SUGGESTIONS, OPINIONS AND ADVICE WANTED-OK

I have given more as my finances have improved over the years. I usually spend about $40-50 on each person for a gift…more if the occasion warrants. If giving money, you have to realize that you’re setting a precident. He will expect money from now on and in larger amounts over time. Just saying… RYN: Thanks for reminding me I need to update. Nothing new is happening but I’m doing okay. Hugs!

My mother has 4 grandkids and is on limited funds. The way she does it each grandchild get $25 and a small gift for each major gift day(birthdays & christmas) and for the little days she gives them $5. It works well since they all know what to expect and it’s not a game of trying to outdo yourself from the last year.

We have 8 grandchildren between our “blended” family. We probably spend 40-50 on each birthday. I spend more for AK because she’s a lot older than the others.

This is interesting. We usually spend around $70 to $100 for birthdays….less if there is something that they want that costs less. But, we only have 2 grandchildren…if there were more then the money spent on presents would go down. If they ask for something that costs too much I have found that all I need to say is, “No, that costs too much. You will have to ask your parents for that gift.” That closes the conversation about that particular gift.

Except for very special occasions.. Weddings, 21st bdays etc., I rarely spend over 50. In most cases I give my nieces, nephews etc., around $20-25 for ordinary birthdays and christmas. It depends entirely on your own circumstances, the occasion and your relationship to the person.

After reading your other noters, I’m going to sound like a major cheapskate! Ha! I spend $10 on birthdays and $20 on a wedding present. For Christmas, I spend no more than $10 for family and try to find gifts for friends that are around $5. I just don’t have a lot of money to spend on gifts. I try to make as many gifts as possible.

I would give a 7 year old a toy or something fun because my goodness, he is only going to be small like that for such a short time! Even a trip to build a bear would be great. I just remember my mom making me put all the money I got into a savings account and for a little kid that just is NOT fun! Oh come one! Little kids love opening presents! I say, get him something fun, save the money forwhen he is a sulky teen!

I give what I can afford….but whether it’s an inexpensive gift or a more expensive one, I always spend a lot of time trying to find something that is personal and will be “just right.” The ONLY occasions I give gifts for are Christmas and birthdays, and then only to immediate family for the most part (Joe, our kids and our kids’ families). I get the grandsons something for other occasions if I can afford to…..usually something inexpensive, but FUN, ya know? Little things I know they will like. I think that it’s fine to give a seven-year-old toys for his birthday! Seven is still young; why shouldn’t they play? He won’t have many more years in which he plays with toys, so if you want to give him a toy now…. go for it! hugs, Nicky

I have never believed in spending big on gifts, especially for children ( generally between $10 and $20)…but then I have never had much to spend…lol. They need to learn the value of things and if expensive gifts are common place they come to expect more and more each year. It eventually becomes ridiculous! A seven year old must enjoy reading, or some outdoor activity…..always a good gift idea….better that a toy they will outgrown or get bored with. The most important thing about a gift is the love and thought that goes into it, not the price. I am sure you wil find just the right thing for him…maybe even something he can get creative with. hugs P

I don’t so much put a dollar amount on gifts. I buy for each person….what do THEY like, what would please THEM? I don’t think toys are a bad thing if they’re educational, or let the child use their imagination. Still, I’d probably not spend more than $25 or $30 a pop.

I know I going to cause trouble but I don’t give gifts as much these days. I will ask what they might want to do and set up a date to do it with them. Movie, dinner, park, ball game, and such. I put a gift certificate in a card to be used when they are ready. That I get a present too, time with them and they seem to enjoy it also. If I have to I hold it to 10 to 20 per head lots of heads.

If it is family, I spend more. Close friends get more than casual friends and it changes as my finances do. My MIL has 14 grandchildren and she sets a limit of $40 per child. They can have money or a gift but she is vey careful to give the same amount so no one can complian. My mother has next to no money so her limit is only $25 and she stops giving grandchildren gifts when they turn 18.

It really depends on what you can do and being ok with it.

I’d buy a present for a 7 year old as he will enjoy opening the present and playing with the toy. He’ll enjoy a gift of money when he’s older.