What's an appropriate amount of cash to gift a 17yr for bday?

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My uncle sends me £40 for birthdays and Christmas as an adult. He couldn’t afford to give me much when I was younger so I think he making it up. But it honestly feels like a heck of a lot to me. So £30-40 seems very generous

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GooberRuber@reddit

My little sister got £200 from me for driving lessons. My niece got £40 towards them. Tbf I don't think either of them used the money for that but that's up to them.

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soviet_bias_good@reddit

£20 would have cut it for me.

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KingForceHundred@reddit

Bit more (or same) she got at 16. 17 isn’t a ‘special’ birthday.

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Ocean682@reddit

£30 is good, £50 if you can afford it.

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SkipsH@reddit

I was going to say that £40 seemed about right

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EstoppelByWaffle@reddit

As you say, entirely subjective and based on your principles and affordability alone.

That said, I am a very lazy gift giver, and everyone except my dear lady and parents gets a crisp £20 note in a card from me.

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nikkijxd@reddit

Most of mine get £20 spent on them, it's kinda a family rule. When I was a student it was £5 the idea was you put effort in rather than money. My parents send me £50 for birthdays still so maybe we are all a little cheap 🤣

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Tacklestiffener@reddit

everyone except

Errr... I've got nothing. By my reckoning you owe me some back-payments.

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Neither-Albatross866@reddit

Depending on your budget really, but imo, £50 or £50 gift card for a shop your niece likes (if you know which ones, or maybe a universal gift card (Love2shop for example))

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Chance-Animator4842@reddit

I've been gifted some love 2 shop over the years and spent them in Wilko's (RIP) on household essentials, then spent the money I'd saved on a nice dinner. Winner winner, posh chicken dinner

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ibxtoycat@reddit

I think this proves why gift cards are stupid though, money is fungible and you probably would've been able to get a better gift more directly if they'd given you a gift card to anywhere (known as cash)

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Squeak_Stormborn@reddit

Having cash can be a real pain. We got given £100 the other day for a present (which is obviously lovely) and it's just sitting on the shelf, waiting for one of us to go pay it in the bank. We rarly use cash for anything! Vouchers can be spent online or in store.

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Gazmaster@reddit

Go and treat yourself to a succulent Chinese meal

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Chance-Animator4842@reddit

Good point

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Lewis19962010@reddit

I'm not sure if it's a universal thing but at that age I absolutely hated using love2shop vouchers in shops that I had received. As if anyone in school was there you'd be made fun of, it spread around school and called poor for paying with vouchers.

Luckily my auntie would always trade me my vouchers for cash instead as she didn't mind using them.

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Neither-Albatross866@reddit

I guess it's just a matter of opinion. Some people prefer gift cards in my experience, so they're not walking around with cash.

But I see your point. At that age you want cash in your pocket.

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Petrichor_ness@reddit (OP)

She also loves the Brighton Lanes, I'm not sure the Love2Shop vouchers would be much good there!

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Myorangecrush77@reddit

£20 for a 17 year old.

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Vequihellin@reddit

Depends on your budget tbh. My typical gift budget is around £50 per person. If I'm buying specific items a few quid over or under doesn't matter so much, but if I'm giving cash/gift vouchers I usually opt for £50.

It also depends on your relationship to the 17yo in question. A niece or nephew would probably get more than, say, the child of one of your friends.

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Wood-Pigeon-125@reddit

I remember getting two pound coins stapled in cards from my nan but then she had maybe 20 grandkids so really quite generous 😂 I’d do with 20 quid or up to 50 if that’s affordable for you.

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Wood-Pigeon-125@reddit

No I definitely meant taped not stapled 😅

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Own-Jeweler3169@reddit

How do you staple a pound coin? Was it a very large staple or just boxed in by staples?

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CrazyMike419@reddit

Place them in the card and staple the card shut

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Own-Jeweler3169@reddit

What is the point of stapling the card? That's what an envelope is for? Also he said either two pound coins or two-pound coins were stapled. Think OC needs to clarify this imperative detail.

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CrazyMike419@reddit

To stop them getting ripped out by automatic sorting machines. The heavy coins get squeezed and thrown repeatedly at the side of the envelope if not secured. As a kid i had empty cards arrive with coin shaped dents and a hole in the side of the envelope lol.

People that arnt bonkers would just use cellotape but im guessing a few staples would work well if you are a bit of a nut.

Id also be interested in OP clarifying though lol.

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Own-Jeweler3169@reddit

Makes sense but yeah I don’t see how staples would apply in any situation 😂 it was just funny picturing either a massive staple, or the coins enclosed by staples.

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KrytenLister@reddit

two pound coins stapled in cards

That’s a heavy duty stapler.

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Looseends_io@reddit

It depends on the goal? If it’s just a gift then anything is fine. If it’s to go to an important purchase like a car, then push as far as you feel comfortable.

Personally I’m more willing to help people with life than just a birthday occasion. £100 towards a car or insurance is really meaningful.

