Can you be 'too cheap' for kids bday party gifts?

[Kab3042]

Dd has had 4 party invites from class mates between now and April. 2 are also joint parties with younger pre school or reception age siblings (Dd is year 2 if relevant). So not sure whether I need to get the sibling something too?!

Even with the classmates alone, it's 4 gifts. Potentially 6 if you get the for the siblings. Can you look too cheap?

I'm thinking nice colouring books. Aldi had some nice large colouring books for £1.99 this morning and some pencils or felt tips perhaps? So £3-4 each? Too tight? Home bargains also had colouring books for 90p.

we are struggling financially and have my older sons birthday in a few weeks then Dd's soon amongst everything else we have to pay for too.

Well I now feel like we have been overly generous. We have been spending £15-£20 per child. Including 1 day with 4 parties. Wasn't exactly intentional we just decided to stick to buying lego for everyone. Might go cheaper next year. Ironically our child isn't getting a party this year and with covid hasn't had one yet so it's not something we have had much experience with.

An easter egg idea is actually cool and I wouldn't buy for the siblings either. Coloring books and arts&crafts supplies are also great and if you do a Smartshow 3d birthday video then you'll be rocking it.

Don't buy for the sibling. And just give what you can afford. I would be totally cool with someone gifting my kid a £1.99 Aldi colouring book.

Homemade card with a picture drawn by your child would be great. Don’t stress about the present. Get what you can afford that you or your child think the birthday child would like. Round here the trend is for shared parties with people asked only to bring one present so the children get half - to be honest as a parent there is no way I want my child to have 30 presents to fit in their room - so small and consumable gets a thumbs up from me!

Easter Egg is a great low-cost idea!

Sounds absolutely fine. Colouring books are a great present.

@1000yellowdaisies

I wouldn't buy for the siblings. Cheap is fine if thats all you can afford but dont be upset when your son gets a load of £3 aldi stuff back in a few weeks time. I usually spend about £15 to 20 per child for their birthday and i think thats fair given they enjoy the party, there's usually a bouncy castle or activities, food and cake :)

What part of your comment do you think is helpful? The smiley face? I’m not sure exactly what you mean by what the OP can expect either. Is it your practice to go to the shops, price what your child received, and then give a gift of the same value? Really? I imagine at most parties there’s a range of gifts, but as I’m not vulgar enough to roam the shops pricing them I can’t say exactly what the average value might be.

A coloring book is a great present OP.

Def don’t buy for siblings

Most I spend is £5 unless a good close friend then a little more

You can get some lovely stuff from Amazon for £3/4

Colouring stuff or crafts always good

I miss Woolworths. Used to always got there for a game for £5

Having had parties in the past for both my boys, I can honestly say I don't remember who bought what after the day. (Made note for thank you texts) and certainly never gave a thought to how much it cost aside from one or two OTT gifts - it was the expensive ones that made us comment not the normal ones. And not in a good way - more a "wow that's lovely but far too much to spend" way.

Colouring books are fine. They want your presence not your presents.

I got a friend of DS a brilliant gift one year. They loved butterflies so I got them a kit where they could grow their own butterflies from caterpillars, and even put the postage for the caterpillars on the box. It wasn't cheap. I didn't even get a thank you. The child loved it as they talked about their butterflies a lot at school but not once did the child or the parents say thank you. Never again!!

We always buy books, usually from Asda which cost about £4

Why would you buy anything for the siblings?

Just buy for the birthday child. At least £5, here around £10 is the norm. If struggling make the most of 2 for 1 offers and sales, and have a collection of age appropriate gifts ready.

I think you can be too tight, yes, because the hosts are paying for the party and all the food/entertainment/party bags/prizes.

I always used to hope that whatever my children got, it would be "consumable" - sweets, colouring books, pens, play dough, bubble bath, paint. Things like that. Not something that I would have to store forever. £5 is more than enough.