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?

My DD just turned 7 and her most favourite gift was a Smyths gift card. She spent ages looking round and browsing before choosing something.

How hard can this be? I can think of 50 things.

🔹️Colouring book and felt tips - good quality ones
🔹️Personalised pencil case with funky pen.
🔹️Plant pot with sunflower seeds
🔹️A story book
🔹️Skipping rope - nice quality

My kids loved having birthday money to spend at 6 Loved going to restinpeace ToysRUs for a mooch after school and choosing something.

I used to get things in the sales. Hair clips and nice wooden necklaces from Monsoon. PJs, or a hat and glove set from H&M/Next.

@GADDay That wasn’t the question. Read the OP.

My kids get mcdonalds vouchers from their aunt and the love them.
I keep them in the car and they love paying...

We may decide on gifts or clothes for close friends and family but otherwise we just tend to gift £15 vouchers. Most parties we've been to had 20/30+ guests and I don't want to waste money on something they don't like or gets duplicated.
Plus kids seem to receive way too much stuff these days from family, grandparents anyway, they don't end up playing with half the stuff! I even tell family now to just give DC clothes vouchers / money towards day out tickets etc as the toys would just be piling up!!

Books

Money isn't bad at all. DS 5 got some money from his party and at his age, a total of £15 had him over the moon that he was rich!

Made the mistake of asking the Mum of a child DD didn’t know that well. She linked me something that was £30 and said her DD would love that and she’d put me down for it.

I messaged back and said it was slightly over budget and was there anything around the £10 mark perhaps and she linked something for £15 which I brought. She has blanked me on the school run ever since!

I had to actively end up saying pleeeeeease so stationary on invitations we were given so much. So I disagree it’s as easy as buying a pencil case or felt tips. Mine are older now but money or a voucher was always appreciated.

Generic Lego

My little boys is 4 and we always get school party friends, a decent picturebook, some crayola twistables and some kinder eggs!

3rd child here and after many years and lots of duplicate and unplayed with gifts I would consider money in a card. It's the done thing for around age 9 and overs here anyway but I know my 6yo would love to get £5 in a card and save it up or enjoy spending it. Win win, no tat and can go towards something they really want.

£5 in a card for kid at school who we don't really know- always.

Yeah mine did too. I objected to having to take responsibility for buying somebody else's present and would have preferred to receive just the card.

For me gift giving is more about being thoughtful than convenience.

I’m afraid I didn’t worry that much about it. It might have been something like a book or small Lego kit with some sweets.
Grow your own Dino egg or slime or something from Entertainer. Usually spent 6/7 quid maybe 10 if a closer friend.
My DD’s had all sorts and sometimes not things they would be totally into but all gratefully received.

@GADDay

Yeah mine did too. I objected to having to take responsibility for buying somebody else's present and would have preferred to receive just the card.

For me gift giving is more about being thoughtful than convenience.

Imo, avoiding giving my daughter tat and duplicate IS thoughtful. It was her 7th birthday recently, and my heart sank with all the pens she was given, and pencil cases. She has so many already.

Never put money in unless for teenage relatives. I find it really crass to give to a primary school aged child. Tend to go with what’s on offer at the supermarket, Smiggle sale, Lego and sweets etc. and always have a few girl/boy gifts in. Also buy cards at the start of the year from Whistlefish so lots to choose from.

My daughter is in year 2. These days I ask the child's parent for a suggestion. I include a gift receipt so they can exchange if needs be. Or I put a tenner in a card.

I was really pleased recently when a party invite came with an amazon wishlist. I chose a £10 gift but bought it elsewhere.

Fiver in a card.

As someone else said upthread, I always get Lego. Great for both girls and boys, have an age guide on them, I don't know a single kid that doesn't like Lego and (bonus) my local supermarket always has small affordable sets in the toy aisle.

I give DC friends the amount of money in a card as they are years old... yep, it's a little dull but at least they can put it towards something they actually want!