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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fiver parties

125 replies

Ninjafox · 07/01/2019 23:21

I've just been reading about fiver parties and wondered what other people think?

Part if me thinks, yeah I'd stick a fiver in a card rather than the mission to find a reasonably priced gift that I'm not sure birthday child wants. BUT the Brit in me is recoiling in horror at the idea of asking other parents to give my child cash in order to reimburse the big gift I'd bought my child.Thoughts?

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 07/01/2019 23:23

Never heard of a 'fiver party' what does it entail?

Redskyandrainbows67 · 07/01/2019 23:24

In our school another parent sets up a collection for you

milkysmum · 07/01/2019 23:25

Do you mean stick a fiver in a card for kids party rather than a present? Very common occurance where I am.

MapMyMum · 07/01/2019 23:26

Its not normally to reimburse the parents but for the child to put it all together and buy more presents with it! It is the done thing where I am

Original poster
Ninjafox · 07/01/2019 23:27

In a nutshell its where the parents say (on the invite)don't bring a present, just stick a fiver in a card and we'll put it towards little Jimmy's bike and present it to him at the party and say it's from all of his friends and family.

OP posts:
Thewifipasswordis · 07/01/2019 23:28

@ninjafox that's a nice idea though?

DryHeave · 07/01/2019 23:29

Fivers are a nightmare to get hold of. Will they take a bank transfer instead?

yodelsay · 07/01/2019 23:30

Our school does a pound per year of life in a card so £5 for 5th bday, £6 for 6th bday etc. Works great.

Original poster
Ninjafox · 07/01/2019 23:30

I'm not saying it's wrong, I actually wouldn't mind doing it, just hate the idea of asking for money I suppose. Just wondering others opinions and whether it's something I should just get over

OP posts:
minipie · 07/01/2019 23:30

I think it’s a brilliant idea. Far more sensible and less wasteful than loads of £5
-£10 presents some of which will be duplicates, some never played with etc

minipie · 07/01/2019 23:31

As long as it’s not seen as compulsory. The party giver shouldn’t buy a big gift in reliance on receiving the money iyswim

MarthasGinYard · 07/01/2019 23:33

I couldn't do that

Personally think it's pretty bad form

howonearthdoyoucopewith3 · 07/01/2019 23:34

Not the done thing where we are. It seems a bit joyless to me for little kiddies! My children like seeing what their specific friends get them.

SuziQ10 · 07/01/2019 23:37

I sometimes stick £5 or £10 in a birthday card for kids parties. Always feel bad doing it as it generally means I don't know them well enough to choose a gift they'd like OR I can't be bothered to go shopping for it.
Didn't know it's was a thing !! Nothing against the idea at all.

SisterOfDonFrancisco · 07/01/2019 23:37

I like that system as long as it's flexible.

arranbubonicplague · 07/01/2019 23:42

Never heard of it but sounds sensible for those whom it suits.

RosemarysBabyDress · 07/01/2019 23:42

I would find it rude to ask!
of course most parents buy a birthday gift, but it's not mandatory, and some might just get a book from the poundshop.
It would slightly less rude to mention no gift please, but SMALL contributions to a main gift prefered.

As long as the parents hosting don't reciprocate by giving a party bag full of plastic tat at the end of the party

HerRoyalNotness · 07/01/2019 23:42

Yep I’d much prefer this way of doing things

ChubRubTheStruggleIsReal · 07/01/2019 23:46

Cash is fine if you’re stuck for time/if your a normal disorganised family with a million things going on...
We give £their-age eg if they are turning 11, they get £11.
To be fair, my dd would much prefer this so she can have a day out to spend it on a large purchase she has wanted for ages- one year she bought a massive hutch for her guinea pigs! Much better than plastic tat!

LonelyAmongUs · 07/01/2019 23:46

When you said fiver parties, I imagined a virile manifestation of the divine thrusting his g-string at me whilst I lasciviously dangled fivers at him. What a disappointment this turned out to be.

Propertywoe · 07/01/2019 23:47

They don’t ask for a fiver where I am just cash instead of present. I do not mind giving cash but I know quite a few parents who rely on buying items in the sale that look more expensive so do not spend out of their budget or re gift. I would hate to think a child couldn’t attend a party I organised as the parent didn’t have the cash.

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 07/01/2019 23:47

I'd much rather a fiver in a card than lots of presents that get looked at once then are just clutter.

I'd also much rather stick a fiver in a card than go looking for a present!

I also like getting or giving a scratchcard in a card for adults too Blush

Mrsmadevans · 07/01/2019 23:47

Brilliant idea !

Original poster
Ninjafox · 07/01/2019 23:48

Maybe I need to wait until it's the done thing here, then just stick 'fiver party' on the invite rather than be the person who introduces the system WinkGrin

OP posts:
DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 07/01/2019 23:48

I wouldn’t specify it as a parent inviting children to a party but when DD is invited to one I put a pound per year in the card.

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