Presents for kids parties on a budget

[KitandPup]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

DD has just started reception and the party invitations are coming in thick and fast. We have some money issues at the moment and it is getting v expensive!

Any ideas of presents on a budget please?

I was thinking of buying a multipack of books from The Book People and splitting them? Or is that tight? Stock up when Argos have an offer?

Does anyone have any good ideas?

Tia

Do you have a home bargains or b and m bargains near you they have loads of stuff for a few pounds I got so.e bits to go in friends Christmas presents stuff like avenger jigsaw for £3 , Peppa pig memory game £3 they had loads of other characters too and also have play dough little sets and under a fiver. Loads of crafts stuff. I think you will easily get what you need at these sort of shops

Hobbycraft seem to have Multi buy offers on kids craft stuff (e.g. Suncatchers) might be worth looking at their website as they do deliver if there isn't one near you.

I’ve often pickthings up in homebargains. I spend no more than £5. The book people idea is a good one, a book and a box of malteasers will be a winner.

At our school everyone contributes £5 to a collection. The birthday child then can buy something they choose or a larger present can be bought. It's loads less organising for everyone..love it.

Homebargains has great presents and I normally spend anywhere between £2-£6.

£5 per party is a lot if money is tight.

Book people is a good idea, I would pair something with it, I've done colouring books with felt tips or a nice pen or some sweets (try poundland) . Should cost £3 or less.

Here is the link to the suncatchers multi buy, could always add in something else, but my dd (4) enjoys them and I wouldn't think anything if she just got that from one of her preschool friends.

www.hobbycraft.co.uk/kids-party-animal-suncatcher-favours-set-5-pack/612976-1000

At nursery/reception age I used to pick up reduced toys when I saw them for a 'party box' and would pick gifts out of there.

The Christmas bargain thread is great for recommendations of cheap websites eg toysforapound and rex of London or character.com are all good if you can afford to spend 20-30 in one go to build up a stash of generic gifts.

We’ve split book people multi packs but then also got a small toy - ideally something that encouraged imaginative play - to go with the book. It was a bit more effort but not too dear and felt like a more fun gift. Eg:

• book about a farm plus cow glove puppet,
• book about robots plus small meccano type set,
• book about fairies plus pair of fairy wings or wand
• book about a pirate plus felt hat and eyepatch

The book usually works out at about £1, I can usually get a suitable toy or accessory for £3-£5 (I have split dressing up hat multipacks and puppet multipacks in the past as sometimes you can get something nicer that way).

I recently bought these. The tubs are big - about the size of a yankee candle, DD sits for hours with hers. Works out under 2.50 per tub, and one really is sufficient. Could add a little pack of sweets if you wanted.

The book people idea is always a winner. Baker Ross do craft multipack sets that you split too.

I think I would cry if even half the invitees to a party added sweets though. That’s a lot of sweets for one child.

I quite often go to wilkos and buy a few craft things can get things for a £1 and it doesn’t matter what toy preferences the child has, craft stuff is always going to get used, well it does in this house !

Get organised and buy in the sales for your present drawer.

I did the Book People multi packs when DD was that age for the same reason. I spent £10 on a Where's Wally collection a few year's ago. That did for every party she went to for some time.

A box of Malteasers will be just fine on its own. I would prefer that to cheap plastic presents that just end up broken and in landfill. And the child will be very happy!!

If you are starting to panic a bit, turn down a few party invites.

DS is 7yo and none of his class gets arsey with 'i'm not inviting you to my party' or 'X went to Y's party - why didn't i go?' type stuff. Absolutely drama-free.

And similar to a pp ^ everyone gives the parent of birthday child €5 and that parent buys something decent. It is all organised via whatsapp, so 'Z would love these rollerblades' we chip in our fiver, parent has enough to cover rollerblades, plus maybe the protection too or rucksack to carry ot all in.

Win win win!

But pleaee don't be afraid to say no to the odd invite - we have done this for a handful over the years: because we're going through a stressful time at home; or we have foreign visitors; or DS hates that soft play place; both of us were working; we had a newly adopted dog who couldn't be left, erc...

The Works do 10 books for £10 online

You could also buy multipacks of wooden animals and split them, bubbles etc

Love these suggestions. Thankyou so much everyone! I think I will go with some crafty bits and bubbles.