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Tacklestiffener@reddit

I realise this might just be me but... what happened last year? We give £50 each to two nieces (17 and 20) for Christmas and birthdays. In the past two years (at least, certainly since I realised) we haven't had a thank you or even an acknowledgment.

Does it make me a Scrooge if I say "Fuck 'em" this year?

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Squeak_Stormborn@reddit

I think it's unusual for kids to go out of their way to say thank you now. If you hand it directly to them, yes - but they won't contact you.

In fairness, it was our parents that made us do it - and I just don't think they do anymore. I have friends with kids - the friends always say thank you, same with my sister in law. She's a great mum, a lovely person, always thanks us - but we've never had a thank you from the kids. I just genuinely think it's normal now, not considered rude.

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Tacklestiffener@reddit

Maybe... sadly I won't be there but it would be great to see their faces when rich uncle tacklesiffener's will is read!

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Petrichor_ness@reddit (OP)

Last year was the first year we gave her cash as she wanted a pair of New Rocks (was also a 'good luck with your exams' present too) so we don't want to be sending £200 every year!

And yes, we didn't get a thank you for the Christmas presents but by all accounts, her parents say she's turned into a proper sulky teenager. In fact, they're not sure if they have a daughter anymore or just a mouse living in her room that only ventures out at night when the house is quiet and dark.

But if I remember correctly, I wasn't the most courteous little bean when I was her age either so I'm giving her a pass.

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MrDibbsey@reddit

£20 it's not a big birthday and you're not direct family.

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ForwardImagination71@reddit

Erm, how much have you been sending her the past couple of years? Surely this isn't a brand new problem you're having?

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Petrichor_ness@reddit (OP)

Well we used to send her gifts when she was younger (which would always be hit and miss).

Then as last year was her 16th and she really wanted a pair of New Rock boots, we decided to just give her cash so she could buy her own (was also a 'good luck in your exams' gift too)

So this year, we're flying blind!

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yourefunny@reddit

Those are like £200 right? So say half was for her 16th and half for her exams. Then this year I would go £100-150 if you can afford it.

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nikkijxd@reddit

Has she got her provisional sorted? could you cover that for her?

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72dk72@reddit

The photo is free, you take it yourself and upload it, same as you can do for a passport now. :-)

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nikkijxd@reddit

Lmao, I was too busy remembering what i got for my 17th to think about modern tech maybe they could throw in some "L" plates to round it up a bit

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Imaginary_Finger7844@reddit

£50 should be enough. Even if they are an ungrateful shitehawk.

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dcute69@reddit

Personally invest £25 each month for my neices and nephews and gave them £1k each when they were born

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Wise-Pay-8993@reddit

£100 at least

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Squeak_Stormborn@reddit

We do a £25 Amazon voucher for our nephew.

I know we hate Amazon but that's what he wants. Getting from these comments we may be tight.

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Onlyfangz@reddit

My aunty always gave me £50 for birthdays and Christmas and it was great, I got £100 on my 18th and 21st as they're the big ones but £50 is a perfectly reasonable amount if you're able to comfortably afford it

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meggo91@reddit

£20

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meggo91@reddit

Maybe £50 for her 18th

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ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

So sometimes I do the age in £s but given that shes a close relationship, I'd go for £30.

If she wants to drive, maybe call it a "driving lesson voucher" but still gift as cash so she can use any instructor.

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SByolo@reddit

If she’s alternative - maybe a voucher for killstar or disturbia or drop dead? She might appreciate the more personal touch and support for the alt side of things to treat herself with!

Sometimes with cash you forget these things exist

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Petrichor_ness@reddit (OP)

Oh thank you. I haven't heard of those places (my wardrobe is mostly ASOS via Vinted and Llama leisure leggings these days!)

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Unique-Scientist8114@reddit

Hey OP, if you wanted to go the way of gift cards vs cash, EMP is an alternative online store that do gift cards here they sell lots of band merch that you won't find elsewhere etc, theres also my personal favourite Kate's Clothing who also do gift cards, however they skew a little more 'goth' than broadly 'alternative'

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Scruffy_Angel@reddit

I'd say £50 is a good amount, but if you're strapped for cash nobody's going to call you a tight arse for gifting £20

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811545b2-4ff7-4041@reddit

We've got about 9 nieces/nephews, so we cap our presents at £30, plus we have 2 kids of our own. If we had less, we'd give more. Given that you're not shelling out for birthday and Christmas presents for your own kids.. I would think at least £50 would be right.

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PM_ME_BEEF_CURTAINS@reddit

I bought my niece a lego car and £50 for driving lessons, it went down well

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ProfessorVirtual5855@reddit

Its not the amount. Its the thought.

If you are up for giving them money for a bday present. Then give what your able to afford. Not what you think you should give to get i dunno likes hugs amd kisses.

If money isnt a issue then in 2026 id say 50/100 quid if money is of no concern

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honeymeadowss@reddit

Offer to buy her a couple hours of driving lessons !!

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mattl1698@reddit

these days that's like a hundred quid. I was paying £240 for 5 hours just last year

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odkfn@reddit

I’d probably give £50 and £100 for 18th birthday but everyone’s family and affordability is different

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hesabreederbaby@reddit

£50 is good.

