Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Kids "party" in the park gift etiquette

104 replies

Crunchymum · 08/06/2022 09:17

Few kids from DC1 class invited to a party, parents mentioned date in passing, all good. Invitations say its at a local park, all good. I rsvp'd (was asked to).

What is the gift situation? Usually for parties I do a £10 token (book / cinema) but quite frankly this doesn't feel like a proper party to me? It's literally a few boys being invited to the park opposite the kids house to run around for a few hours and a cake?

Do you think a fiver in a card will be alright?

OP posts:
notacooldad · 08/06/2022 09:18

I’d say so OP

Original poster
Crunchymum · 08/06/2022 09:18

I realise this is an incredibly first world problem.

OP posts:
Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 08/06/2022 09:19

I would still give the £10

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General relationships
CeeceeBloomingdale · 08/06/2022 09:19

I’d treat it the same as any other party, £10 equivalent if that’s your norm.

Hoppinggreen · 08/06/2022 09:20

I don’t see why it should make a difference what the party itself involves, unless your gift reflects the value you think you are getting
Having said that £5 is fine in general if that’s your budget

IncompleteSenten · 08/06/2022 09:20

What would you give if it was a party in their back garden with running around and cake?

Is it the fact it's a park rather than their garden that makes it feel like it's not a party or the fact it's just fun and cake rather than sandwiches etc?

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 08/06/2022 09:20

Or £5 and some choc

Moosake · 08/06/2022 09:21

I'd say £5 in a card is alright for any party. I don't think you should base the value of the gift on the value of the party experience. It's not fair on the less wealthy families.

DorotheaHomeAlone · 08/06/2022 09:21

This is a party. You feel that they’re not spending enough? Or stressing enough? Stop being weird and give whatever you’d usually give.

Squashedraddish · 08/06/2022 09:21

It’s still a proper party…

DialsMavis · 08/06/2022 09:21

I haven't ever given a present in return for what is provided, just what I can afford and maybe a bit of a bigger present for a really good friend of the DC. But I am sure a fiver would be fine, everyone loves cash.

AngelicaP · 08/06/2022 09:22

The gift is for the child. Are you saying you don't want to give £10 as you feel your child is not getting the moneys worth as it's in a park? Very odd take in my opinion.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 08/06/2022 09:22

I'm not sure if the amount of money or effort spent on the party should be the deciding factor.

But, in general, anything between £5 and £10 is usual. So your fiver in a card will be fine.

Johnnysgirl · 08/06/2022 09:25

Ah, give the kid the same present you'd give any other kid who had a "proper" party, fgs!
Imagine having your gifts downgraded because your party was deemed to be substandard...

SmallElephants · 08/06/2022 09:26

I feel a bit sad at this!! We’ve done a few park parties and have another coming up for DD’s 6th. I put a lot of effort into party food, games, party bags etc. stressing about shelter and weather forecasts. Just because we don’t have a garden, is that somehow less of a party?
mind you there’s more of a culture in my area of park parties so it is understood.
I think you should do the same as you do for other parties.

Sally872 · 08/06/2022 09:26

I would give the usual present.

Fiver in a card fine so is £10 voucher but it doesnt depend on the party venue.

TwoBlueFish · 08/06/2022 09:27

You treat it the same as any other party.

SoupDragon · 08/06/2022 09:27

Does the type of party really dictate what sort of gift you give a child? Give what you would normally give.

MobLife · 08/06/2022 09:28

It's a party. You have received an invite. You take a gift.

Would be interested to know what your view as a 'proper party' for a child?

MidwichCuckoo · 08/06/2022 09:29

It would make no difference to the amount I spent. The kid isn't less worthy because they haven't had an expensive party

MidwichCuckoo · 08/06/2022 09:30

Why have you put party in inverted commas?

IDontDrinkTea · 08/06/2022 09:32

I would give whatever you normally give. The cost of everything is rising astronomically, this may be all the parent can afford right now. So perhaps you should be less judgey that it’s not a “proper” party 🙄 the children will have fun together and celebrate, that’s the main thing

DSGR · 08/06/2022 09:35

I can’t believe you’re even asking this. It’s not for anyone to judge what a “proper” party is. You don’t go to parties to make sure you get your money’s worth.
it’s a party - give what you would normally give

nomistake · 08/06/2022 09:35

Do you only give presents to people on their birthday when they have a party?

Cleothecat75 · 08/06/2022 09:35

My ds is a bit old for parties now, but I can’t imagine inviting half a dozen 7 year old boys round to our house and letting them run round the garden for a couple of hours - our garden is tiny and the neighbours would have been cursing having to throw the ball back so often after the lads would have kicked it over for the umpteenth time! The park sounds like a perfect compromise, birthday child gets a party, friends get to meet up and play together.

if you normally give £10, the venue of the party shouldn’t matter. The present is not payment for your invitation.