gifts for kids birthday parties

16 years ago

We've been invited to 2 parties for children of our co-workers. Money is tight, and the kids who we've been invited to the party are turning 2, 2, and 4. One party is for a 2 year old boy and the other is a joint party for 2 and 4 year old sisters.

I don't want to spend $100 on gifts for the month of September. What is an acceptable amount to spend or type of gift to bring? We said no gifts when Brody turned one. He didn't understand or care about gifts at age one.

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Comments (14)

monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
$10...or you can just decline the invitation. Last I heard, an invitation to a b-day party does not require a gift if you decline.
grammahony
16 years ago
I'd just get them a Wiggles DVD or whatever is popular now. Colorbook and crayons/washable markers. A book with those thick pages and colorful pictures in it.
Leslie
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I guess I feel pretty lucky--my DD has a small class, only 14 students. I would agree that inviting 40 kids is excessive. I'm assuming there are two classes for SD's grade? Could you do something where she only invites her particular class? Or what about just the girls? My DD's school seems to be low-key. Last year, only a handful of kids had bday parties; a few invited the whole class, but two girls just invited the girls, and I think 2 boys had boys-only parties, as well. We just had an issue with BM about this. SS's bday is coming up and she wanted him to have it at this very expensive indoor trampoline place----the party room (that you HAVE to rent) is $175. Then it is an additional $14.75 PER jumper and there is a 10 person minimum. So that's $322 already. This does not include cake or drinks or goodie bags or anything. There are 23 kids in SS's class and SS's mom felt he should be able to invite the entire class. DH just told her that it is ridiculous to spend $500-600 on a 7 year old's birthday party and that she (or we) would have to find something more reasonable. Well, then they got in a big argument b/c she was saying they would split the cost this year (normally, DH pays) and DH said that wasn't the point----that even if they did cut the cost down the middle, it was just too extravagant of a party. We normally spend $150-$200 for a party. DD's birthday is 6 weeks after SS's, so we have to be financially mindful of planning for two parties relatively close together, as well.
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From Emily Post "Q: I am throwing a birthday party for my son and want to invite his whole class. I donÂt want other parents to be inconvenienced and would rather this be a B-day party with no gifts. Of course we will have a dinner and give presents from family and close friends after the class party is over. How do I let parents who I donÂt know well know that they should not bring gifts? A: Gifts are expected for birthday and anniversary parties, but when honorees really donÂt want presents, their wishes should be respected. In the past, any reference to gifts on invitations was considered in poor taste, because guests were assumed to know the occasions when gifts were obligatory, and even today, itÂs incorrect to mention gifts on wedding invitations. But in light of the current gifts-for-every craze, itÂs a courtesy to inform guests when presents are not expected. The etiquette is to write "No gifts, please" at the bottom of the invitation Â or to tell invitees when inviting them in person or by phone. When you receive an invitation with such a request, it should be honored. Showing up with a present when asked not to would embarrass the hosts, the honoree, and other guests who, correctly, didnÂt bring anything. If you want to give a special token of affection, you may do so at another time." See - it's fine to put "no gifts, please" on your invites. And I don't see anything wrong with having folks bring a dish to share instead of gifts. Do what you want and have fun!
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nodakgal
16 years ago
I'd guess around $15...but that's just me.

Playdough sets are a great gift. Books are another.
barb_from_pa
16 years ago
I'm another book and play-doh fan.
paula_pa
16 years ago
I spend about $15 on Nick's classmates. Parties only come up every once and a while for us. You can ask what kind of things they enjoy or just wing it.

Books are usually safe. There are so many interesting ones and they're great for all ages. You can get pop-up ones, magnetic dress-up ones, etc.
teresava
16 years ago
Children of your co-workers? Are you really "friends" with these people? If not, I don't see why you couldn't politely decline. Or if you'd like to go...scour the bargain bins/clearance at Barnes & Noble or Borders. You can usually find a nice book or two there and the parents won't know what you spent.

We usually spend $10-15 dollars on other kids parties.
susanjf_gw
16 years ago
you know what dgd just got from us? 2 dresses from target (size 2, $2.98 apiece) a skort, target $1.98..and finally the most expensive (kohls not the great buys) a hoodie and poncho, $20.

i just can't see spending big bucks on kids clothes that last 6 months...

yes, the other granny spent ?? on some sort of doll house...(she has just the 2 we have soon to be 8 grands)

another great gift is books. check around though somethimes even the biggies have sales.

dd's sil found a little tee and added 2 bottles of non-toxic nail polish for babies, lol...

dd1 took a giant ceramic piggie bank from michaels and decorated it...it had on a "blankie" (felt square) and some tassles (she made) it was adorable...she added some loose change for a start...

underware was a hit. dgd is trying to go potty by herself..one gf of dd2's tie-dyed trainers...lol...
User
16 years ago
I'd spend up to $15 per child and call it good. You can find some awesome deals on clothes right now. JC Penney, Childrens Place, and GAP had some great sales this weekend. For boys, get something with a character on it. For girls, just think pink and girly.

Another recommendation... Crayola makes markers that only write on special paper. I think they are called 'wonder markers'. You find them in the school supplies section. It's usually sold as a set with the markers and paper/coloring book. These are more expensive, but they are nice because you don't get artwork over the house.
azzalea
16 years ago
I think you can definitely get a nice gift for $10 per child. Books are always a wonderful gift. Do you have an Atlantic Bookstore in your area? You could get several nice childrens books there for well under $10. Or check the clearance racks in the clothing depts. of Kohl's, Target or even WM--hit or miss, of course, but you only need to find one nice outfit for each child.

Or, if you are handy, perhaps you could make something? Stuffed animals from some fabric scraps, wooden toys. A wooden tick tack toe board (made on a wooden box to hold the pieces) for the oldest child.

Check the children's craft aisle at Michaels or AC Moores--they usually have some inexpensive activities for kids.
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
I give $10 for 11 and under $15 for 12 and up.
good36
16 years ago
$10 a child is plenty. Mine would have been thrilled with a gift card to walmart, target, k-mart or toy store. You can never go wrong with Books, parents and kids love them.
mariend
16 years ago
If you have a big lots in your area they have some real cute pull toys for a reasonable amount and they are Fisher Price brand. Or check other stores for pull toys, puzzles, or books
trinitytx
16 years ago
I say $10 is really a reasonable gift price for kids under 10. Bath toy gifts are my favorite. Nobody every thinks of that, yet they are so welcome in my home. A hit of bubbles, some stick to the wall letters, and a float toy can be a lot of fun for the kids, and gives mom some much needed time to cook dinner.

Trin
sheilajoyce_gw
16 years ago
For little ones, an inexpensive gift is fine. They might like a book, and lots of stores have sales with the economy being what it is. I don't see the need to shower toddlers with all sorts of fancy gifts. Buy a set of bathtub toys or a nice book, and do look at the sale bin as mentioned above. Something simple. We got DGS at 2 a cute golf club and bag set for $7 from the drug store toy section. He loves it.

gifts for kids birthday parties

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monica_pa Grieves

grammahony

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