I know this has been asked before, but it has been a few years since it was asked, and I thought I'd see if time/economy has made much of a change in this. My daughter will be turning 4 in a couple of months. She is wanting a "pillow pet" and a board game for her birthday. Initially I thought that was fine, but now I don't know. On the one hand, I'm feeling that is kind of a lot to spend, although I don't mind getting her 2 presents. But, my sister-in-law just dropped somewhere around $170 for her 4 year old's birthday, so sometimes I feel like a cheapskate. I think most of us would agree that is an outrageous amount to spend on a 4 year olds gift(s), but is $40 reasonable? Am I being cheap, or is that still a bit high?
The pillow pets run about $25 for a large (which she is asking for) and the games are usually around $15.
First, let me say that my daughter isn't only asking for just those two items. Everytime she sees something she remotely likes, it goes on her "birthday list." These are the 2 most consistently requested items. She is still pretty set on a pillow pet, so I've decided that I'll buy her that for her birthday, along with one other item (yet to be decided).
Birthdays were never a big deal in our family, so spending $100 on a young child just seems excessive, whether I have the extra hundred or not. Looking back at similar questions asked just a few years ago, it seems people are spending more now than the were about 5 years ago. Thank you to those of you who spoke about values - I guess that is what I am more concerned about, rather than the actual money.
Wow! I'm not saying you are cheap because everyone's situation is different, but if she is only asking for two items and they are that inexpensive I personally feel that is very reasonable. Birthdays are a person's one special day to celebrate their life regardless of age.
Since she doesn't really understand money yet, and she's only asking for 2 things that aren't $100 each, I think it's perfectly fine to get her both of them. As a general rule, we spend about $20 per nieces/nephews for birthdays, and about $50 on each of our own kids. But I think there are other factors besides the price to consider sometimes. For example, this year we got our daughter a swing set. WAY more than $50, but it's really for the whole family and it's going to be around for another 10 years, not just a couple of months til she's bored with it or maybe a year when she's outgrown it.
My son just turned 6 and my duaghter is turning 5 in 2 weeks. In my house, $40-50 is reasonable for our children's birthday presents. In both of my brothers' houses $100+ is reasonable. At my SIL's homes $25 is reasonable. We live different lifestyles, have different income levels and different values. I personally don't think you are being cheap, and I would suggest putting it in the perspective of your budget and your values.
If you decide you can't/shouldn't/won't buy both items she has requested, pass the info along to others who may ask for suggestions. My mother just gave my daughter her birthday gift. In it were 3 presents that she really wanted but I wouldn't buy because we already had bought her a bike for her birthday (going a little over our normal $40-50 budget). Best wishes to you.
we spend between 30 and 40, and other people get her so many presents that she doesnt really notice. She's 3 1/2 and constantly asking "who got me this?" and then saying "that was very nice of them!" which is cute, but she has way too much stuff! There's no reason to go overboard, especially if you know other people will also be buying her presents.
Depending on your budget is how you can determine it. It's not keeping up with the Jones, but $40 is reasonable. If there are other things she would like have friends or family members get them. Good Luck!!
If that is all she wants for her birthday, count your blessings! My son (turning 4 in a week), has a list a mile long of the things he would like (and won't be getting most of it)! I think $40 is actually not much at all to spend on a birthday, so I say go for it!
My children are lucky if we spend $150 each on the 3 of them for birthdays and Christmas combined. If she's not asking for alot and you can afford to get her the 2 items she's wanting--do it. It's the thought that counts and not the price. I make a good portion of the gifts I give everyone. They don't need to know I only spent $10 on an item to make it rather than spend $75 to buy it from a retailer. Once you start buying things just to buy them, the children will come to expect that and more in the years to come. Teach them to appreciate what they get rather than to just expect it.
Meaghan H. nailed it! Be thankful that's all she wants! & yes, you're being cheap.....your child wants 2 things & that's it. Two inexpensive things to boot! Well, $25 for a pillow pet seems outrageous ---to the adult in me, but then again, I'd spend $25 for a throw pillow for the living room or a bed pillow if I wanted it! So, in the end, it's really a question of whether or not it's something which appeals to you.
I think the real question here is why this is so much an issue for you. It's not a question of what everybody else is doing, it's more a decision to be based on your own financial parameters. Find a # which fits in your fiscal & emotional boundaries, & run with it. Do what is best for your family & forget about what everybody else is doing.
& again, be thankful that's all she wants.....each birthday just gets more & more expensive! Once she's into electronics, game systems, etc.....the real nightmares begin. It's hard to stay under $100-150 just for birthdays - our son's last bike was $180 & was not top of the line, just a basic bike from Walmart!!! His XBox was $300, & the list goes on....think about how much a puppy costs in the end or a cell phone! Peace....
