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Original poster

Birthday gift for DS’s nursery friend?

26 replies

Jisforjelly · 04/03/2022 10:09

My 3 year old DS has just been invited to his first birthday party by one of the children at his nursery.
I don’t know the child or the parents. Obviously we’ll need to get a gift but what? We haven’t got a lot of disposable income so something too expensive would be out of the question unfortunately. Any ideas? I’m going to head to B&M bargains at the weekend.

OP posts:
Lindaloo08 · 04/03/2022 10:13

I'd get a cinema/toy shop voucher or where I'm from it's fiver in a card (euro), I would rather they put the fiver towards something they are looking for than give stuff that'll be in the way or go in the bin.

Roseandrose20 · 04/03/2022 10:14

I always go for a puzzle!

Joinedforthis22 · 04/03/2022 10:30

Can you text the parents and ask them what they are into? That's what I did when I didn't know the child/parents. Assume there is a phone number on the invite.

DoucheCanoe · 04/03/2022 10:32

£5 in a card and/or a couple of tubs of Playdoh if you want to give something physical.

ohidoliketobe · 04/03/2022 10:45

Wooden jigsaw, or a new story book (asda do 2 for £7 on children's books, and the works do really good deals too 10 for £10/£15 - I usually stock up on a few for emergency presents).

Duracellbunnywannabe · 04/03/2022 10:46

Orchard game is my go to at that age.

Rory1234 · 04/03/2022 10:47

You can get great craft kits for £5 and under in Tesco, if you have a bigger store near you

WorraLiberty · 04/03/2022 10:47

I used to put money in a card and when other parents did it for my DCs birthdays, it was great because they could get what they really wanted.

rainyskylight · 04/03/2022 10:49

Agree - a book or a puzzle, for £5-£7. Don’t overthink it!

Chasingaftermidnight · 04/03/2022 10:55

Yeah my standard go-tos are a book (with a gift receipt in case they’ve already got it), or a puzzle, or a colouring book and pack of felt tips.

Happenchance · 04/03/2022 10:56

Nothing messy. I would get a book for a slightly older child. Their parents can read it to them and they're less likely to already have it.

Georgieporgie29 · 04/03/2022 11:04

I would probably put £5 in a card if you can afford it. If not a book/jigsaw/colouring book something along those lines for a couple of pounds, you can always add a packet of sweets or similar

Rory1234 · 04/03/2022 11:19

I have to admit I always prefer presents such as craft kids or similar so that the stuff comes into the house and goes out again rather than requiring storage space Grin

theruffles · 04/03/2022 11:45

A book is a good idea and very cheap from the Works or even from a charity shop if it looks in good condition. My go-to is a set of rainbow kinetic sand from Amazon (£8)

buzzandwoodyallday · 05/03/2022 13:47

Sticker books from Home Bargains. They're 89p each. A couple of those would be fine.

CowboyJo · 05/03/2022 13:49

A cheap little toy in the Works? Nothing grand.

notforonesecond · 05/03/2022 13:59

I buy everyone a set of those Stabilo felt tips that have a ring through the lids. Amazing for taking out because you can’t lose the lids. Every home should have a set.

That and a cheapo colouring book is my go to for that age.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019DM43NA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NV1C13DNM3BPJEA3JEAH?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Caterinasballerinas · 05/03/2022 14:00

I was going to come and say an orchard toys game, they are great and fairly compact

bluesapphire48 · 13/05/2022 19:23

A ball is always a good choice for a toy. And having more than one ball is never a problem.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 13/05/2022 19:28

You’re ideally placed to answer your own question as you have a child the same age! What does your son enjoy? Buy similar.

Spiider · 13/05/2022 19:31

I always go for an orchard toys game (whatever is on offer). They do some nice small games for around a fiver.

Barkingmadhouse · 13/05/2022 19:44

Books or the character bowling sets from tesco

DockOTheBay · 13/05/2022 19:47

I wouldn't spend more than a fiver to be honest.
Sticker books, colouring book and pens, playdoh, puzzle, small duplo or playmobil set. Whatever you spot that your child would like, they'll probably like too.

2MinuteRice · 13/05/2022 19:58

Not a solution for now but we tend to keep gifts that the kids have been given as doubles.
Also buy a few bits in the right age ranges when they are on offer (same goes for wrapping paper & cards).
We tend to not have to buy much for the kids friends anymore. They go and choose from the birthday drawer.

Older kids are less than enamoured now but it worked with all of them at one point and youngest is still excited by the choice! Grin

Each child also has a bag of 'goodies', can be chocolate, sweets, box of choc etc. They tend to be really nice and we just ration them a bit as we have a lot of friends and family buying similar things.

Teenager is quite grateful when she has forgotten a birthday and can take stuff into school as a gift. Even if she needs to negotiate what with her siblings. It's fun to watch HaloGrin

ChocolateHippo · 13/05/2022 19:58

Book
Travel crayons (the ones that wind down and have a case)
Jellybaff
Dinosaur car

There are lots of gifts for that age group which don't cost the earth.