FIVE gifts to buy... no money in the budget. HELP!!

[bonitagbchica]

Right... my kids are little social butterflies and have been invited to 5 events..

1. Neighbours 1st birthday/ Christening
   -was thinking money for his CTF from the whole family

2. Double birthday party
   -two girls, one party... should I split the normal £10 allowance b/t the two? Is that rude?

3)Son's best friend at school
-this is the day after party 2... eek!

4. Another neighbour's party, has invited both kids, should they both get the one child a pressie?

5)Another DD's friends party
-again, the day after party 4

6. There is one more, but I can't remember who for... but these are all this month!

In our budget, I can just about afford £5 per birthday party... but that only buys a card and something not very popular...

Any ideas?

Cheers in advance!

A. x

Make cards instead of buying them - get the kids to do it
go to the works, supermarkets for cheaper toys
use tesco etc vouchers or boots advantage points

1. Don't give cash, you have to spend more than you want to so you don't look mean. Just get a nice book, a toy or a top or something. Spend £5 imo. They are 1, they don't care!

2.Split it but try to maximise the amount of present you get for your money so it looks like more.

1. If there is a party, then yes. If no party what would they normally do for your son?

4.No, get one present from both children.

5&6. Yes get one.

Get the cards from cheapie card shop, you can pick up 5 for £1 that kind of thing, no-one pays attention to the card and look for offers. Argos do them I think. Good luck!

I know this doesn't help you now but I buy generic presents in the sales to help costs down and it saves a last minute present buying rush.

Get to the charity shop esp if thinking of books. I have bought lots which look like they've never been touched, much less read, by anyone.

If the girls you have to buy for are old enough Claires Accessories, Peacocks, Primark, New Look should be able to inspire for very little cash. They often have BOGOF's too. And they've still got dregs of sale left!

Card Facotry do 5 or 7 cards for £1 - not sure which it is but whatever it is still a bargain.

Look on here for presents - bargaintastic

Can you make something homemade for some of the gifts? Cookies, cake or perhaps some bath salts or playdough

I am a bit shocked that £10 is the price for party presents though. £5-7 is acceptable around here.

Get them all books. The book people have them way cheaper than the high street shops. Plus you can split the packs they do and still have a decent present per child. If you spend £25 with them delivery is free.

You don't say how old the children are but these may work for you...

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=150372

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?mpe_id=63134&fromPage=home&catalogId=10051&productId=214956&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=145543&langId=100&storeId=10001&ddkey=http:ClickInfo

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=185695

And cards don't need to be that much. Tesco do Value cards for like 35p each. And you can get cheaper than that if you shop around. The kids don't care about the cards, not like they're going to keep them. Only one I might spend a little more on is the christening card if you think the mum will keep it.

Definitely get your cards from Card Factory. All other card shops are a complete rip-off. I got loads of relatives' ones there are Christmas and it came to a fraction of what it would have cost in Clintons.
Or the Value supermarket ones are good, as someone said. You don't have to get a specific age card, I dont' think. The kid won't notice, as like others have said, they don't notice the card, only the present!

Shop around for your wrapping paper too.

Do you have time to use amazon? They deliver swiftly and for free if you buy from them, rather than one of their traders. There is a facility to search toys at a particular price - you'd be shocked what might be going for a song.

You would be able to get any number of fab dvd's for under a fiver and free delivery from Amazon. I know this as I just ordered Home On The Range for the DC's as they kept seeing a trailer for it on one of their other dvd's and really wanted to see it. I think it's a fair few years old now, but was something like £4.50. But there are loads that are less.

A good tip is always buy toys in the sale. I have a top shelf with some fab hot wheels toys for boys and barbie stuff for girls that I ordered in boots xmas sale. We get a birthday every other week round here, so I need to be prepared and on budget! Good luck - it's VERY doable, imo, without looking like you've skimped.

Thank you everyone for your fabulous advice! It made me realize that I don't have to spend a fortune on my kids' school friends! I regifted a money box for the neighbour's little boys christening pressie, and then gave the kids a £5 budget for each of their friends. I broke out the glitter paints and items for sticking on and made some very personal and fabulous birthday cards tonight with the kids... inexpensive AND fun! =-D

Thanks again everyone.