Birthday gifts for school friends - how much and what do you buy?

[~me~]

Unfortunately my DD isn't Invited to school "parties" as the parents know shes diabetic and don't want the "extra work" that comes with it.

Well that is just plain wrong from those parents, I have a niece who is allergic to everything, her friends parents know and my Sister Inlaw just provides the food she can eat and it all works out.

Usually around $20 here for the kids school friends.

I tend to buy what I think my kids would like or what I would have liked. It really depends on what is 'in' at the time as to what I get. I also ask my DS's if they know what the birthday child is into and go from there.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Oh wow. My DS has a dairy allergy and is invited to parties, although I don't know how many have excluded him. There's no way a child should be excluded because of a medical issue!

For me, depends how close DS is to the child, or I am to the parents. Books or jigsaws usually go down well for either gender (about £10), but for a little girl DS didn't even know from his new class at school, under £5 for some fairy wings, fairy wand and a card. Cheap science toys are great for slightly older children. I bought DS a solar-powered grasshopper you have to make yourself for under £5 (all electrical componants etc provided in box).

I try to avoid high-heeled play shoes, barbies (etc) or attack toys, including things like Jedi/X-Men stuff. Does rule out quite a bit, but only my SiL has ever complained (to my face, at least) about her children being given books. Unless I know the mother/child in question adores the stuff.