The top three costs are £108 on gifts, £69 on a party venue and £68 on party food, the research from American Express found.

Parents also shell out £61 on average for the birthdays of friends and relatives’ children. This includes £25 on gifts, £21 on new outfits and £15 on entertainment (such as tickets and entrance fees) per child’s birthday.

Here, American Express offers the following tips for parents planning their child’s birthday celebrations:

1. Shop early– Start hunting for gifts and party items early as it will give you time to comparison shop. You will also avoid last-minute panic shopping for anything you have forgotten.
2. Venue – If you are not keen to host a party in your own home, a picnic or barbeque in the park can be perfect for a summer party – just remember to check the forecast.
3. Entertainment – Embrace free activities rather than hiring a performer. You might have friends or family members who have interesting hobbies to entertain the kids, otherwise be prepared with a few activities like musical chairs, Simon Says or an egg and spoon race.
4. Party bags – While these items are usually small they can drive up costs, so why not make them yourself? It’s also a fun activity for your child to get involved in. One of the simplest ways to do this is to fill clear cellophane bags with sweets (which could also be homemade) or pocket-money toys, and tie with a colourful ribbon.
5. Host a joint party– Find out if one of your child’s friends has a birthday around the same date, so you can plan a joint party with their parents. Your child will get to share the day with a friend and you’ll save money by splitting the cost of the party.