Birthday parties: there’s one almost every weekend. My kids love when an invite comes home or we tell them we got an email about an upcoming party. Of course, we RSVP immediately, but then the conversations begin on what gift we should give. As a parent, I start to think about how much to spend on birthday gift.
We would love to buy the birthday kid a super awesome hot new toy, but we’re a family on a budget. I typically spend around $15 on a gift and keep my eyes peeled for sales on Amazon or in-store. We gravitate toward giving games, because they are totally gender neutral and fun to play with groups of kids or families.
A few other Parent Panelists weighed in on what they spend on birthday gifts and if they have things they like to purchase. Melissa “Mommy” Hunter, from the Mommy and Grace Show says it depends on the kid. Typically, she give a $25 in a gift card to either Target or Barnes & Noble. She also likes to throw in a small hot collectable, like Shopkins.
James Zahn from The Rock Father likes to find out what the birthday kid likes. Then he buys a gift in the $20-$25 range. He says action figures and dolls are always big, and he always makes sure to include a gift receipt just to be safe.
Charlene DeLoach from Charlene Chronicles spends around $10-15 for the birthday boy or girl. Sometimes she might go above that if it is for a best friend. She likes to choose a fun theme, and provide a basket of little things that keep within that same theme. She likes shopping at dollar stores and dollar bins to find great items at a great value. You can see her other birthday savings ideas here from her local TV segment.
Overall, the most important thing to remember is to stay within your budget. Sometimes the most favorite gift is the one that surprises you. At my daughter’s last birthday, the self-inflating whoopee cushion, which is under $10, was the big hit and gets played with a lot.
A birthday is a celebration and I try to teach my kids that the gift is friends attending; anything else is a bonus.
Do you have certain things you like give for birthday gifts?
