifts. I would feel a bit awkward receiving anything too valuable (except from the aunts/uncles).

As for why the offsite parties… I live in an apartment that isn’t that conducive to having parties. I am a proponent of limiting the number of guests that can be invited though (just because of the sheer cost).

[avidsaver]

I’d like to throw the reverse question out there. How do you feel about the gifts that your child receives at birthday parties? Would you (all) be fine with $10 cash or $15 gifts, or do you expect more (or less)?

I could also do without the accumulation of junk that comes along with the birthday gift receiving although I know that my son really enjoys opening the gifts. I would feel a bit awkward receiving anything too valuable (except from the aunts/uncles).

As for why the offsite parties… I live in an apartment that isn’t that conducive to having parties. I am a proponent of limiting the number of guests that can be invited though (just because of the sheer cost).

[scaredyclassic]

we ask that people bring nothing. i a m pleased when people bring nothing. i feel bad when they feel bad and bring something.

[scaredyclassic]

we ask that people bring nothing. i a m pleased when people bring nothing. i feel bad when they feel bad and bring something.

[scaredyclassic]

we ask that people bring nothing. i a m pleased when people bring nothing. i feel bad when they feel bad and bring something.

[scaredyclassic]

we ask that people bring nothing. i a m pleased when people bring nothing. i feel bad when they feel bad and bring something.

[Author]

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