Buying presents for friends......

[fleebee]

Does anyone have any good ideas what to do about buying presents for friend's children. There is a big group of us and some have more than one child, some more than two and it is just getting very expensive for birthdays.....what do other people do? Some have suggested just presents for parties, stop altogether, names out of a hat but that wont work as some have more than one child......any ideas?

[Figgipuddin]

I also have a big grp of friends with children so I can empathise. What we have decided to do is to have a cap on gift prices, so �10 for b-days per child, and �5 per child @ xmas time. With the big families board games appear to be a hit when cash is tight. However I am not sure how old the children are. In my case they are teenagers or soon to be teenagers so this works well. Sometimes vouchers for their favourite shops might be an answer. Good luck, hope this helps a little.

[annie0000]

In general, we don't buy presents for our friends kids unless they are going along to their birthday party. The exception is our closest friends daughter. As we have 2 boys and they only have the one child, we tend to buy her a present from each of the boys and they would buy the boys a present each from her. So that it kind of balances out. We tend to ask in advance what they would like so that it is not just buying something for buying sake. e.g. at christmas time the boys really wanted a specific wii game, as that is quite expensive they bought it between them. I have to say though, that although it seems like a cop out, my kids are happy to get �5 in a card rather than something bought to that value, then they put it together with other money to buy something they do want - they are 8 and 7.

[CrazyCathy]

In our village most of the children know each other and as mums we're all close. One of the mums suggested dropping the present idea altogether which is what we have done as everyone semed to try to outdo each other. The same goes for party bags a thing of the past.

Until that time I used to buy anything that was on offer but as my children are small it is easier when they get older must be a nightmare.

I still buy for my best friend's children and her for mine but we're more like sisters

[luwarm]

Throughout the year I buy any cheap or reduced bits and bobs that I find in the shops. I put these in a big box in my wardrobe. When a birthday comes along I just go to this box and find something to give. I also apply the same principle for christmas stocking fillers for my kids. This saves stress and a ton of cash.

[joannie10]

you often find that everyone is just waiting for someone to suggest not to buy anything for the children - it does get too costly and I best like most kids they get plenty anyway?

[Jenga]

You can buy mugs for as little as around �1. I saw the 99p shop doing mugs with matching coaster for 99p and they were nice looking. Obviously for a more older child. If you look around these pound shops that keep springing up you can see some things worth buying. I saw some lovely wings that little girls would love, bright pink and feathery. Stationey like pencil cases and crayons you can get cheap.