Same here too, when my little uns' were at Reception Age and early infants the amount of parties was relentless, felt almost every other weekend, but as above it'll soon dwindle to smaller affairs with your child's group of friends, more recent get together's now seem to consist of a smaller group being taken to the cinema, bowling or other similar activity at birthday times.
Am I making too much of this?
- Thread starter Resident
- Start date
Same here too, when my little uns' were at Reception Age and early infants the amount of parties was relentless, felt almost every other weekend, but as above it'll soon dwindle to smaller affairs with your child's group of friends, more recent get together's now seem to consist of a smaller group being taken to the cinema, bowling or other similar activity at birthday times.
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Aug 2003
- Posts
- 8,540
- Location
- Essex
That LOL stuff never sells for RRP. It's always on sale.
My kids like LOL. They have never ever been £100 for a doll. The more expensive ones that are like barbies are £25. You have "rare" ones but they dont retail at £100, they retail at the standard price.
The OMG dolls are usually RRP but they are occasionally on clearance for £15 from Argos which i assume the OPs wife got it from. No chance £100
The OMG dolls are usually RRP but they are occasionally on clearance for £15 from Argos which i assume the OPs wife got it from. No chance £100
I expect they will be unwrapping the presents with all the other kids and parents in the room during the party as is the norm. Imagine this doll being opened up and the other parents being almost certainly aware what they cost RRP and seeing that emerge from the wrapping whilst everyone else has given presents that are in the £15~ range - Would be a bit awks 
A diplomatic conversation with the mrs needs to be had, emphasis on diplomatic
Alternatively maybe as mentioned above the RRP is just that, the RRP and they're always on sale so it;s a non issue.
A diplomatic conversation with the mrs needs to be had, emphasis on diplomatic
Alternatively maybe as mentioned above the RRP is just that, the RRP and they're always on sale so it;s a non issue.
For those asking how I got the RRP ~ £100
I googled the product by name:
Cheapest result
https://www.onbuy.com/gb/poopsie-56...dBxExBOK_ZlxeutMPqwft20GIkFmUoOBoCoVwQAvD_BwE
The most expensive was £124.
So I split the difference.
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Apr 2013
- Posts
- 13,767
- Location
- La France
Back when my daughters were 5-6 in the early 2000s, it was an unofficially agreed £5 limit for kids birthday presents and parties weren’t lavish affairs, just some games following by sandwiches and cake.
Worked out nicely for all concerned. As the girls narrowed down their circles of friends, you could spend a little more on presents and take the 3-4 friends out to the zoo or the cinema instead of just having the same colouring and cake party at the birthday girls house.
Worked out nicely for all concerned. As the girls narrowed down their circles of friends, you could spend a little more on presents and take the 3-4 friends out to the zoo or the cinema instead of just having the same colouring and cake party at the birthday girls house.
To note cheapest on me sticking in 561095 poopsie is £44 and many others around £50 but that doesn't change what she paid for it as long as the other parents are okay with it.
https://www.gordonsstore.com/products/product-details/910
I can't believe no one has asked if OP's wife has a letter box yet?!
But yeah, regardless of what it actually cost I think it is probably a bit much. However at 5 years old kids don't really fully understand the "value" of money fully and so the issue is more likely to be with the parents. If they are cool with it then seems OK.
But yeah, regardless of what it actually cost I think it is probably a bit much. However at 5 years old kids don't really fully understand the "value" of money fully and so the issue is more likely to be with the parents. If they are cool with it then seems OK.
It's probably too much and setting a precedent if you go to another childs birthday party.
The gift needs to be something that you need to be able to afford to buy multiple times (or something of similar value).
It's a shame kids don't have wishlists.
The gift needs to be something that you need to be able to afford to buy multiple times (or something of similar value).
It's a shame kids don't have wishlists.
