Birthday parties  

I think that $5 is great for elementary, $10 for jr high and $20 for high school. Expecially if the kid asks for money, graduation is different but for birthdays this should be ok.

More than good enough, if you ask me. Children are of course swayed by such things and they needn’t worry about our purse so for them, anything is OK…the more expensive the better. In some ways, I dread birthday parties esp. if I don’t know them as my son is very gullible and obstinate in these matters…he always thinks he’s giving the cheapest gifts. I of course put my foot down, either you go with what I buy or you don’t go at all.

Well I think it depends of the ages of the children you are talking about. If it's between 5-7, we have always done like $10, anything older we have done $20 but that's what works for us. A different amount may be better for you and your budget. Cash and gift cards seem to be what most kids are asking for these days- my oldest son wnet to a party where his 12 year old buddy walked away with over $150 bucks from all his friends- but he (the little boy) put it toward a new gaming console- so like I said its up to you. Good luck and happy mylotting!

I think $5 is great for a child you do not know. Hope you son has a great time at this party, and who knows maybe after this party your son and this child he does not know too well will become best friends.....friendships start and grow in the most unlikely places and at the most unexpected times.

Happy Mylotting!!

Five dollars should be just fine, expecially for a kid your son really do not know. If it was a kid that my son was friends with, I would give a care with ten dollars. It was nice that your son was invited to the party, but you shouldn't go overboard with the gift. I am sure the kid would appreciate anything that he got.

From the sounds of it, this kid invited the whole class just so he could get more presents and more money! Especially since he's asking for a gift card and not an actual toy, totally sounds greedy. Whenever parents call and ask what my kids want I just tell them "Oh he's interested in cars and superheroes, so you can't go wrong if you pick something of that nature" that way they decide what to get. I like for my kids to be surprised and get something they wouldn't actually pick out, or I wouldn't pick out for them. You never know how much they may enjoy something you'd never think to get them, you know?

When I take my kids to someone else's birthday party, I never ask what they want. I use my imagination and find a gift between $5 and $10 that they'd enjoy. It would probably be something my own kid has and loves. To get an idea I go by what's on the invitation. If it's a Transformers invitation, you can bet the kid likes super heroes. If it's a football invitation, the kid likes sports, etc etc.

I think five dollars either in cash or gift card is real reasonable. Both for his age and for someone you barely know. So if i were you I would just go with that.

hi lilybug, belated happy birthday to your son! i havent got any child at the moment but i think first birthday will be thinking of giving him/her a party coz to reckon that he/she is our first baby and the first grandson in the family. but i think, after 2 years old, i will be practical in giving him/her birthday parties.

for me it's just OK to spend $5 on the kid that your son doesn't really know well.

besides, it is better to give than to receive ;)

I'd say $5-10 would be fine; though I'd lean more tward the $10 so you don't look too cheap. But I agree if you don't really know them or the parents I wouldn't worry about how much you put in the envelope.