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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy

Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name: Momx100
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How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
My friend's friend invited us to her son's first birthday party. I am not sure how much I should spend on a gift. We have mutual friends in common but I have only met this person once. It will be a fancy party.
How much should I spend on a gift?
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Posted 6/25/12 8:56 PM |
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Long Island Weddings
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A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name: Mommy
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How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
$25
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Posted 6/25/12 9:05 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy

Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name: Momx100
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
Posted by A3CM
$25
Is it ok to spend that little for a fancy party? The whole family will be attending.
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Posted 6/25/12 9:06 PM |
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spa118
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 2157 total posts
Name: Shari
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
I think its odd to be invited to a fancy party if you only met them once. I probably wouldn't go - I wouldn't want to spend a lot of $ on a person I hardly know. For most birthdays I've given/received gifts around $25 for acquaintances/neighbors, up to $100 for very close friends.
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Posted 6/25/12 10:49 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!

Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
Hmmm... my instinct is to say that $25 sounds right, because that's a fine gift for a first birthday of a child you don't really know. But when they're having it at a fancy place, it gets sticky. I can't imagine you're expected to "cover your plate" for a first birthday, but, if you're getting 3 (or more?) seats there, $25 doesn't sound right anymore.
Do you have to go?
Message edited 6/25/2012 10:53:57 PM.
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Posted 6/25/12 10:51 PM |
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KwaaksNest
Love my boys!

Member since 6/10 2825 total posts
Name: Samantha
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
$25
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Posted 6/25/12 11:45 PM |
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finallyhere
LIF Infant
Member since 6/12 205 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
$20
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Posted 6/25/12 11:50 PM |
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Reese32
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 3631 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
$20-25. There's no need to "cover your plate" at a child's birthday party, IMO. And if you don't know the child that well, then there's no need to spend a ton of money. There are plenty of great toys out there for 1 year olds in that price range.
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Posted 6/26/12 9:13 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!

Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
I totally disagree with the responses above.
Some cultures (Korean, from my experience, is one of them) have the first birthday be a HUGE thing (think like a Christening). I read it was due to the very low number of infants that traditionally survived to that year mark... so it was a celebration of a baby that would grow to adulthood.
The last big 1st birthday I went to was at a wedding hall with a full meal & entertainment. We def. upped what we thought we would give. I now think of those events as Christenings.
An option if you are unsure is to bring a toy gift for child & a blank check.
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Posted 6/26/12 9:27 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult

Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
What about getting a personalized Towel and some bubble bath and a few bath toys?
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Posted 6/26/12 9:36 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!

Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name: Kerry
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
$20
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Posted 6/26/12 9:38 AM |
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Lucky09
2017!
Member since 1/06 7539 total posts
Name: DW
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
I would lean towards $75-$100 if your whole family is going plus a small toy/gift for the child.
When you say "fancy party" I am envisioning a wedding-type venue...
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Posted 6/26/12 3:32 PM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
Posted by dlj97
What about getting a personalized Towel and some bubble bath and a few bath toys?
i would probably do something like this.
IMO who cares where the party is held and how fancy it is. Its not your problem if this person chose to throw a fancy party for a 1st bday. I would give the same gift if it was held at fancy place or in someones house. I use the same logic for a christening gift also
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Posted 6/26/12 3:47 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy

Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name: Momx100
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
Posted by nycgirl
I totally disagree with the responses above.
Some cultures (Korean, from my experience, is one of them) have the first birthday be a HUGE thing (think like a Christening). I read it was due to the very low number of infants that traditionally survived to that year mark... so it was a celebration of a baby that would grow to adulthood.
The last big 1st birthday I went to was at a wedding hall with a full meal & entertainment. We def. upped what we thought we would give. I now think of those events as Christenings.
An option if you are unsure is to bring a toy gift for child & a blank check.
It is an Asian family. I think they were trying to be nice by inviting us. We are new to the area and they know a lot of people.
I'm thinking of just giving a $100 gift card to toys r us and calling it a day.
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Posted 6/26/12 3:47 PM |
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Lucky
Growing up fast!

Member since 4/07 12683 total posts
Name: Dawn
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Re: How much to spend on 1st birthday gift for someone I only met once?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by nycgirl
I totally disagree with the responses above.
Some cultures (Korean, from my experience, is one of them) have the first birthday be a HUGE thing (think like a Christening). I read it was due to the very low number of infants that traditionally survived to that year mark... so it was a celebration of a baby that would grow to adulthood.
The last big 1st birthday I went to was at a wedding hall with a full meal & entertainment. We def. upped what we thought we would give. I now think of those events as Christenings.
An option if you are unsure is to bring a toy gift for child & a blank check.
It is an Asian family. I think they were trying to be nice by inviting us. We are new to the area and they know a lot of people.
I'm thinking of just giving a $100 gift card to toys r us and calling it a day.
If $100 seems reasonable to you and it's within your budget, then I think that is a very nice gift.
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Posted 6/26/12 4:57 PM |
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