What’s your approach to other kids’ birthday presents?

[Rainallnight]

If your DC has been invited to their birthday party?

DD is in Year 1 and after no parties last year, the invitations are now coming in thick and fast.

For my own friends, I’m pretty thoughtful when it comes to presents and put a lot of effort into finding something that will really suit the person I’m giving it to.

But this doesn’t seem sustainable for all these school friend parties. For instance, DD has a party coming up soon with a boy I don’t know well at all. I thought about texting his mum to ask what he’s in to, but she doesn’t want that from the dozen people attending!

So do you just get something sort of generic?

Yep. Something age suitable and budget suitable!

Amazon vouchers for the ones that my kids don't know that well.

I think at that age you chance your arm because they're still finding out what they like. The more difficult one is when their parents say they're into something specific as you don't know what they already have!!

I ask DS1 what so-and-so likes to play with at school and usually get fairly useful answers like "fairies" "drawing" "superheroes" and then I get something related from the 2 for £15 at Argus.

I used to get a few of something on special offer. So Hama beads, a book, that sort of thing.

Money in a card

I'm annoying and I do message the mum as I wouldn't want to give a present that was not wanted and sometimes vouchers can cause a faff. I'm going against the grain here but I've always found a "hi I'm Cube's mum. We are delighted to come to the party! Is there anything DD/DS needs or would really like? Also happy to put money in a card or donate to a cause if that's a better idea! Thanks!" text to be really appreciated. I've never, ever had a single parent not reply to a message like that and it's always been really helpful. I do not want to waste money, time or the opportunity to buy something helpful instead of plastic tat or a voucher that gets used on someone else.

Yes, @TeaWithTwoCubes2, I really hate the idea of getting something that will just become part of someone’s crap pile and then end up in landfill

£10 in a card always seemed to go down well.

Would you do that for little kids like the 5 and 6 year olds?

@Rainallnight

Yes, *@TeaWithTwoCubes2*, I really hate the idea of getting something that will just become part of someone’s crap pile and then end up in landfill

If they don't want it you will probably find they regift it at the next children's party :)

My budget was normally £5 and I would ask for ideas if I had none. Better to get something they might like rather than something useless.

I started a thread about this recently.

In an ideal world (obviously in my Opinion) there should be a no present policy for class parties! It’s made that over the course of a year that would be almost 1000 presents!!!!

If that wasn’t an option I would like to spend £5 on a second hand toy/book

If that’s not an option I would prefer to give money!

Thankfully, whole class parties aren’t the fashion here!

I always get the kid that's invited to choose the present. It's their friend, they know what they like.

Money in a card. Every time.

I always gave lego.

I always had a present draw. It was full of items I bought when I saw things on offer.
I then let my child choose something from the draw for the birthday child.

I would either text the parent, put money in a card or go for something that can be used up or books. I wouldn't buy any toys/plastic stuff/bulky items.

I wish we did away with presents. My daughter is going to have a party in a few weeks and I'd really love everyone to either give nothing or put a pound coin in so she can choose one present from all her friends.

I think money in a card for a 6 year old is a dreadful present.

On every level. It's lazy, the child has no capacity to spend it. Sending the birthday child's parent to the shops to buy your present for you.

I just would not bother.

Money £10
and sweets.

@Mum45678

I wish we did away with presents. My daughter is going to have a party in a few weeks and I'd really love everyone to either give nothing or put a pound coin in so she can choose one present from all her friends.

Put that on the invitation and your dream can become reality!

My DD just started school in September and the amount of party invites she's had already has been a surprise. I have a budget of about £10 and usually get something like crafts, play doh sets or activity books. If the party invites have a character or a theme on them then it at least gives me a hint at what they might like!

They're only 4 and 5 and in reception though so quite easy to find something fairly generic.

I have just had my daughters party, I was happy to answer the texts, I will do the same but my daughter can be quite good at picking things out. Also I suggested stuff from a new craze which my daughter wanted - so we didn't have anything already.

If I don't text, I go for books, something useable like stationary on the latest craze my daughter says they are into - ie a 2nd LOL notebooks won't go to waste.

I also have a present box, special offers, doubles previously received etc.