Generally said: It's your choice how much you'd like to spend. But: I have two girls, age 6 & 9 and learned that the average amount is around 10 to 15 CHF. Can be a bit less or more, depending on the relationship and your personal preferences.
This is in Zurich, mostly swiss families or binational (one parent swiss or european). I - as a mother - see that my kids are happy with what they get. The expensive gifts are not seen as "better", therefore it's a waste of money if you buy expensive gifts.
I started asking the mother of the birthday kid beforehand if the child has a specific wish. If yes - perfect for me, because it's easier to fulfill it and to make a child happy. If no - well, I'll find something suitable with the help of my own children .
I would say: It's your money, your shopping habits and the gift will be your gesture. Irrelevant to what others do with their money and what gesture they want to give-it's not a competition and therefore no one should feel pressured to 'keep up'. If they do, that's really their problem. If one can't afford an expensive gift--there are always very cheap option, which might require a bit of imagination and effort-they can always take that route.
What a crazy thread! You spend what you think appropriate we normally get the presents in neighbouring country and pay under 10euros and the gifts look like 40CHF gifts. The thought matters not the aount you spent unless you want to leave the sticker on the gift to show how mich you spent
Thanks all! Yup, I agree, a bit of a crazy thread. Nonetheless it is nice to know if one is committing a faux-pas, however small. Now if I could just grow the perfect window box of geraniums, my life here will be set...
I'm with Kanga, 10-15 on average. For the BFFs will spend more if I know what they want. I think it is great here how kids aren't as hooked on having it all. Although I will admit I was surprised when my daughter got a pencil from one kid and some elastic hair ties from another last year - but at least I knew I wasn't spending too little on gifts we give
I did like the system we had in Germany where most kids would go to the local store and pick out stuff and put it in the birthday basket and you could pick from it. Made things soooo much easier. There, on average, the most expensive thing would be 15€, with many items costing only a few euros
Did anyone used to watch Lillyhammer? This thread reminds me of one particular episode at a childs birthday party.
American gangster, hiding in Norway, befriends woman, turns up at party for her kid with Apple mac, the kid is like 5. haha. All the other kids have small normal type toys but the kid drops them all for Mac. Mums not happy gangster bought a mac for her small son.
Then the oddball family's son turns up, bit different to the other kids, poor and kind of hippy family, turns up with a present and gives it to the boy.........it's a stick.
I try and find something the kid might find fun. Doing this is the hardest part.
Prices range from 15 to 30 chf I guess.
It is so much easier when you know the parents and can ask them what they are in to.
Most of my daughters friends (and mine) are into Monster High. Anorexic teenage doll monsters with way too short skirts. This was my last present purchase but I would never by one of those without knowing it was ok.