Cash gifts for a birthday: How much should you give to celebrate?. How much money is appropriate as a gift depends on various factors.
The age of the recipient often plays a role, and whether you are invited as a guest to a larger celebration. The younger the invitees, the lower the amounts that you as a host can typically expect from a monetary gift. If he doesn't explicitly want something else (for example, that you bring something home-baked, drinks or something similar to the celebration) a gift of money is often the best choice.