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tygeorgiou@reddit

I have a niece much younger also into alternative clothing. I just browse vinted / depop and get her a few hoodies, or t-shirts, or a pair of shoes.

For £50 I can get her an entire outfit each year or a nice pair of shoes, obviously when buying used you can get like 5x the amount of things for the same price.

This obviously depends on your stance of 'should you buy used as a gift' but I'd also ways prefer something used that's 5x better than something new.

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YOF626@reddit

£ 20

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Tall_Stick5608@reddit

50 pounds sounds about right on paper - however these days not much can be done or bought with 50 quid. I think 100 - 200 is more appropriate if you can afford it. I think also in a gift card format that includes popular stores someone that age enjoys like Sephora, JD, Zara and so forth.

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Ok-Constant-2683@reddit

£200 is absolutely massive from a relative, especially one you don't see often. You can get a lot of things for £50 if you aren't a mug.

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Tall_Stick5608@reddit

Really, what would a teenager buy for £50 that is meaningful?

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Ok-Constant-2683@reddit

Clothes, shoes, spend it on a night out, music...you could have answered your own question with a two seconds search on Google tbh

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Infamous_Army_ofcats@reddit

Depends if you would be expected to give a similar amount to other family members. If you can afford it, £100 would be appropriate I think, especially Alt and Goth girls have expensive taste in shoes and no doubt this would cushion her closet nicely.

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CGreen189@reddit

£30

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moreidlethanwild@reddit

£20 in a card.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

I'd probably give about £40, and £100 next year for her 18th.

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whitebelt_ric@reddit

Before he passed away, my grandad would always give the great-grandkids £50 each every birthday and Christmas. These days, my kids grandparents tend to give them £30-ish for those occasions. If you feel flush then £50+ would be absolutely acceptable imho, especially given teenagers tastes and the cost of those things these days.

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onion2077@reddit

Grandad's are legends. I miss mine, would kill to hear him chat shit just one more time

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whitebelt_ric@reddit

Same. Found the order of service from his funeral the other day when I was sorting through some stuff. Not going to lie, stopped me in my tracks for a second or two. It's been nearly 7 years since he left at the grand old age of 97.

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pigglewiggle23@reddit

For 17 I’d look into how much a few driving lessons are generally in her local area and send her the cash for that and if it’s gonna be in person when I got cash for driving lessons I also got a little toy car from my godparents “to tide me over till I got the real thing” which I thought was funny and will be doing for my own niece

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Chance-Animator4842@reddit

I'd go for any amount but something thoughtful.

We had a family friend who used to give us 50p coins when we were kids, just a kind, thoughtful man. I still think of him whenever I see one. My family recently gave me a £20 Nando’s gift card, so I’m using it to take them out for Sunday dinner and covering the rest.

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Connect_Remote2890h@reddit

i give £20. not too much or too little!

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be_sugary@reddit

Anything from 35-100 Good for a pair of expensive trainers but also £35 goes a long way in Primark!

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LordDethBeard@reddit

A new t shirt costs about £25, beers are about a £6 for a 4 pack, bus fare into town £3, Burger and fries is a tenner, so £50?

Gift vouchers are like money with restrictions, just give them the cash.

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bonjajr@reddit

£100 I think is good.

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Mental-Sample-7490@reddit

50

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OutrageousRhubarb853@reddit

What ever you decide, you have set the bar for the others who follow.

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cari-strat@reddit

There's no easy answer. We stick to a tenner as we aren't well off, my husband is one of seven and they mostly all have three or four kids. In a smaller family there may be people giving £100.

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Alone_Storage_1897@reddit

£50 premium bond

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cozywit@reddit

£10k

It is I uncle, your niece. I send you bank details.

0976885458 Sort code 097788

Thank you Much appreciate

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Haganite@reddit

I'm 26, so other than my mum's sister who still gives me gifts I don't get them off aunties and uncles any more (stopped at 21). Before that, I'd get £20 in a card, or £50 on "big birthdays" (18 & 21). Now I get the card and a box of chocolates off my two uncles (which tbh, given my sweet tooth I was counting down the days for!)

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Ok-Constant-2683@reddit

37p

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ilikecocktails@reddit

£30 is what I would usually gift

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MaximumTop6714@reddit

I agree and £50 for 18th

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Difficult_Style207@reddit

I'd do £50.

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RabbitZestyclose4957@reddit

In the UK, for a 17-year-old niece, £20–£50 is pretty standard depending on closeness. £20 is thoughtful, £30–£40 feels comfortable, £50 is generous but still normal for a birthday gift.

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Happy_Chief@reddit

TLDR; Ive no idea and probably haven't been much help.

£50 is a good and generous, but not incredible amount.

Imo it also comes down to how well off you/their family are. I've a neice from slightly poorer background who gets less in their card, but her Mum gets some cash to pay for birthday supplies. It seems stingy, but I don't want to make everyone else who gives her gifts seem cheap in her eyes, just cause I can afford more.

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