Kids' Party

[creampie]

My little boy (4) has been invited to a birthday party. It's the usual bouncy castle in a leisure centre for the whole class type of thing. We've been to a few in exactly the same place for others in the class.

This time, it's for 3 children instead of 1. I usually spend around £5-6 on presents. Would it be unreasonable to split this between the 3 children in terms of gifts? Is this really tight? Only £18 seems a lot to spend for an hour on a bouncy castle and a bit of cake. If you think this is reasonable, any suggestions for gifts for £2-3? Boys and girls.

I probably am BU. After all it's not the kids fault. I should probably just be grateful I only have to endure one party instead of 3....

[OutragedFromLeeds]

Do they want a present each? It's standard procedure here to bring one present and they're shared out at the end.

YABU to view the cost of the present as an 'entry fee' to the party.

For cheap gift ideas have a look over in the Christmas section, there loads of great bargains there. Or maybe get a set of books from Book People and split it in three? Or look in Home Bargains/wilko they will have something.

[Billygoats]

If that's all you can afford then YANBU.

You can get plenty for £3, colouring books and crayons, a book (places like the works do lovely books at bargain prices, look in all the sales there seems to be just lately. Do you have a bargain shop such as b and m's or poundland? You are not obliged to spend any certain amount.

[HayDayQueen]

If you're looking at it as how much they've spent, would you spend less on a child's present if the party was held it at their own home without entertainer costs?

We're doing the same thing (you're not coming to our party, are you?!) and tbh I'm still spending as much on the party as I would have holding a party on my own. The food is a bit nicer, the party bags a LOT better, sole use of the venue, etc.

How else do you fit summer born children's parties in at the end of the year without doubling or tripling up, anyway? Can't hold it in the summer as too many people go away.

[StandardHeight]

Th children and their parents should be grateful for whatever gift you get them. But what you can afford to buy. But I do Agee that it shouldn't be based on 3 kid party so split the present fund. Parties are expensive, I joined my ds party with another. Put it this way. If they come to your child's party should they spend the split amount or not. Just spend what you can afford.

[BlackDaisies]

I would just spend what you can afford. When my little girl has parties she'll get a range of different presents. She obviously has no idea of prices and will often get more out of a simple little gift than a more expensive one. Bargain shops often do cheap pressies, or book shops sometimes do deals on more than one book. I think these days most people are aware that lots of people don't have huge amounts of money to spend.

[happyyonisleepyyoni]

The Book People sell sets of 10 books for a tenner, great for cheap pressies.

[VashtaNerada]

Yes, don't spend more than you can afford. They get so any presents at these things, it only needs to be a token - a colouring book or a box of maltesers or something.

[Thumbwitch]

I do think that it's a bit unfair, just because they're all having their do on the same day - if they were spread out, you'd pay the same amount as normal on their presents, wouldn't you?

But OTOH, if you can get reasonable presents for maybe £3-4 each, then do that. It does get expensive very quickly.

[Tangerinefairy]

I second the Book People or Pound Land. I've got some lovely things from there when I want to get little pressies for my class or small gifts for friends etc.

[creampie]

Thanks everyone. I've found some nice stuff on amazon in the add-on bits so have got some things for £3-4 which, hopefully, don't look too stingy!

It gets soooo expensive!