My daughters are just turning the age where birthday Parties at school are becoming a regular event. Towards the end of last year, they must have attended over 8 parties between them over a 4 month period.

They loved it, my partner felt that it was an obligation to attend given we were invited, I found it annoying that my weekends where taken up by Kids Parties that I didn’t even know. In fact in some cases, my kids hardly new these kids, it’s just that they are in the same class.

Going through my credit card statement around the same time, I found expenses at particular stores for $30, $25 and remember asking my wife what they were for. Presents for parties was the answer. So what is the rule for buying gifts for kids parties? Our policy at home is that if they are a relative and an adult, we spend $50 unless it is a milestone birthday. For friends it could be about the same or slightly less.

Personally $30 for a gift for a child my kids hardly know is a bit much. $20 is more than enough, unless I know that the cost of the party (eg each child) is over $20 and then I would be questioning why my child was invited in the first place.

Parents need to get smarter with who they invite to kids parties. No body wants their kids to have a party and only a few people turn up but inviting people just to make up numbers isn’t fair on other parents either. Thing is you then need to reciprocate, it is never ending.