to not send ds with a gift?

[Nabuma]

Stuck at home with a poorly dd. Ds due to go to a laser party later, a friends 11th birthday. He's luckily getting a lift with his friend so I don't have to worry about getting there and back. But I forgot to get a card and gift as have been preoccupied with my youngest being ill and I can't go out now to pick something up. The birthday girl's actual birthday isn't until 1st Aug (sat) so I can get her a card and some cash (that seems the preferred gift at their age now) and pop it in the post.
So, aibu to send him empty handed to the party and tell him to tell his friend to keep an eye on the post on saturday?

I would, you have good reason.

or claim the child forgot to pick up the card!

Can he make a pretend gift voucher with a note inside? Or print something off from the Internet?

YANBU the friend won't care, they will be too preoccupied at the laser place and you can't exactly go out due to your ill child.

I think that's absolutely fine, OP.

I think that's fine.

He might find it a bit embarrassing to turn up with nothing. Have you spoken to him about it?
He could make a card,and write in it "pressie to follow", unless you have cash available to put in it ( assuming you don't otherwise you wouldn't have said you'd post it later.)

Personally, I'd make your DS print something nice off the Internet by way of a card substitute, fold it up and pop inside whatever amount of cash you were planning to give. Quick, inexpensive and saves having to go empty handed and sending cash over the post!

Is there not a local shop he can pop to himself and buy a card for her? Then pop in cash or a cheque.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. He's colouring in a comic book colouring book (good quality paper-it's one of those adult ones) and is taking that with a happy birthday note on the back. I would send him to the corner shop but I've got no cash. she doesn't live far away and if dd is feeling better we should be actually be going past her house on her birthday so might give her a gift in person as that's more thoughtful. Don't really want to send cash in the post, thinking on it.