What are your "rules" when it comes to buying gifts?

cheepo on 01/07/2016 - 11:45
Last edited 01/07/2016 - 11:45

I'm curious to know what people's take is on this and how most people decide how much to spend on a gift for close family members and friends. Not the people you regard as acquaintances or those family members you see once and while but those you buy for gifts at least once or maybe twice a year. Perhaps for their birthday and Christmas, if you celebrate it. I think buying gifts for partners can vary alot among people. Some who I know that have been in long term relationships have almost stopped buying gifts whilst others in relatively new relationship spend above their means (on expensive jewellery, new car, holiday etc.)

There are obviously many variables and I'm sure most people take their own finances into account first and foremost but outside of this criteria, how do you decide and do you have certain set of rules you follow when it's your turn to buy gifts? Do you ever change those rules according to what you've previously received? Do you like to regift in order to save spending money on gifts? Do you have an agreed budget with the person on how much to spend every year?

What are your thoughts on this and what are your gift buying rules?

General Discussion

Comments

  • poboy on 01/07/2016 - 11:50
    +2

    For a non-nuclear family gift, I buy something that looks like it's valued at $30-$50. That may mean that I got it on sale for half that.

    I don't buy friends gifts. It's just not done.

    • cheepo on 01/07/2016 - 12:13

      I normally have the same budget for family but will gladly spend more on milestone birthdays and special occasions. If I get something on sale or which has been heavily discounted, then I normally still spend a bit more to reach the "gift budget" and regard it as more of a bonus for them. Particularly if it's for young kids.

      As for friends, they would normally still get gifts year after year despite not getting anything in return from some. I wouldn't spend alot on these friends anyway so it has never been a concern but going forward, I think I may need to re-evaluate this on a person to person basis. Just to be fair.

    • the-mal on 01/07/2016 - 13:39

      Ahh see this raises an interesting one. If you get a gift on sale does the RRP or the Sale Price count as the value of the gift?

      I tend to think if I score something on sale for a friends gift then it gives me more money to spend on them. But I know others think the same way as you and work on the RRP of the gift.

      • cheepo on 01/07/2016 - 14:24

        I would more inclined to regard the sale price towards the value of the gift and not the RRP but it would depend on the quality of the item and what the difference is between the RRP and sale price.

        If my budget is $50 and I pick up something reduced from $50 to $10, then I would want to spend another $40. If my budget is still $50 and I'm lucky to pick up something reduced from $100 to $30, then I would probably stop there.

        Also taking into account who I'm buying for and what time of the year it is. The budget and patience is obviously stretched around Christmas time. I want to avoid facing the horde of people in shopping centres and try to make the experience a quick and painless one - if I can help it.

  • BigTed on 01/07/2016 - 12:24
    +3

    I will buy presents for my wife and children.
    I do not buy gifts for anyone else unless I have to go to a party (ie engagement party, wedding, birthday party) where gifts are expected.
    The wife insists on buying gifts for the nieces/nephews - but just because her bloody sister buys for our kids.
    I'm trying to break her of that habit.
    Of course, I am a scrooge.

    • the-mal on 01/07/2016 - 13:40
      +2

      A Scrooge on OzBargain? Surely not!

  • CyberMurning on 01/07/2016 - 13:51
    +1

    Check drawers for previous impulse buying from ozbargain.com.au

    Nothing sharp ie knife sword axe

  • lupiter on 01/07/2016 - 14:43

    I am willing to spend a lot on my family, especially if it is something they definitely need/use. I wouldn't buy them expensive jewellery, but I do buy things >$200 if I think it's worthwhile (appliances, computers). OTOH I try and spend as little as I can on my parents-in-law. They're rich and don't need any of the "stuff" I could give them so I just try and fine something $20-$30 that looks nice.

    Close friends get gifts for milestone birthdays (21, 40 etc) and everyone for the usual occasions: engagement, marriage, baby shower.

  • bobbified on 01/07/2016 - 18:08

    I'll either buy something good or I won't buy anything at all - lots of the little gifts, particularly the ones we might feel obligated to buy - always seem to end up in the rubbish or it just goes to waste.

    I'd much rather spend on something nice to see a real smile on the person's face. There's no budget and it never comes with any expectations. I simply bought it for them because I wanted to. It could be anything that I know that they have really wanted but haven't been able to afford, etc. And it does't even need to be a special occasion.

    On the other side of it, I never judge a gift by what it is - it's what's behind it and what I think it means to the person who bought it. It says a lot to me if a friend has $200 and earns very little is willing to spend $100 on a present vs someone who earns $5000 week and spends $500 on a any random expensive present.

  • fruit on 01/07/2016 - 18:15
    +1

    No gift cards, I'd rather give people cash

  • Findo on 01/07/2016 - 19:54

    Family and close friends I will spend enough to make them happy, and get stuff that has some real value. I spent roughly $250 on two kids I almost consider my own for their birthdays. For other friends that aren't terribly close I'll see what others are doing and go from there - usually buying a round or two of drinks will suffice.

  • altomic on 01/07/2016 - 21:13
    +2

    When that $50(?) Rebel sport /newspaper subscription happened a few years ago I gave the voucher to my sister-in-law plus a regular gift ($100 pamper package). The $50 voucher was just a bonus. She liked it (as she plays netball and needs stuff). If I get things free or heavily discounted then I usually won't pass them off as "the whole gift". I still give something else that " has been paid for" or a series of things of acquired goods that were attained cheaply but have a realistic value or an "appreciated" value to the receiver. Value isn't necessarily in how much you spent but how the receiver appreciates the gift.

  • xoom on 02/07/2016 - 03:50

    Family and very close friends. I spend whatever it is they may need. All within my means obviously. If i cant pay for it in full or have to borrow money to get said item. Then its too much and i dont buy it.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2016 - 11:47

    I try to buy them the perfect gift, either something they want, or something they need. (It's no use getting someone who has a full time job gift cards). If they don't need anything, then i won't get them anything. In that case i may make something for them, or do something for them, out take them out somewhere.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join