Okay, not sure what to do as we are leaving in 45 minutes for a birthday party that DS (8) got invited to. I asked DH to pick up a present for him yesterday.
So just now I ask DH where the present is so that I can wrap it. And I discover he paid $30 for it (and it's heavy and large, so it looks like an expensive present). Normally I stick to $15/present for kids, $20-25 if they're relatives or children of my best friends. DS and this boy are good friends, though he's not his best buddy.
But they're a fairly modest family--by that I mean they're financially fine but they live very modestly and don't flaunt things; they gave DS a book for his birthday, which I think is about right. I know the mother will think goodness, why did they give such a big present! Should I say something to her? ("DS saw this and really wanted the birthday boy to have it?"). She's recently been through quite a bit this year with illness and I don't want her to think we were feeling sorry for her DS. We're friendly, and I really like her, but have only known each other for a year; I've helped out with their DS a bit during her treatments, but I can't say we're really close.
Too late to exchange it, plus DS would be upset because he really did pick it out himself according to DH.
Not a huge problem, but curious what others think. Does $30 sound over-the-top for an eight year old? Maybe I'm too cheap...in which case it's not an issue at all!