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Jul 2003
- Posts
- 2,843
- Location
- Cheshire
Perceived value is what's important not actual purchase cost, poor etiquette to turn up with a present that's far more expensive than everyone else (especially if it's more expensive than parents/grandparents have spent) although it'll get the tongues wagging in the playground before school, bitchy lot those mums
My Mrs is a bargain hunter and never spends more than £5-£15 on a gift, but most will be £20-£50 items that have been on sale at stupid prices. She's been quizzed about it several times and when she explains how much, when the sale was etc, the only reaction was positive and usually followed by her then being asked to share tips and give people the heads up.. i.e. educate people on shopping smarter..
So I'd be OK with it..
And just checking, whilst not the same kit, you can get 14" LOL Surprise Dolls at Smyths for £14.99 (RRP £32), is a 'special' worth £100.. no.. hell it's nor even worth £30 IMO, you can't compare people selling at 'collectors' rates etc.. most parents would see the £14.99 dolls in Smyths and think that's what you paid..
So I'd be OK with it..
And just checking, whilst not the same kit, you can get 14" LOL Surprise Dolls at Smyths for £14.99 (RRP £32), is a 'special' worth £100.. no.. hell it's nor even worth £30 IMO, you can't compare people selling at 'collectors' rates etc.. most parents would see the £14.99 dolls in Smyths and think that's what you paid..
I don't have kids but this is applicable to this like wedding presents etc.
If it really is worth 100 I'd definitely not give it.
Doesn't matter what it cost.
It's why I hate present giving.
Other people might feel that they didn't give enough. Or if next party you give a 10 quid present that could also cause fuss.
Or like others said. It's more than the parents gift. Awkward!
This is one of those stupid social things that's like a game. It shouldn't be. But it is.
If it really is worth 100 I'd definitely not give it.
Doesn't matter what it cost.
It's why I hate present giving.
Other people might feel that they didn't give enough. Or if next party you give a 10 quid present that could also cause fuss.
Or like others said. It's more than the parents gift. Awkward!
This is one of those stupid social things that's like a game. It shouldn't be. But it is.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Mar 2013
- Posts
- 9,463
If kids had wishlists, everything from smyths would be on it
.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2012
- Posts
- 5,492
- Location
- Eastbourne
Books from the works, they're £5 for 10 or something they're good books and it's not the normal rubbish toy.
Last edited:
Books from work? I’ll report back after I give my niece a HMRC Income Manual for her birthday next month.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2012
- Posts
- 5,492
- Location
- Eastbourne
The Works. But you know what they say, knowledge is power..
That seems about right for a childs school friend, at that age they could potentially end up going to a party for most of the class so you could have 20+ presents to buy.
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Sep 2013
- Posts
- 12,666
Is this really what middle-class people with disposable income fuss over - How much you gift and how much you show up other parents? Goodness me, Mr Darcy, could you ever imagine such scandal??!!
Jeez... Kinda makes me glad we're poor. Everyone can afford more than us anyway, so we're not fussed!!
But then, we also have friends who aren't especially rich either, which is precisely why presents don't get opened in front of everyone else!!
TBH, I'd be more upset at the idea of everyone gifting £15 worth of cheap tat. That just perpetuates the cycle of £15 tat presents that only end up being regifted anyway or chucked away to landfill... alongside office parties and Secret Santas that support the massive market full of tat retailers that hinges on such things. Better to end the whole thing and have all the parents club together (£15 equally, if you like), to either fund one nice big present or instead pay for one kick-ass party.
Jeez... Kinda makes me glad we're poor. Everyone can afford more than us anyway, so we're not fussed!!
But then, we also have friends who aren't especially rich either, which is precisely why presents don't get opened in front of everyone else!!
TBH, I'd be more upset at the idea of everyone gifting £15 worth of cheap tat. That just perpetuates the cycle of £15 tat presents that only end up being regifted anyway or chucked away to landfill... alongside office parties and Secret Santas that support the massive market full of tat retailers that hinges on such things. Better to end the whole thing and have all the parents club together (£15 equally, if you like), to either fund one nice big present or instead pay for one kick-ass party.