gifts for kids birthday parties

14 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
14 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
14 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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she's noticed that the kids notice the presence or absence of goody bags, and is trying to be a good mom and hostess. FWIW. If goody bags are "expected" in your area, she should try to do something. It depends on the type of kids in the area Niece is crazy over the Jonas Brothers (heaven help us), and will be getting a JB pinata, and the kids can carry home whatever candy they collect in little bags. We're also going to look for the aforementioned pinwheels, or something equally inexpensive and relatively entertaining for the kiddos to take home when the party ends. I love the idea of crafts - in fact, on niece's last birthday, the kids decorated crowns and took them home (it was a princess theme), but there probably won't be enough time. The party will be scheduled for only a little over an hour, though, during which time cake and ice cream will be served and the pinata will be the primary entertainment. Don't the JB's wear 80's style sunglasses? I think they wear vests too. Maybe adding those to the party, take digital pics of everyone in their JB shades & get one vest that everyone uses for their shot, print them out and give on in a pre-decorated JB frame? Too bad the party isnt longer, she should be able to find cardboard type frames.. they can paint their names on them or something JB.. maybe glue JB pics to the frame? I have seen parties where one of the activites was their take away gift - like painted t shirts, decorated wooden frames (take pic of whole group to include), wooded vehicle sets you put together (Michael's has a bunch for $1). I love this idea For her, it isn't just a party bag -- it's a thank you gift to the friend for attending her party. If you ask her opinion, she probably think it's totally uncool not to have party bags. That's how I've always looked at goody bags as a thank you for coming Wow...never would have crossed my mind to give out goodie bags. My kids didn't, and I honestly can't remember them getting them. But then, my kids quit having kiddy parties over 10 years ago! haha. I can tell you that its a different world these days. My son is 24, gift bags weren't a big deal but these days it's all about the gift bag. I think we have Hollywood to partially blame for this.. Think Paris Hilton, star parties where they get gift bags with the latest phone or video game system. Lots of celebrity mags talk about gift bags, win the gift bag from such & such party, it's like a status symbol to get the best gift bag.
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nodakgal
14 years ago
I'd guess around $15...but that's just me.

Playdough sets are a great gift. Books are another.
barb_from_pa
14 years ago
I'm another book and play-doh fan.
paula_pa
14 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
14 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
14 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...
Adella Bedella
14 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
14 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
14 years ago
I give $10 for 11 and under $15 for 12 and up.
good36
14 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
14 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
14 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
14 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

Comments (14)

monica_pa Grieves

grammahony

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