Would you buy each child a present?

[GA2012]

DD has been invited to a birthday party. On the invite it states that the party is a joint party for her friends birthday and also her little brother who’s not school age yet.

Despite not knowing her little brother and assuming he’s invited pre school age children too whom he will receive gifts from do I need to buy both of them a present or just the little who in Dd’s class?

I don’t mind buying two but not sure it’s necessary?

Interested to know what others would think..

No just the invitee DC. These parties are a disaster if one DC gets a lot of gifts from her guest list in comparison to the other.

I would just buy for your daughter’s friend

I’d give a present to your Daughter’s friend and perhaps a card and some sweets or chocolate for the little one. I don’t think the Mum will be expecting double presents as they will both have friends invited.

I would get for the child that invited you (or children if you know them all). I have done joint parties and wouldn't expect gifts for both children from all guests. For this reason I don't tell guests it's a joint party, unless they know both children.

My older DC have close birthdays and I did joint parties until dd was at school...never expected gifts for both of them tbh, unless the invite was for siblings, one for ds and one for dd IYSWIM. Even then I didn't expect gifts but YKWIM.

So in your situation op I would just buy for the girl you know.

Present for friend a small gift for brother would be nice but not really necessary if you do buy him one couple of pound tops .

I would only get a child for your DD's friend. Her little brother will have invited his own friends and they will bring gifts for him.

I've been in this situation a few times - my understanding is that it is definitely not expected of you to get gifts for the other birthday children. (However I normally do, a small thing)

I would get a present for the child in my daughter's class and a small token present for the little brother. Maybe colouring book and pencils or a box of maltesers. I couldn't turn up empty handed for one of the birthday children but if I was on a tight budget I would spend a little less on the main birthday child to accommodate the extra expense.

Proper gift for friend. A cheap token gift for the brother

I'd just have got something for the friend, and assumed brother would have presents from his friends.

DD went to a soft play party which was joint for four boys in her class - whole class invited. The parents very sensibly put on the invitations to just get one gift, and they would divide them up between the boys. Nobody needs 30 presents.

I'd get a gift for DDs friend and sweets or something for the brother.

Buy for both

I'd probably do this if my DC had birthdays close together. Although I would do the party as a mixed gathering of family and older DC friends. I wouldn't expect a present for the younger one but if you can afford it then I think it's a nice thing to do.

I would give a token present for the younger one, just a pound or two.

We have joint parties for our children. I’d never assumed both were to get gifts and wanted to write something about it on the invite but then was worried it would look grabby talking about gifts.