How much should I spend on party presents?

Birthday invites mean one thing - spending money. But exactly how much should you shell out? iVillage mums tell us what they spend on gifts for their kids' friends.

I normally spend about £5 on party presents. Every time my kids get invited to a birthday party, I also ask them to make the card for their friend themselves. This prevents spending out on a card that's soon going to end up in the bin and also, most parents and kids are very grateful that we've put some thought and effort into the card.

I also try to keep a stock of party gifts to hand so I don't end up spending more than I want to at the last minute.
seasonedmum

Even if I haven't got any parties imminent, I buy a selection of presents from Woolies when they have a '3 for 2' offer on or I buy things from the reduced section at Asda.

I buy things that will suit either a boy or a girl and that are suitable for any age group. With four kids at home, party invites seem to come in clusters i.e. three in one week. When that happens my kids go to the special party present cupboard and choose something appropriate from there. It also means I don't have the last minute present-buying panic on the way to the party either!
inomarbles

I usually spend £5 to £10. It depends on where the party is and, to be honest, who the child is. For boys, I tend to go for Bionicles by Lego. They are about £6 and are a decent pressie. They last a long time too.
mummyang

A friend told me that she sends her child along to parties with a homemade gift certificate for the birthday child. The certificate invites the birthday child to their house for tea.

It might sound like a cheap way of doing things but apparently the kids love it! That way, when the party is over and they're bored of all their presents, they can simply 'cash in' the certificate and go to a friend's house for tea! Simple, inexpensive but effective.
seasonedmum

I usually spend no more than £7 on presents and I keep an eye out for special offers on toys in places like Woolies or Toys 'R' Us. You can pick up some real bargains sometimes so if I see a great offer I will buy the toys and put them away until the next inevitable party!
lilith30

I think there is nothing worse than a child opening a present and then finding it doesn't work because there are no batteries included. I say, whatever you chose to spend, include batteries too as part of your present and keep the kids happy!
kezza

I used to spend between £5 and £7 but when my oldest son had his first party, the presents he got from his school friends were all great. It certainly made me think I needed to spend a bit more! Now I spend up to £10 on a birthday gift for kids in his class, however if it's a best friend then I may spend up to £15.
mom_kezz