Nursery friends birthday present

[HalloHello]

We have our first birthday party of a nursery friend this weekend! All very exciting but now I'm worrying about what to buy for her present!

How much do I spend? What do I buy? I don't even know what a good present for a 4 year old is! My daughter loves paw patrol, minnie mouse and Barbie but who knows what others like! Help!

(Yes I am an overthinker and want to do everything right)

The best presents mine would get at that age were sticker books, colouring books and pencils, they were always the most used here. Also, the little mini play dough sets; if they still do them, we had those for a few years and they got lots of play from them.

I was spending around £5 on a present (my daughter is 4 at preschool) but I’ve upped it to £10 after we had her birthday and I realised everyone was spending much more than me!! Some of the presents were at least £20 e.g. beautiful play tea set. I can’t afford that so now I do a couple of sticker dress up books and some glitter pens, which comes to around £10. Plus a card (with a badge!) which DD scribbles her name in!

Bath bombs

And just ask the parents what the kid would like

Go to a supermarket or somewhere like H&M and buy a t-shirt in the next size up (5-6) for no more than £5. Gifts that can be worn or used up e.g. travel sized sticker books were always my go-to for classmates my DC didn't have other ideas for.

Yes I wondered about a wee t-shirt or dress! I also love those sticker dress up books, thanks! Going to go to B&M tomorrow and then Asda see what I can find!
I can't ask parents as I don't know them, all still socially distanced, staggered pick ups and no one talks at pick up, just had to RSVP from the invite back to Nursery!

Go to The Works and buy 10 books for £10 or 3 for £5 depending on which offer is on and then go to card factory and buy cheap generic birthday cards.

Keep in the cupboard and give one of each as presents for all upcoming nursery birthday parties.

You don’t know this child, a token gift is fine. Im

Magic water painting books

The usual spend is £5-7; I used to get a couple of things - say a book or two from The Works (they do kids’ books for £1-2); plus something like a craft set or soft toy. Flying Tiger has some great stuff perfect for that age. Rex London does great sale items for girls too. Argos often does a 2 for £15 toy promotion which is great for kids’ birthday presents.

Good ideas for that age:

• beanie boo TY keyring (girls 4-8 love them)
• Cute nightlight - I used to get a bunny or swan one from Rex London when they were on sale
• Playmobil set - there’s a bunny hutch one for about £6-7 which my DD much appreciated when she received it
• fluffy or sequinned notebooks and coloured pencils
• jewellery or bead kits
• aquabeads kits
• Lego Friends mini sets or the 4+ Lego City ones
• little bags - one year I got a bunch of Cath Kidston mini kids’ bags in their sale for £8 each which made great presents for DD’s friends.

We have a nursery party next weekend.. I got her a "twisty petz" for £4.99 from B&M. Also just seen they do them on amazon for same price. My friend has got her a Fingerling from Matalan which was reduced to £5.

Ooh twisty pets looks ace, my daughter would love that! Thanks!

I spend about £5 either on a busy book or a t-shirt and then put a £5 note in the card.